TLPA

92ND ANNUAL TLPA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW IN LOS ANGELES, CA

The 6th largest Annual Convention & Trade Show in the history of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association assembled over 875 people from around the globe for the 92nd Annual Convention & Trade Show at the new JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, California from October 27 – 31, 2010. Transportation industry leaders and experts, nation wide and global association members, vendors, spouses and friends of TLPA convened for over three days of quality programming and networking. Current emerging issues were discussed in depth allowing for the development of new initiatives and the advancement of current ones. Educational programs were delivered through 18 Concurrent Roundtables, 15 Concurrent Breakout Sessions, and three General Sessions.

The roundtables were categorized into eight subject areas including:

• Public Relations,
  
  
  
• Internet Marketing,
  
  
  
• Contracting,
  
  
  
• Vehicles,
  
  
  
• Regulations,
  
  
  
• Call Center,
  
  
  
• Competition,
  
  
  
• Payment Systems and Airports.
  

Specific topics covered were:

• Public Relations: How to Achieve Positive PR;
  
  
  
• Competition: Courtesy Vehicles Providing Unlicensed Passenger Service;
  
  
  
• Internet Marketing: Web Site Features that Produce Passengers;
  
  
  
• Contracting: Veterans Administration & Other Non-Transit Opportunities;
  
  
  
• Airports: Fees, First In - First Out, Starters, Enforcement Against Illegals;
  
  
  
• Insurance: How to Conduct an Accident Investigation;
  
  
  
• Regulations: Wheelchair Accessible Mandates;
  
  
  
• Call Center: Hiring, Training & Motivation of Customer Service Reps;
  
  
  
• Payment Systems: Credit/Debit/Private/Prepaid Cards, Charge Accounts, PIMS;
  
  
  
• Public Relations: Image Goal for the Limousine Industry;
  
  
  
• Internet Marketing: Google Positioning, Viral/Social Marketing, Negative Posts;
  
  
  
• Contracting: Private Insurance Transportation Opportunities;
  
  
  
• Vehicles: Original Equipment Manufacturers;
  
  
  
• Insurance: How to Quickly Settle Claims;
  
  
  
• Regulations: Alternative Fuel Mandates;
  
  
  
• Call Center: Evaluations and Productivity Tracking; and
  
  
  
• Payment Systems: Credit Card Fraud and PCI Compliance.
  
  
  

In addition to the roundtable discussions were 9 Concurrent Breakout Sessions all of which provided educational insight on topics relevant to the industry such as:

• the New Freedom: How it Works and the Successes and Problems;
  
  
  
• Management: How to Develop an Organizational Chart for Your Company;
  
  
  
• Vehicles: DOE's Clean Cities Program for Alternative Fuels for Fleets; Private Pay Clients: Marketing Unsubsidized Paratransit Service;
  
  
  
• Management: Sales Rep Recruiting, Training and Payment Practices; and
  
  
  
• Airports: Ground Transportation Management Systems – Contracted vs. Open.
  

Not only did the Annual Convention bring TLPA members and friends together for educational enrichment but also offered a number of unique and exciting networking opportunities. Beginning with the Annual TLPF/Gateway Insurance Golf Tournament at the Brookside Golf Club which included a Putting Contest and Reception to the TLPF Women's Spa Program. Then a Pre-Opening Night Cocktail Reception took place at The Standard Hotel Rooftop and Bar. Following these events Convention participants participated in:

• a Host Operator Tour of L.A. Yellow Cab Co-Op,
  
  
  
• a daily Shopping Shuttle (Thursday and Friday),
  
  
  
• the Grand Opening Cocktail Reception of the Convention and Exhibit Hall,
  
  
  
• the Women In Transportation Dinner with guest speaker Rita Robinson, General Manager of the L.A. DOT, and
  
  
  
• a Member Appreciation Cocktail reception and, finally, to close this record making convention,
  
  
  
• the Silent Auction benefiting the TLPA Action Fund,
  
  
  
• a Banquet Dinner with special entertainment by mathemagician, Dr. Arthur Benjamin and, finally,
  
  
  
• The Surf City All-Stars Band the best surfin' beach party band around on par with their friends the Beach Boys.
  

Of the convention's many memorable moments one of the most noteworthy was a speech given by newly elected President, Robert McBride. President McBride discussed his agenda and vision for his year as TLPA President. McBride outlined several goals for his year as President including expanding TLPA membership by twenty percent. In addition, McBride said he would further engage the association in important community related programs including re-energizing the Taxis on Patrol initiative which encourages TLPA operators nationwide to act as an extra set of eyes and ears for law enforcement agencies in their communities. He also pledged to continue to promote TLPA's Pink Ride program in the fight against breast cancer.

During the TLPA Pink Ride this year some 100 for-hire transportation companies across the United States, Canada, and as far away as Great Britain designated "pink" vehicles within their fleets. The effort generated public awareness of the disease that affects one in eight women and raised more than $100,000 for breast cancer charities and research organizations.

Then there was the State of the Industry Address by 2010 President Dizengoff. During this address he outlined his accomplishments as President of the TLPA from 2009 -2010. President Dizengoff travelled significantly across the country and around the world to address legislators, regulators and industry organizations on behalf of TLPA and the industry. Part of his travels included trips to Washington, DC to advocate on Capital Hill on TLPA's behalf. While in D.C. he conveyed to our elected officials the importance of considering the needs of our industry when considering legislation that would help or hurt our members such as the Anti-Texting legislation, the Cap & Trade Energy Taxes, the Ride Act, the New Freedom program as well as others.

President Dizengoff also discussed TLPA's five basic areas of service provided to its members such as communications, research, education, public relations, and government relations and outlined the top three areas in each of the categories to which he focused this last year. Under communications, a significant number of informative publications were produced to keep members abreast of the activities within the organization. Under research, he elaborated on a government grant to educate private operators about how to participate in the transportation planning process and to educate operators on how to make grant proposals in the New Freedom program. In addition, this grant also allowed TLPA to develop training seminars, a handbook and video which is in the final production stages. Not to mention the world's first web based taxicab driver education program as the first step in revolutionizing our industry.

The growth of TLPA's public relations program also contributed to the significant efforts made to strengthen the image of this industry specifically with the implementation of the Pink Ride program and the newly approved two year extension of the program. Finally, and worth mentioning, was the announcement of a joint promotional agreement with VISA that would be an incentive program to encourage taxicab drivers who are affiliated with TLPA member companies to accept credit cards for fare payments.

The annual convention also served as the platform to honor the TLPA Operator and Driver of the Year. These awards are bestowed upon individuals who are deserving of recognition because of the credit they bring to our industry. Without the company infrastructure created by operators, and the exceptional customer service provided by drivers there would not be a viable for-hire transportation industry. These awards honored the individuals who have helped us all move closer to the industry goal of providing perfect service. While perfect service at all times is not attainable, these individuals delivered that level of transportation service perfection. The 2010 honorees were:

• Past President Victor Dizengoff, BCAC, New York, NY, Limousine Operator of the Year
  
  
  
• Sid Del Cardayre, Van GO inc., Richmond, VA, Paratransit Operator of the Year
  
  
  
• Bill Scalzi, Metro Taxi, West Haven, CT, Taxicab Operator of the Year
  
  
  
• Mario J. Guitron, Gateway Limousine Worldwide, Burlingame, CA, Limousine Chauffeur of the Year
  
  
  
• Arthur Thomas, Jr., SCR Medical Transportation, Chicago, IL, Paratransit Driver of the Year
  
  
  
• Wyatt Skar, Discount Cab, Glendale, AZ, Taxicab Driver of the Year
  

Of the social networking events that took place during the annual convention worth mentioning is the Host Operator Tour by Yellow Cab Co-Op of L.A. that was a hit! With two 56 passenger motor coaches and 10 Yellow Cab vans full of participants, the Yellow Cab O-Op of Los Angeles welcomed participants to their Gardena facility. Greeted by a Mariachi band the tour included a walk through of the 14,000 sq. ft. main administration building. Participants were exposed to the operations of a facility with approximately 130 employees providing administrative services to five taxicab fleets which amounted to a combined total of 1,175 taxicabs. The tour also included an outside visit to the 17,000 sq. ft. Maintenance Building and parking area which includes the following shops: an eight bay Mechanical Shop, Paint and Body Shop, and the Radio/Electronics/Topsign/Graphics shops which are owned by TLPA member Taxi Equipment Co.

Let's not forget the Trade Show with 11 Vehicle exhibit spaces, 89 Booth display spaces including 20 new exhibitors showcasing 81 vendors in all. Vendors represented categories such as Dispatch Systems, GPS, MDT, Radios, Payment Systems, Software, Advertising, Fuel Programs, Insurance, Reservation Networks, Brokers, Financing, Vehicles, Loss Prevention, Meters and Roof Lights. This year's trade show exposed and introduced new products, services, technologies and innovations to those in attendance in turn providing an array of options for TLPA member companies to improve their operations, operate more efficiently, benefit from cost savings and run successful businesses.

All in all the Annual Convention & Trade Show was one of the best ever in the history of the TLPA. According to attendees, 40.7% rated the convention & trade show as excellent and 59.3% rated it as good. We hope to surpass these percentages and the expectations next year when we head over to San Francisco for the 93rd Annual Convention & Trade Show taking place at the Hilton Hotel. Information will be available in the months ahead. Just visit us online at www.tlpa.org to stay informed of all the 2011 TLPA Meetings.

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2011 TLPA MEETINGS

TLPA Spring Conference & Exposition
Hyatt Regency Chicago • Chicago, Illinois
Tuesday, April 12 – Thursday, April 14, 2011

We recommend that you make your hotel reservation by March 11 for just $189! We have a limited number of rooms in our room block so ACT FAST!

For details about the conference & expo, visit http://www.tlpa.org/meetings/springconference2011.cfm.
We hope you will join us and we look forward to receiving your registration. If you have specific registration questions feel free to email Ayesha Plaskett at aplaskett@tlpa.org or call 301.984.5700.

TLPA Mid-Year International Leadership Conference
Intercontinental DeLaVille Hotel Rome • Rome, Italy
July 27-29, 2011

TLPA 93rd Annual Convention & Trade Show
Hilton San Francisco Union Square • San Francisco, CA
Thursday, October 27 through Sunday, October 30, 2011

(Hall opens Thursday night/Banquet Saturday night) (Pre-Convention Activities - TLPF Golf Tournament &
Wine Country Tour are on the 26th).