The information below chronicles The Transportation Alliance's activities from June 2015 to present. If you would like to know more, click here for news going all the way back to 2003!
(ROCKVILLE, Md.)— The city of
Denver hosted the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association’s 99th
Annual Convention & Trade Show last month. With support from premier
sponsor Autocab, the convention brought together decision-makers from fleets
across the U.S. and around the world, all eager to learn about the industry’s
latest innovations and best practices. Under the theme “Celebrating 100 Years,” the convention
featured three informative
general sessions; 29 educational sessions on important topics affecting the
industry; a robust trade show; the election of TLPA’s new president, officers
and directors; and more. In addition to Autocab, the four-day event was made
possible with the generous support of industry vendors, including Gold Sponsors
Atlas Financial Holdings and
Ford Motor Company; Silver Sponsors MTData, Paratransit Insurance Company and
Verifone; and Bronze Sponsors The Black Car Fund and Metro Transportation
Planning & Solutions Group. On the convention’s opening day, attendees braved
Denver’s first snowfall of the season to participate in a tour of host operator
Metro Transportation Planning & Solutions Group. The educational segment of
the convention opened that afternoon with the ever-popular discussion groups
covering diverse topics including independent contractor issues; marketing;
contracting; responding to RFPs; hiring and retaining drivers and support
staff; duty of care; becoming a TNC; and cost-cutting measures. The Opening General Session on Tuesday afternoon featured
outgoing President Bill Scalzi’s address, which included a look at TLPA’s
accomplishments over the past year. These included significantly changing the membership
dues structure and reducing costs and increasing member benefits for operator
members; developing a new marketing program for members called “Ride Local™”; identifying
and working on developing strategies to enable TLPA member operators to compete
more effectively with TNCs; and in a surprise
announcement, Scalzi presented the association’s CEO, Alfred LaGasse, TLPA’s
Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his 40 years of service to TLPA. The convention also featured the election of officers and
directors of the association in the coming year. The highlight was the election
of Mike Pinckard, Total Transit, Glendale, Arizona to serve as TLPA president. In his first
remarks as president, Pinckard said, “We must begin the process of reshaping
our vision for the future in a more inclusive and collaborative manner; in a
manner that seizes the new and exciting opportunities before us, by blending
the greatness of our past, with the innovations and excitement of the future.” To that end,
Pinckard outlined three key objectives during the coming year, including: Pinckard
concluded by stating, “I’m truly honored and humbled by the opportunity to
serve as president of the TLPA, and I look forward to working with all of you,
as we work together to shape the next phase in the evolution of this great
industry.” Planning is already underway for the Spring
Conference & Expo in Oklahoma City from April 10-13, 2018, as well as for
the grand celebration of TLPA’s 100th Annual Convention & Trade Show,
October 26-30, 2018, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
TLPA Annual Convention Lays Groundwork for New Strategic Vision of For-Hire Fleet Industry