George Jacobs: GCLA Best Limo Association In U.S.

ANNUAL EXPO: The Greater California Livery Association held its annual Expo last night at the landmark Proud Bird restaurant just off the southern most runway path of LAX: NLA board member and Windy City Limousine owner George Jacobs delieverd an optimistic keynote with tips on getting new business; GCLA first VP Jonna Sabroff issued a call to accountability for politicians decimating the business travel sector; and operators and vendors offered up some anecdotes from the front lines. More coverage and photos to come Thursday.

Jacobs, who has worked in the industry since 1979 and served several terms as NLA President, said of the GCLA: "This is the best association in the country without a doubt." The GCLA recently received the 2009 LCT Association Award of Excellence; it retains its own lobbying team; successfully represents operators from markedly disparate areas of the state; has been out front on efforts to roll back the political intimidation of the business travel sector; and deals with one of the most aggressive regulatory and tax climates in the nation. California also ranks as the state with the highest number of operators. -- M.R.