SCORE Chicago Women's Council "Exude Confidence - Owning Your Accomplishments" Event
2023-08-24 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Rhine Hall Distillery, 2010 W. Fulton St., Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Join the SCORE Chicago Women’s Council for an in-person panel discussion that brings together dynamic, leading female mentors, business leaders, and professionals to share their personal, business, and professional experiences, lessons, and insights as women in leadership roles. Each panelist will offer insights into different areas of expertise (entrepreneurship, finance, medicine, nonprofit, marketing, science, and sales) and perspectives on what it takes to succeed in business and in life.
Register now to attend this open, engaging, and forward-thinking discussion!
Schedule:
5 PM Networking
6 to 7:30 PM Panel Discussion
Street parking is available.

Reminder: 2023 Source Grant Applications Due
2023-08-25 | IL
The 2023 Source Grant provides $40 million in grants to small businesses to help stabilize operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity in the post-pandemic economy.
All businesses located in Cook County with fewer than 20 full-time employees that were in business prior to 2020 are eligible to apply. This opportunity is available for businesses in all sectors.
Applicants may apply to receive one of two grant award levels through The 2023 Source Grant: businesses with a 2019 gross revenue between $20,000 – $50,000 are eligible to receive $10,000 grants and businesses with 2019 gross revenue of more than $50,000 are eligible to receive $20,000 grants.
See the official press release for additional details.
*NOTE: The application window was extended by one week, so the deadline date listed on the press release is no longer accurate.

September ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2023-09-06 09:30 - 11:30 | IL
The ILLBA Board of Directors meets monthly in a closed session. If you have a topic you would like to see raised within the organization please contact our Executive Director, Paula DeBiasi at illinoislimousineassociation@gmail.com or 630-665-9133.

Reminder: Early Bird Registration Deadline for the 2023 CD / NLA Show
2023-09-08 | IL
Registration is currently open for the 2023 Chauffeur Driven / NLA show at Gaylord Palms Orlando from October 22nd – 25th. NLA members save $75 per show pass!
With concentrated education, unparalleled networking, a dynamic show floor, and unforgettable evening events, this is the ultimate opportunity for operators of all sizes and experience.

(Virtual) Coffee With The ILLBA: Holiday Light Tours
2023-09-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual / Zoom
It’s not too early to start planning a Holiday Light Tour service for your customers! Whether you’re working with large or small vehicles, learn tips and techniques from a seasoned pro.
ILLBA member Tim Wiegman, owner of Boulevard Limousine in Kansas City, will lead our discussion this month. Join us, and bring your questions about how you can make this seasonal offering work for your business!
We will also be engaging in a roundtable discussion centered around the idea of “You’re An ILLBA Member – What’s Next?” A group conversation designed to offer insights into the many ways ILLBA membership can benefit you and your business.
Click the ‘Website’ link below to register for this free seminar. A Zoom link to the meeting will be provided in a separate confirmation email.
NOTE: Due to an issue with Constant Contact, please add the Zoom link manually to your calendar.
All members are welcome! It’s not a requirement to participate – you can always simply listen and learn.
Our Coffee With The ILLBA series is a monthly opportunity for a rotating panel of our experienced national and global operators to share their expertise and insights on various subjects and talking points relevant to the transportation industry. Moderated in real time by our team, and fully recorded for future viewing, these conversations allow our community to come together to develop and strengthen business practices, strategies, and connections across the industry. Follow along as we cover new topics each month.

(Virtual) Exploring the NLA Board Experience: Insights From Past and Present Members
2023-09-13 13:00 - 14:00 | IL
Exploring the NLA Board Experience: Insights From Past and Present Members

A LiveStream event presented by the NLA Nominating Committee. Streaming in real time on the main NLA Facebook page at 2 PM EST.

Featured speakers:
Diane Forgy
Jeff Greene
Tiffany Hinton
Kevin Illingworth
Doug Schwartz

Reminder: NLA Scholarship Application Deadline
2023-09-21 | IL
For the first time, one of the NLA’s most valuable programs is coming to the fall show! This is an opportunity unlike any other for operators.
﻿The NLA Scholarship Program, organized and funded by the NLA, is designed to enable new operators to attend the CD/NLA Show at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, FL in from October 22-25, 2023. These scholarships provide an unsurpassed business development opportunity for operators who have recently launched their companies and have never attended a CD/NLA event before.
Questions about the scholarship experience? Reach out to board members Paula DeBiasi and James Jordan, former scholarship winners!
Learn more about the scholarship and how to apply here.

October ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2023-10-04 09:30 - 11:30 | IL

2023 CD / NLA Show (4-day event)
2023-10-22 | IL
This year’s CD/NLA Show – the premier international event for the chauffeured transportation industry – is unfolding over four extraordinary days at the incredible Gaylord Palms Orlando.
With concentrated education, unparalleled networking, a dynamic show floor, and unforgettable evening events, this is the ultimate opportunity for operators of all sizes and experience.
Whether you’re seeking knowledge to expand your business, connections to fuel your ambitions, or simply a chance to reconnect with affiliates and friends, the CD/NLA Show delivers a remarkable return on your investment.
Elevate your enterprise, embrace innovation, and reinvigorate your path to success by registering now!

Reminder: NLA Board Elections are November 6th-8th
2023-11-06 | IL
Remember To Vote!
ILLBA Supports Tracy Raimer, Executive Vice President of Windy City Limousine & Bus Worldwide, For NLA Board
Read Tracy Raimer’s message here.

November ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2023-11-08 09:30 - 11:30 | IL

(Virtual) Coffee With The ILLBA: Preparing for 2024 - Digital Marketing Trends
2023-11-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual / Zoom
Now is a great time to prepare your digital marketing plan for 2024, and fine-tune your online presence!

Curious about artificial intelligence (AI)?
What’s happening in the world of security and privacy, and how it may impact your business?
Web analytics – including the latest on GA4 (Google Analytics 4)?
The latest marketing programs and tools available?

The discussion will be led by ILLBA member Maren Graham, owner of MJGraham Visual Solutions. Learn more about Maren here.
Register now to join this informative and timely Zoom gathering. A link to the meeting will be provided in a separate confirmation email.
Note: Due to an issue with Constant Contact, please add the Zoom link manually to your calendar.
All ILLBA members (and non-members) are welcome! It’s not a requirement to participate – you can always simply listen and learn.
Our Coffee With The ILLBA series is a free, monthly opportunity for a rotating panel of our experienced national and global operators to share their expertise and insights on various subjects and talking points relevant to the transportation industry. Moderated in real time by our team, and fully recorded for future viewing, these conversations allow our community to come together to develop and strengthen business practices, strategies, and connections across the industry. Follow along as we cover new topics each month.
Topic ideas? Contact Paula Debiasi.

December ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2023-12-06 09:30 - 11:30 | IL

(Virtual) Coffee With The ILLBA: Minimizing Taxes While Creating Generational Wealth
2023-12-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual / Zoom
Join us for our last coffee of 2023! This month, we ask the question:
Are you minimizing your taxes while creating generational wealth?
Our discussion will be led by Becky Laramee, a CPA and President / CEO of All Points Limousine. And a special thanks to Celero, this month’s Coffee Sponsor!
Discussion highlights:

Strategies for building generational wealth
Innovative tax planning
Diversifying income
Choosing business entity structures

Register now to join. A link to the meeting will be provided in a separate confirmation email.
Note: Due to an issue with Constant Contact, please add the Zoom link manually to your calendar.
All ILLBA members (and non-members) are welcome! It’s not a requirement to participate – you can always simply listen and learn.
Our Coffee With The ILLBA series is a free, monthly opportunity for a rotating panel of our experienced national and global operators to share their expertise and insights on various subjects and talking points relevant to the transportation industry. Moderated in real time by our team, and fully recorded for future viewing, these conversations allow our community to come together to develop and strengthen business practices, strategies, and connections across the industry.
Follow along as we cover new topics each month. Topic ideas? Contact Paula Debiasi.

Ring in the New Year with the ILLBA!
2024-01-23 16:30 - 20:30 | Carlucci Rosemont, 611 N River Road, Rosemont, IL, 60018, United States
Save the date, and join us for this in-person luncheon at Carlucci Rosemont to ring in 2024! Start the new year on a high note by joining us for an evening of networking, a 3-course Italian meal, prizes and surprises—including the chance to win passes to both the CD/NLA show in March and the Great Lakes Transportation Show in July!
Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to start the new year with a new image by taking advantage of the opportunity to get a free headshot taken by a professional photographer at the event.
Register now to reserve your seat, and we look forward to welcoming the new year with you!

Reminder: CD/NLA Early Registration Deadline
2024-01-29 | IL
Early bird registration for the 2024 CD/NLA show ends today!
This year’s show is at the MGM Grand Las Vegas from March 3rd through 6th. More information and registration on the event website.

February 2024 ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2024-02-07 09:30 - 11:30 | IL

(Virtual) Coffee With The ILLBA: Expand and Optimize Your Affiliate Networks With GNet
2024-02-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual / Zoom
This month’s topic:Expand and Optimize Your Affiliate Networks With GNet
Amir Zafar of Gridd Technologies will lead our discussion.
About Amir:Amir Zafar has over 30 years of experience in system integration and technology related ventures, ranging from developing systems for police & fire departments, CRM systems, financial systems and e-commerce integrations. He founded GRiDD Technologies CA, Inc. in August 2011 in order to provide much needed connectivity solutions for the chauffeur driven industry. In 2015, GNet was launched to solve a crucial and complex problem for the industry, which was cross connectivity between transportation providers to serve their clients worldwide. Today, GNet is widely considered to be this industry’s most viable and only neutral platform connecting multiple software networks. GNet provides fleet visibility and real-time updates for farmed-out rides worldwide, thus broadening the reach and connectivity for affiliates and partners. To date, GNet has over 3,200 affiliate members worldwide and is proud to be integrated with over 35 systems across the globe.
Register now to join the Zoom meeting. A link to the meeting will be provided in a separate confirmation email. Due to an issue with Constant Contact, please add the Zoom link manually to your calendar.
We look forward to seeing you! All ILLBA members (and non-members) are welcome. It’s not a requirement to participate – you can always simply listen and learn.
Our Coffee With The ILLBA series is a free, monthly opportunity for a rotating panel of our experienced national and global operators to share their expertise and insights on various subjects and talking points relevant to the transportation industry. Moderated in real time by our team, and fully recorded for future viewing, these conversations allow our community to come together to develop and strengthen business practices, strategies, and connections across the industry.
Follow along as we cover new topics each month. Topic ideas? Contact Paula Debiasi.

March 2024 ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2024-03-01 09:30 - 11:30 | IL

2024 CD / NLA Show (4-day event)
2024-03-03 - 2024-03-06 | IL
Join your fellow operators and vendors for the chauffeured transportation industry’s biggest event of the year: the 2024 CD/NLA Show in fabulous Las Vegas!
Network with thousands of your industry peers March 3rd-6th at the MGM Grand, conveniently located on The Strip. Expand your mind and become a stronger and more resilient business leader with our extensive roster of future-focused sessions and roundtables, then shop our largest show floor and talk one-on-one with all the leading vendors, OEMs, and suppliers. Plus, we’ll have plenty of networking opportunities so you can build lasting business relationships.
The ideas, innovation, and ROI abound in Vegas this March. Register now, and we’ll see you there!

IN-PERSON Breakfast With The ILLBA
2024-03-19 08:30 - 10:30 | IL
Join us for our first in-person breakfast event of the year! Location and registration details coming soon.
Topic suggestions? Reach out to Paula or any board member.
Sponsorships opportunities are available! Contact the ILLBA office for details.

2024 CD / NLA Retreat Miami
2024-04-02 - 2024-04-03 | IL
Mark your calendars! Details coming soon.

April 2024 ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2024-04-03 09:30 - 11:30 | IL

(Virtual) Coffee With The ILLBA: Save The Date
2024-04-16 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-06-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual / Zoom
All ILLBA members (and non-members) are welcome! It’s not a requirement to participate – you can always simply listen and learn.
Our Coffee With The ILLBA series is a free, monthly opportunity for a rotating panel of our experienced national and global operators to share their expertise and insights on various subjects and talking points relevant to the transportation industry. Moderated in real time by our team, and fully recorded for future viewing, these conversations allow our community to come together to develop and strengthen business practices, strategies, and connections across the industry.
Follow along as we cover new topics each month. Topic ideas? Contact Paula Debiasi.

2024 NLA Day On The Hill
2024-05-14 - 2024-05-15 | IL
NLA Day On The Hill – Advocating For The IndustryMay 14-15th
What’s It All About?
The National Limousine Association’s Day on the Hill is an annual event where NLA members meet with their elected representatives in Washington, D.C. in an effort to educate them on the issues facing our industry.
The NLA is honored this year to have Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) as our guest for our NLA Day on the Hill fundraising luncheon, taking place at Cornerstone Government Affairs on Tuesday, May 14. A long-serving member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Senator Shaheen is currently the committee chair.
Senator Shaheen is a long-time friend of our industry. She stepped up as our champion several years ago ago when the federal Department of Labor announced that they would compel companies such as ours to pay “overtime on gratuities.” Strictly because of her efforts, that crazy idea never came to pass. She has met with an NLA group numerous times during Day on the Hill visits over the years, and during the pandemic, both she and her senior staff made themselves accessible to hear our concerns.
Show Your Industry Support
Even if you are not an NLA member or cannot attend Day on the Hill, the advocacy efforts of the NLA benefit everyone in the industry.
You do not need to be an NLA member to contribute to this fundraiser. Contributions from vendors, members and friends in any amounts are welcome.
To show your support for Senator Shaheen and our industry, please contribute here.
All contributions must be in personal funds – company credit cards cannot be used for this purpose.
Illinois representatives Tracy Raimer and Kathy Kahne of Windy City Limousine and Bus, and Day on the Hill Scholarship winners Paula DeBiasi (IL) and Candace Wise (IN) will be in attendance.
Interested in attending Day on the Hill? There is still time! Click here for details; registration closes May 7th.
Questions? Contact the ILLBA Office

IN-PERSON Breakfast With The ILLBA
2024-05-21 08:30 - 10:30 | Lumes Brunch Cafe, 900 Plainfield Road, Willowbrook, IL, 60527, United States
Register now and get inspired at our spring breakfast event! Join Jim Jordan, ILLBA director and president of Lux Tux Transportation, as he leads the discussion on this month’s topic: Low Cost Marketing and Branding Ideas.
Topic suggestions for next time? Contact Paula or any board member.

May 2024 ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2024-05-22 09:30 - 11:30 | IL

2024 CD / NLA Executive Retreat Miami
2024-06-02 - 2024-06-05 | IL
This year the CD/NLA Executive Retreat heads to the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach! Join your community from June 2nd-5th to blend industry-focused education and immersive networking with the vibrant culture of Miami Beach. These retreats are built for operators who want to take their business to the next level, while also having fun doing it. In addition to advanced educational sessions, dedicated networking, and all-inclusive meals, you’ll sample the local flavor during special retreat-only evening dining experiences — usually offsite, and always memorable. And don’t worry, there will be time for lounging by the water!
Space fills up fast for this event, which is limited to 200 operators, so be sure to register now.

June 2024 ILLBA Board of Directors Meeting
2024-06-12 09:30 - 11:30 | IL
