OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
From left to right: Al LaGasse, CEO of The Transportation
Alliance (TTA); Berj Haroutunian,
President of Vital Transportation; newly-elected TTA President, Thomas Arrighi and Greg Haroutunian
In October, The Transportation Alliance elected its newest president, bestowed top awards on fleet executives, and hosted educational sessions, fun networking events and an industry trade show at Mobilize 2019, the group’s annual convention and expo, held at Bally’s in Las Vegas.
Tom Arrighi, President of A&A Metro Transportation of Bridgewater, Mass., was sworn in as the association’s 2019-2020 president. In his acceptance speech, Arrighi pledged to ensure the association remains focused on diversification, expansion and advocacy as an industry voice in Washington, DC.
Attendees also celebrated several well-deserved honors to industry leaders, including:
- Lifetime Achievement Award:Mark Joseph, former CEO of Transdev North America
- Executive of the Year:Dave Gauer, CEO of VIP Taxi in Phoenix, AZ
- Honorary Directors:Jim Bell, former CEO of Diamond Taxicab Dispatch service, Toronto, Canada; and Geoffrey Riesel, former CEO of Radio Taxis Group, London, England.
The 30,000 square foot trade show floor allowed fleet executives to peruse the latest industry equipment and services, from vehicles to software to insurance, and more.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The Curb team answers questions for a potential customer on the show floor (from left to right): Athan Rebelos, Emily (customer), Tarek Mallah, Silvio Fontes, Michael Mintz and Aristeo Layson
On the educational side of the event, the show featured Learning Labs and three separate tracks of educational sessions: Innovation & Technology, Diversification & Market Trends, and Operational Execllence. Attendees could choose among nine different discussions on topics including call center infrastructure, tactics for reducing fleet downtime, microtransit business opportunities, new business advice for the procurement of NEMT work, and more.
Avik Kabessa, Carmel Car & Limousine (right) and Orly Mulero
As part of the convention, the association’s sister organization – the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Foundation – unveiled two new driver recruiting and retention videos available for free to any member. The videos are now available on the association’s website in the Members Resource Center section.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Mike Fogarty, President of Addison Lee Group North America (left) and Jamie Campolongo, Pittsburgh Transportation Group CEO/President
The association now looks ahead to its next major event: it’s Spring Conference & Expo, which will be held March 18-20 in Boston at the Westin Copley Place.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Arif Choudhury (left) and Gary Taneja from DDS Wireless
For more information, visit www.thetransportationalliance.org.
