Who Won the 2008 Operator of the Year Awards?

LAS VEGAS — The audience at Tuesday night's LCT Awards Gala once again looked like the one attending the Academy Awards: women in gowns, men in tuxedos, and everyone with big smiles and bright eyes.

Before the Operators of the Year were announced, other awards were presented. Dav El's Scott Solombrino won the Lifetime Achievement Award for all his service and leadership to the industry, especially while president of the NLA for four years soon after the 9/11 disaster. The Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association won the award for this category and was happily accepted by the organization's chairman, Phil Jagiela. There were other awards, too, such as the marketing category, which will be announced in the magazine.

And the winners of the 2008 Operator of the Year awards:

1-10 Vehicles: A Candies Production, Inc. - based in Gainesville, Fla. Sander Kaplan accepted the award.

11-30 Vehicles: Sterling Rose Limousines - based in Temecula, Calif. Steve Levin accepted the award.

31-50 Vehicles: Rose Chauffeured Transportation, Ltd. - based in Charlotte, N.C. H.A. Thompson accepted the award.

51+ Vehicles: Aventura Worldwide Transportation - based in Miami. Scott Tinkler and Ron Sorci accepted the award.

Hot topics at the ILCT Show: bus limos, what’s happening with New York City’s mpg increase and how it affects limousine operators, new tech products for wifi connection and software upgrades, Krystal showing off silver vehicles to celebrate its 25th anniversary, and new officers being elected at the NLA including Richard Kane, president/CEO of International Limousine Service, Inc., taking over the presidency as Jeff Greene ended his two-year term.

Source: LCT Magazine