NLA Membership Renewals Closely Track Last Year’s Numbers

MARLTON, N.J. — The National Limousine Association recorded a 64.2% renewal rate as of March 31, compared to a 69% renewal rate on the same date last year, which is a low 4.8% variance, NLA President Ron Sorci reported.

The registration numbers were unveiled at a quarterly face-to-face NLA board meeting in Chicago on March 31. So far, 1,708 members have renewed, Sorci said. Renewals and new member sign-ups are expected to continue for the rest of the year.

By Dec. 31, 2008, the NLA had accrued a total of 2,481 members. The organization still could approach or match that number by Dec. 31, 2009.

The membership count as of March 31 represents 96.7% of the NLA’s 2009 budget that was approved at its quarterly board meeting Nov. 13, 2008 in Huntington Beach, Calif. Anticipating a tough economy in 2009, board members approved a conservative budget for 2009 based on a 25% membership drop.

Sorci said he is confident NLA memberships will reach the 100% budget level soon and likely will surpass it this year. “I’m optimistic we are going to exceed our budget when all is said and done,” he said.

So far, 45 companies have cancelled their memberships because they either went out of business or merged, Sorci said. That figure comprises about 1.7% of total NLA membership.

Due to sufficient cash reserves, the NLA board also last week decided to reinstate its rebate program for local associations, totaling $34,000 so far this year. Last year, rebates totaled $44,000. As additional renewals come in, additional rebates will be sent out each quarter.

NLA rebates give local associations a financial incentive to bring in new NLA members. Local associations use the rebates to help fund legislative and regulatory efforts on behalf of operators. Rebate checks will be sent to local associations at the end of April and beginning of May, Sorci said.

Source: Martin Romjue, LCT editor