Networking 101: Out of Your Shell and Into the Mix
It’s no secret that networking is critical part of success in our industry, but sometimes it can be difficult to master this vital skill, particularly for those new to the biz. This session is designed to transform you from a networking novice to a seasoned pro. We’ll show you the do’s and don’ts of networking as well as best practices for interacting with people of all ages. In addition, our presenters will provide an overview of the best places to network, including small functions, charitable events, massive conferences, or even online environments. This session will include role-playing scenarios to get you right in the thick of things.
Presented by: Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine, and Nancy Vargas of DH2 Chauffeured Transportation
Seizing Opportunities With Millennials,
Hospitality & Tourism
Jeffrey MontagueTemple University's School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management
Millennials are quickly accounting for a significant portion of the workforce, and understanding them will become increasingly important over the next decade, both in terms of employment and marketing your company to the societal shift their lifestyles present. You’ll also learn about the impact their increased professional presence will have across the globe, how to harness their social media savviness, branding the hospitality industry accordingly, and the Millennial thought process itself. This session will leave you with a strategic outreach plan and a better understanding of how this generation is changing not only the workplace but also overall expectations.
Safeguarding Your Company From Sexual Harassment
Ann PlunkettWorkplace Partners
Brooke KeilEmerson Hospital
Current events and the enduring power of the #MeToo movement have brought the difficult topic of sexual harassment to the forefront, and our HR and legal experts—Brooke Keil of Emerson Hospital and Ann Plunkett of Workplace Partners, respectively—will make sure you leave this session understanding why it’s such an important topic. With trade shows, home offices, driving teams, and meetings being among the developments blurring the lines between what does and doesn’t constitute the workplace, these are rough seas to navigate your business through. This session will also help you and your staff protect yourselves from making any accidentally offensive remarks or moves, brush up on behavior befitting professional environments, identify the difference between harassment and abuse, and prepare for day-to-day interactions that respect social boundaries both in the work space and outside the office. Even those who feel they’ve been spared major problems so far would benefit from this primer on how to deal with claims of abuse and harassment, how to keep avoiding them, and respectful procedures for dealing with victims.
Are You Making Money?
Dawson RutterCommonwealth Worldwide
Jessica BouelericeThe LMC Group
In this session moderated by Broadway Elite Worldwide’s Jason Sharenow, industry veteran President/CEO of Commonwealth Worldwide Dawson Rutter and The LMC Group’s Director of Finance Jessica Boulerice will use their expertise to help you take a closer, critical look at the financial health of your company while exploring ways to bolster your profit. We’ll help you keep your bottom line and profit margin in check by focusing on the full range of areas to keep tabs on. Take a look at a sample P&L sheet to get a handle on how to break it down, examine your variable and fixed costs, learn how important it is to know your gross profit margin to the percentage point, identify the most crucial KPIs you should be tracking monthly, scrutinize market forces, find out the real cost of carrying A/R debt and more with this session that aims to give you all the tools you need to analyze not only your company’s money-making realities but also its potential.
Contingency Planning: Stress-Testing Your Business for Likely Shock Scenarios (Part 2: Human Capital Related)
Kristen Carroll (Moderator)The LMC Group
Kristen BouweiriReston Limousine
Christina DavisThe LMC Group
Part two, moderated by Kristen Carroll of The LMC Group and co-chair of our Education Committee, is dedicated to “human capital,” or your staff. The session—featuring highly respected industry veteran Kristina Bouweiri of Reston Limousine and Christina Davis of The LMC Group, author of our monthly HR Coach column—will explore areas such as preparing for the sudden loss or death of a key employee, or dealing with the departure of multiple employees in a short period of time, either of which could seriously damage a company of any size depending on the circumstances. Other topics include legal issues such as safety-related lawsuits stemming from car accidents to on-the-job injuries; understanding and effectively dealing with discrimination, racism, and religious protections; and everyone’s favorite: labor-related challenges and lawsuits on everything from overtime wage claims to EEOC rules. This seminar will tackle those thorny and often frustrating topics with proven strategies, balanced solutions, and a bit of humor.
Contingency Planning: Stress-Testing Your Business for Likely Shock Scenarios (Part 1: Finance Related)
Kathy KahneWindy City Limousine
Dawson RutterCommonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Services
Part one, moderated by Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide and co-chair of our Education Committee, includes speaker Kathy Kahne of Windy City Limousine, a well-regarded industry expert and Dawson Rutter, founder of Commonwealth Worldwide, a leader with 35 years in the business. For many, the pain and ambivalence of the 2008 recession remains a profoundly complex and still-present topic despite recovery, yet financial swings occur all the time. We’ll discuss how to ready your company financially before those economic dips. Other topics include the loss of a large client (especially one equivalent to a 20-percent revenue drop) and how to diversify to avoid such a situation in the future; the ubiquitous price wars that challenge long-standing relationships with otherwise reasonable clients; dealing with cash flow; and legal issues like employee embezzlement or IRS audits. This session will give you the peace of mind you need to think intelligently during a crisis rather than impulsively.
Protecting Yourself and Your Business From Network and Cyber Threats
A cyberattack on your computer infrastructure can be as devastating to your company as a fire or flood. Not only does a data breach affect you financially, it also puts your reputation at risk, as your clients’ private information is exposed. Are you prepared? Join us for an informative session that provides real-life examples of the cyber threats and risks faced by our industry as well as the policies you should have in place to protect yourself.
Presented by: Caryn Reiker of Max360 and Jorge Sanchez of Hermes Worldwide
The Impact of Industry Consolidation on Exit Strategy Planning
Planning an exit strategy for your company doesn’t suggest you’re conceding—it means you’re a smart businessperson. As the economic climate has changed in the past two years, things have become challenging for many small operators. This session will offer the pros and cons of various exit strategies, as well as proposals for whether you’re looking to get out at the right time for the right reasons. You’ll learn that having a long-term plan for the future, whether you’re considering a buy-out or even expansion, is more than practical; it’s essential.
Presented by: Andi Gray of Strategy Leaders and Becky Laramee of All Points Limousine
Managing Online Reviews and Dealing With Potential PR Challenges
As the social media landscape continues to grow by leaps and bounds each year—with new sites and apps entering the field regularly—maintaining your online presence has become increasingly challenging. And with social media becoming an ever-more valuable, if not essential, tool for successful marketing, it’s important that operators learn how to craft their online presence into success. Our presenters will provide an overview of the social media space, with a heavy emphasis on managing your internet reviews from clients, which can be a PR nightmare.
Presented by: Bill Faeth of Inbound Marketing Agents and Faith Glasgow of Peak Limousine
Everybody Sells: Seizing Opportunities To Build Your Revenue
They say that getting sales is like grabbing at low-hanging fruit. Well, that fruit is ripe and ready for picking. Geared with the small operator in mind, this informative workshop will show you how to maximize your profits and growth by snaring business that is within your reach. Join us to get an education on how to turn leads into money and get the most of the business available in your market. We’ll also give you a run down on services and resources that are available to a business on the move, and prepare you for hiring or increasing staff.
Presented by: Kim J. Garner of Best Transportation and Kimberly Vissak of Build a Team Consultants