GBTA Issues Statement On Paris Terrorist Attacks

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has issued a statement in response to the Paris attacks and pledged to work with governments, private industry and business travelers to ensure the future safety and security of the global travel system.

“The terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of more than a 120 innocent people and injured scores more are not just an assault on Paris, but on our modern way of life,” GBTA President Christle Johnson said. “On behalf of the Global Business Travel Association, let me express our deepest sympathies to the French people and to those directly affected by the attacks. We stand with the people of France today. French President François Hollande, understandably, has closed the borders of France, declared a state of emergency, and called for three days of mourning. As a result a number of travelers are stranded in France. As a strong and unified business travel industry, we will do everything we can to provide resources to these travelers in this time of need.”

“Over the next days and weeks, we will learn more about how these terrible attacks were planned and executed,” said Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO of GBTA. “GBTA stands ready to work with governments, private industry and business travelers to do everything within our power to ensure the future safety and security of our global travel system.”

U.S. Embassy security message

Keywords

business travel   corporate travel   GBTA   Global Business Travel Association   passenger safety   safety   

 

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Travel Industry Faces Risks After Terrorist Attacks

With the Syrian refugee crisis spreading and deepening, travelers could draw the conclusion that Europe, overall, is no longer safe. This would have serious consequences: a 2013 CNN survey found travelers were more likely to consider security and safety than any other factor in making travel choices.

Fortune Magazine article here

Keywords

business travel   corporate travel   international business   passenger safety   safety   

 

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ABA Urges Motorcoach Operators To Focus On Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the aftermath of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, France; U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies are urging all Americans to be vigilant and watchful.

The American Bus Association and the Bus Industry Safety Council are encouraging our members to review your security plans, and have your employees and passengers be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity they might see.

ABA press release here

Keywords

ABA   American Bus Association   buses   driver safety   motorcoaches   passenger safety   safety   security   

 

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St. Louis Taxi Drivers File Suit Against Uber

ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Four taxi drivers are suing Uber and seeking class-action status, alleging they’ve seen up to a 40 percent dip in business since the ride-hailing service began operating in violation of local regulations.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch article here

Keywords

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Reston Limo’s Kristina Bouweiri Named Volunteer Heroine

TYSONS CORNER, Va. — Reston Limousine’s CEO Kristina Bouweiri was named ‘Professional Services Heroine of Washington’ by the March of Dimes for her years of volunteer work and service to the community at the organization’s annual awards ceremony on Nov. 10, 2015 at The Ritz-Carlton in Tysons, according to a Reston Limousine announcement.

Reston Patch article here

Keywords

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Kenneth Boyar, Stretch Manufacturer, Dies At Age 74

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Kenneth Boyar, a longtime noted innovative manufacturer of stretch limousines, and CEO of LCW Automotive Corp., San Antonio, Texas, died on Nov. 9. He was 74. A cause of death has not been disclosed.

Known throughout the industry for cutting-edge designs and quality craftsmanship, Boyar started in the automotive business in 1964 at age 23 when he bought a failing body shop, Al’s Collision Works, and turned the business around within two years. Among his many innovations throughout this career, Boyer was the first to manufacturer long doors and the six-inch wider-body Lincoln with a raised roof.

As his business grew — along with his skills and knowledge of the automotive business — Boyar reinvented his company in 1973, changing its name to MacGregor Custom Coach focusing on the customizing business. The McGregor name soon built a reputation for quality custom work.

With the MacGregor name, Boyar developed a reputa­tion for quality custom work, an expertise in high-end paint jobs, and a set of impressive New York A-list clients. By the late 1970s, MacGregor was a leading national installer of sunroofs, a skill that brought the company into Boyar’s next formulation as American Pullman.

Already having dabbled in limousines since 1978 and having formed a strong relationship with Classic Coach of Orlando, the two companies in 1982 developed tooling and designs for a new line of stretch limousines, which were then coming into great demand in New York City. American Pullman was soon churning out 36- and 46-inch stretch Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Lincoln limousines to the tune of several hundred vehicles per year by the mid-1980s.

During this time, Boyar developed a close relationship with Carlos Allen. American Pullman was building pri­marily on General Motors chassis, while Allen built on Lincolns, which Boyar sold for him. Allen convinced Boyar to join his operation. Boyar closed American Pullman and opened APC Sales Corp. to market the limousines he and Allen built under Allen Coachworks. He also established a limousine maintenance facility to attend to existing limousines in the New York area (today managed by Boyar’s son, Adam). Boyar split his time between New York and Laredo until 1989, when Allen Coachworks was bought out.

Boyar’s next move came in 1992 in the form of Laredo Coachworks, now LCW Automotive Corp., which suc­cessfully grew into the 1990s. Boyar also carried forth with LCW Automotive his track record for innovation. As before at American Pullman, Boyar today insists on employing OEM materials and standards wherever possible, such as electrical com­ponents, body mounts, and drive shafts.

Drawing further from Boyar’s experience in frame repair, LCW Automotive has developed a proprietary laser-guided cutting system that ensures the lowest tol­erances in chassis stretching in the industry. The net effect is a smoothness which, when com­bined with LCW Automotive’s innovative use of composite insu­lation materials, makes for a uniquely quiet ride. Appropriately for its Texas location, the com­pany also has developed the most powerful air conditioning system used in production limousines.

Today, LCW Automotive is among the larg­est builders in the country, although Boyar prefers the descriptive “quality, innovation, and design.” Above all, Boyar says as he looks back on his long career, he counts himself most content with “a good life, a good factory, good people,” and, as he used to say at Ameri­can Pullman, “making good cars better.”

According to his son, Todd, the COO of LCW, his father enjoyed fishing and cruising in his pontoon boat around the San Diego Bay. Another son Adam is company vice president. Boyar has two other children not involved in the company.

Memorial or funeral service information was not immediately available. For more information, go here.

 

 

 

 

Keywords

coachbuilders   death   LCW Automotive   limousine manufacturing   obituary   stretch limousine   

 

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LCT Launches 2016 Business Achievement Awards Program

TORRANCE, Calif. — Chauffeured transportation and motorcoach operations from around the world may now enter LCT’s annual business achievement awards.

LCT formally launched the 2016 Operator of the Year Awards and Association Award of Excellence programs today. Categories include Operator of the Year in the 1-10, 11-30, 31-50, and 51+ vehicles categories; Motorcoach Operator of the Year; and Global/International Operator of the Year.

The Association Award of Excellence recognizes a state, city, or regional limousine industry trade group formally affiliated with the National Limousine Association. Association Award of Excellence submissions should be sent to LCT East Coast editor Tom Halligan at Tom@lctmag.com.

All Operator of the Year Award submissions are all done online, with the form and instructions available at the top of the LCTMag.com website or just click here.

One enhanced change for the 2016 submissions process is the option for applicants to attach documents supporting their submissions in EACH of the six judging categories. Items such as marketing samples, chauffeur training policies, loss-run statements, etc., can be attached with via the “paper clip” command at the bottom of each category box.

The deadline for all submissions is: Friday, January 15, 2016, 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

Finalists will be selected after Jan. 16. Names of finalists will be kept confidential throughout the contest process and there will be no advance publicity. Winners ONLY will be announced and given a framed certificate Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at the annual LCT Awards Program Gala during the 2016 International LCT Show at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nev.

OOY SUBMISSIONS FORM

Questions: Please contact LCT editor Martin Romjue at Martin@LCTmag.com or (310) 533-2489.

Keywords

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New Jersey Motorcoach Group Names New Executive Director

CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Patricia Cowley has been appointed the new executive director for the Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA) effective January 1, 2016.

Cowley has been involved in the related activities of the bus industry since the early 1990s. She worked for a commercial insurer managing transportation clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and the Midwest. Cowley also helped develop Motorcoach Partners with Integrity (MPI), an industry peer group, in which she serves as the group’s facilitator. 

“During my involvement with MPI, I facilitated all aspects of group management,” Cowley said. “My role is broad with both strategic and administrative components. I developed several cooperative purchasing programs for the group, including the purchase of fuel and other common supplies. From an educational value perspective, I have organized events for our members’ safety leaders, drivers, mechanics, human resource personnel and the owners.”

As executive director of GNJMA, which represents some 50-plus motorcoach operators throughout the Garden State, Cowley will work with motorcoach operators and owners on matters of collective interest throughout the state. That includes working with industry associations, local, state and federal agencies, legislators, vendors, attractions, destinations and other entities to promote the welfare of the industry and its members.

“My initial primary goals are to increase awareness of the value of the association to New Jersey-based operators and to enhance some of the existing programs and processes for the benefits of the members, including working closer with motorcoach association in neighboring states on collective issues,” Cowley added.

Cowley said she also looks forward to recruiting additional members and enhancing communications to improve the overall value of membership. 

 

 

Keywords

buses   charter and tour operators   Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association   limo associations   motorcoaches   new jersey   New Jersey operators   

 

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