Trade Groups Hold Court at LCT-NLA Show East

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The first industry association East Coast Forum coupled with various local and regional group breakfast meetings brought members together to discuss mutual issues and strategies to work together. The forum was held during the annual LCT-NLA Show East, Nov. 13-15, at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

Boards of directors and members from the Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ), Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA), and Florida Limousine Association (FLA) held breakfast meetings during the annual show.

Topics at the respective meetings centered on updates on TNC legislation in their respective states, as well as fighting other regulators’ fees and taxes that target the private transportation industry.

LANJ President Jason Sharenow (Broadway Elite Chauffeured Worldwide, East Hanover, N.J.) told more than 75 members and guests he expects a pending bill to regulate TNCs to pass when the legislature meets again. “We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we’re OK with what we got,” Sharenow said. Although the bill will provide stricter oversight and regulations for TNCs, mandatory fingerprinting background checks were not included.

On a winning note, Sharenow told members a bill to eliminate the 7% sales tax levied against limousine companies is gaining momentum after passing a legislative committee. Sharenow called out LANJ members Jon Epstein (Royal Coachman Worldwide, Denville, N.J.) and Pete Corelli (Lakeview Custom Coach) for “working tirelessly” to lobby and testify before legislators to get the bill going.

Fighting Philadelphia Parking Authority
More than 35 PRLA members and guests, including members of the Virginia Limousine Association, attended the group’s breakfast meeting held Nov. 15. PRLA President Steve Rhoads (Rhoads Limousine Service, Douglassville, Pa.) told members the association is fighting hard to stop a new Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) vehicle assessment that more than doubles the registration fee per vehicle from $404 to $868.

Rhoads said the association has petitioned a federal court to stop the assessment. The judge ruled in early November the hike will not be enforced until the PPA and PRLA meet to iron out the matter. The PRLA is waiting for the PPA to respond.

FLA Meeting
The Florida Limousine Association held its breakfast meeting Nov. 14 touching on a variety of issues and topics. FLA President Rick Versace told members the association is formulating its strategy for the upcoming legislative session to propose a measure that would require all ground transportation drivers for taxi, limo, and TNC to have fingerprint background checks.

Versace added the FLA may put together a chauffeur certification program, while members of the Long Island Limousine Association shared how their program works.

On a national note, Versace said the FLA is proposing to create a “Limousine Operator Appreciation Week,” culminating in National Limo Day. The idea will be discussed further to see if it can gain traction with the NLA and Congress.

Eastern Regional Forum
The first-ever Eastern Regional Forum drew a large crowd of East Coast association members to discuss issues of common concern and how both regional associations and the NLA can cooperate on issues effecting East Coast operators.

The forum panel included Mike Callahan, president of the New England Livery Association; Bill Goerl, president of the Long Island Limousine Association; Rhoads from the PRLA; and Sharenow of LANJ. NLA board of directors Jeff Greene (Greene Worldwide Transportation, Atlanta), and Andy Thompson (Rose Chauffeured Transportation, Charlotte, N.C.) moderated the panel.

The event also featured a legislative and election update from Louie Perry, Cornerstone Government Affairs, the NLA’s legislative consultant, and a presentation on how to deal with the media — as well combat TNCs through the media — by the NLA’s public relations firm, Evins.

Tom Halligan is LCT East Coast editor, based in Marlton, N.J. He travels regularly to industry association meetings in the eastern U.S. Tom can be reached at tom@lctmag.com.

Keywords

Florida Limousine Association   Jason Sharenow   Jeff Greene   LCT-NLA Show East   limo associations   Limousine Association of New Jersey   Louie Perry   Mike Callahan   New England Livery Association   Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association   Rick Versace   Steve Rhoads   Virginia Limousine Association   

 

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