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TLPA Spring Conference & Expo Discusses Innovations in Transportation…and Enjoys Some BBQ Smoked in a Taxi

(ROCKVILLE, Md.) — In a schedule packed with industry updates, breakout sessions and the latest products showcased by vendors, the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association’s (TLPA) Spring Conference & Expo last week unveiled new customizable features for national marketing program, hosted numerous technology discussions, and offered helpful advice on improved operations.

The event, held April 10-12 at the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel & Spa and the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, drew about two hundred attendees and vendors. The following are some of the highlights of the conference:

• An important update to TLPA’s exciting Ride Local™ marketing campaign for fleets, which is now easily customizable for all TLPA members. From vehicle decals to posters to wearable swag, this marketing program reminds the public in individual cities to “Ride Local” by choosing locally owned, locally operated transportation. To find out more, visit www.tlpa.org/Ride-Local.
• An overview of TLPA’s strategic planning process that is mapping a vision for the future of the industry, as well as TLPA’s role in helping members meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.
• Panel discussions and breakout sessions on how to transition to soft meters in taxis; how to make more money through motor coaches and survive a DOT audit; working constructively with transportation brokers; strategies for improving taxi service; hiring and retaining skilled paratransit drivers; and an alternate path for addressing independent contractor driver benefits.

The conference was made possible through the generous support of sponsors including Azpired and MTI Dispatch (Gold Sponsors); The Black Car Fund (Silver Sponsor); and Flywheel, Airport Express, Inc./MedRide and 3 Taxi Guys (Bronze Sponsors).

In a special treat, conference-goers sampled the award-winning culinary expertise of the 3 Taxi Guys BBQ. The company, formed by three longtime taxicab operators and TLPA members, brought its signature taxi-turned-barbecue smoker to Oklahoma City specially for this event, treating all attendees to a BBQ dinner held at the operations center of Airport Express, Inc./MedRide, the host operator of the conference.

“I am very energized by where this industry is going and what we see happening just around the corner,” said TLPA President Mike Pinckard. “What we’re doing as an association is really setting the table for how we continue to help transportation fleets well into the future, and this conference laid a great foundation for the big event coming up in just a few months when we all gather for our landmark 100th Annual Convention & Trade Show.”

The TLPA 100th Annual Convention & Trade Show will be held Oct. 26-29, 2018, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. To become a sponsor or to find out more about the event, please visit www.tlpa.org/Annual-Convention or call (301) 984-5700.