LCT East To Boost Industry Power In Numbers

The Pool After Dark club at Harrah's Atlantic City, site of LCT-NLA Show East, Nov. 13-15. Among the numerous meetings and sessions, a new Eastern Regional Forum will spur regional associations to work together on common issues and goals.

Because the LCT-NLA Show East is a regional show focused on operators concentrated in the Northeast corridor stretching from Virginia to New England, this year’s show features a new East Coast Forum (Sunday, Nov. 13, 1:30 p.m.--3 p.m.)  that will focus on issues — and solutions — specific to the region.

The session evolved out of feedback from regional association presidents, board members, and member operators who want to work together more closely because they share so many common issues.

In fact, many Northeast associations have operators and board members who are members of neighboring associations, such as the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) and the Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ). I’ve been to LANJ meetings where members from the Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) and New England Livery Association (NELA) have attended. Now that the Limousine Association of New York (NYLA) is trying to grow its influence in the New York City region, you can see the emerging association clout.

The growing Virginia Limousine Association (VLA), the newly re-energized Maryland Limousine Association (MLA) and the Limousine, Bus & Taxi Operators of Upstate New York (LBTOUNY) show the concentrated power regional groups can muster in a unified front to fight TNCs, launch media and PR campaigns, and lobby federal legislators, especially those who sit on committees relevant to the industry.

In addition, there is a special State Association Presidents’ Open Discussion meeting (Nov. 13, 11 p.m.--Noon) that will prime the pump for specific topics and discussion points for the Forum. Following the Forum, a B4 Business Speed Networking event (3 pm--4pm) will provide ample time for all attendees to network and build professional bonds.

LCT-NLA Show East info here.