Posted by Bill Faeth on Tue, Mar 13, 2012 @ 08:01 AM
St. Patrick's Day in Nashville - You Drink...We Drive
While St. Patrick's Day is a celebration of Saint Patrick, one of the patron Saints of Ireland, it is also most definitely the ultimate beer lover’s holiday. So whether or not you decide to drink green beer, you can find plenty to do in Nashville on St. Patrick's Day.
The only thing we ask is… Don’t Take the Chance!
Many of us will venture out to our local pub with friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and drink a pint or two, or perhaps three of our favorite green beer in and around Nashville. All local Irish Pubs and watering holes will surely be packed. Fortunately for all of us here in Nashville, there are plenty of fantastic places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
If you are out celebrating with you friends this St. Patrick’s Day don’t take the chance, and leave the driving to us. We will have vehicles “on-call” and waiting for you if you need a safe ride home from your favorite Nashville Tavern. It is a very simple process in securing safe transportation with Grand Avenue.
How to Get a Safe Ride Home
1. Call Us at (615) 714-5466.
2. Let us know where to pick you up & how many passengers you have.
3. Select your vehicle type.
4. Meet your vehicle outside of your favorite tavern in 15 minutes.
· If you would like to be proactive and secure transportation in advance, please contact us at any time, as we are available 24 hours a day to serve you.
· Fleet: Sedans | SUVs | Vans | Limousines | Limo Buses | Mini Buses | Motor Coaches | Vintage Vehicles | Hybrids
Posted by Guest Post on Thu, Mar 08, 2012 @ 09:15 AM
Guest Post by: Kathryn Kopp
As dogwoods blossom and warmer days tease us with the anticipation of spring, beautiful Nashville seems to take on energy of its own. One of the largest geographical areas of any city in the United States, Nashville has an intense aura for both those who call it home as well as those who visit. Tucked within the three flowing sides of the Highland Rim, all 4,073 square miles unfold to events of untold proportions throughout the year, but the mere thought of spring seems to put a bounce in the steps of natives and guests alike as weddings begin to bud like cherry trees, runners and walkers dot the abundant city parks, the Farmer’s Market increases in its offering of delicious wares and facilities once closed for the winter, slowly emerge from their cocoons and back to a livelihood of color.
Most enchanting is watching as daylight transforms and casts evening onto Nashville’s downtown streets. As darkness gently covers the city, the dynamics of downtown emerge to a vivid state of exhilaration and the city seems to breathe a life of its own as hundreds of doors open, offering a multitude of diverse events to those waiting at the city’s feet.
One to meet and exceed the desires of its visitors, Nashville’s events offer the finest in performing arts, entertainment, sports, shopping and so much more. Should it be your first visit or one of many, the choices are endless and do not have to be met with a schedule as there is always something materializing in the city with history of days gone by or history in the making, whose coffee was coined by President Theodore Roosevelt as, “good to the last drop!” For instance, tracking this particular phrase through Nashville’s history would bring you to the doorsteps of a 30,000 square foot limestone Georgian-style mansion with splendor abundantly cascading about the surrounding formal gardens that rest joyfully upon the estate’s 55 pristine acres. Its creation dates back to 1932 after Joel Cheek created, with his extended family as investors, an aromatic coffee, found at one of Nashville’s hotels “Maxwell House.” In 1928 “Cheek-Neal Coffee” was sold by the family, who went on to build their new home, the “Cheekwood”.
Today, through the efforts of the Exchange Club of Nashville, the Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee and other civic groups, with the donations of many, such as the Nashville Museum of Art, over 175,000 tour what is now Cheekwood’s Museum of Art. Inside the mansion you will find activities offered within a diverse collection of American, British and contemporary art, as well as the palate tempting, exquisite and delightful Pineapple Room Restaurant. Outside you will find flowing acres of botanical gardens, sculpture trails and featured outdoor exhibitions.
As is with so much of Nashville’s past, Cheekwood continues to be a large part of Nashville’s present and one of Nashville's most popular wedding destinations.
Posted by Bill Faeth on Mon, Mar 05, 2012 @ 01:35 PM
Renting a limo for a prom can be a daunting task for parents and students alike. “How many people are in our group?” “Whose credit card are we going to use?” “Is everyone paying an equal share for the limo?” “What happens if our limo doesn’t show up?”
These are just a few of the questions that parents have to deal with when they begin the search for a limo for their child’s prom. Below we will provide some valuable insight as to how to answer these questions before you rent a limo for a prom.
1. How many people are in our group? The answer to this question will determine what size limousine you will need to rent. The larger the passenger capacity for the limousine the higher the cost.
2. How are we going to pay? This is always the most difficult question when securing a limo for a prom because not all limousine companies have the same policies. Some take deposits and some don’t. Most will require a credit card to be pre-authorized and then charged after the trip is complete. If you are the parent booking the limo for the prom be sure to get all of the pricing in writing from the limousine company including their cancellation policy.
3. My limo never showed up! This happens every year. You must do your due diligence on the front end prior to booking a limo for your prom.
a. Vist the limousine company's office and see the operation and the limousine you wish to rent in person. This is a very important first step as you wil know if you want to do business with this company after you visit.
b. Check the company's "Better Business Bureau" rating online.
c. Obtain a written confirmation that includes dates, times, hourly costs, cancellayion policy, etc.
d. Ask the limousin company to give you an "On Time Guarantee".
4. Why are there additional charges? Many companies use a base rate plus model. You must be sure that the company has supplied you with an “all inclusive” rate in writing or you can expect to have additional charges added on after your trip.
The single biggest mistake that most students and parents make when renting a limo for their prom is selecting the cheapest price they can find. As we all know there is a difference between Price & Cost. Cost has value. Price does not have value. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Most limousine companies will have 6-8 hour minimums during prom weekends with a standard 8-pax limousine ranging from $95.00 -$120.00 per hour.
We hope you have a tremendous experience with the limousine service you select for your upcoming prom. If you have any additional questions please comment below and we will respond.
Posted by Bill Faeth on Fri, Feb 24, 2012 @ 12:38 PM
Leading up to and now following the ILCT Show two weeks ago, here is the biggest question on everyone’s mind in the limousine industry “What vehicle is going to replace the Lincoln town car?”
The replacement of the town car will be the biggest fundamental change the limousine industry has seen in years.
After talking to several operators and manufacturers at the ILCT Show, there currently is no clear cut favorite. This is disappointing for limousine companies that need to make a purchase now. The medium and small sized companies are waiting for the large operators to dictate what the next industry standard will be. If the small guys purchase the wrong vehicle type and provide affiliate services to the large company, they could be in jeopardy of losing that inbound business.
I spoke to Doug Schwartz of Executive Limousine in Long Island about this topic a couple of days ago. Doug is the President of the Long Island Limousine Association and he brought up a great point about gas prices. We are on the verge of $4.50-$5.00 per gallon gas prices. None of the new vehicle options are hybrid, propane or CNG powered, so he believes the best option is the new Chrysler 300 which has the highest MPG. Doug’s point is well taken, as our industry typically passes a fuel surcharge onto the client that currently averages between 7%-12% nationwide.
Most of the manufactures that have a sedan in the livery game were on display at the ICLT Show. My personal favorites were the new BMW and the Hyundai Equuis until Doug brought up the gas mileage. Other sedans that the industry are considering are the Toyota Avalon, Lincoln MKT, Mercedes (various models), and of course the Chrysler 300.
Right now we will wait and see what our clients say. I am not sure that clients will except a Hyundai even though the amenities are on par with the BMW or if clients will even choose a Toyota Avalon. I think Doug is on the right track with the Chrysler 300.
What do you think?
Posted by Bill Faeth on Wed, Feb 22, 2012 @ 10:31 AM
So are we a Limousine Service...?
Over the last few months Grand Avenue has debated this question within our company as we have grown and expanded our service offerings. After much discussion, I have found that we are not the only company in our industry that is asking this very same question.
In the last two months I have attended two industry conferences. First I attended The American Bus Association, (ABA) conference in Dallas, TX in January, and then the International Limousine, Charter, Tour conference in Las Vegas, NV last week. I had the opportunity to meet with many operators in both the bus and limousine industries and this question came up in almost every conversation.
Many limousine services have added buses to their fleet to meet the demand for large groups and the growing charter bus market. We have done the same, as we now operate 8 full size motor coaches, 1 mid-size motor coach, and 3 minibuses and limo buses.
The funny part about this question is that most people outside of the industry, (i.e. customers) think we are a “Limousine Service.” We only have 4 limousines in our fleet of 56 vehicles. The vast majority of our fleet is made up of sedans and SUVs to service executives and corporate travelers. This type of fleet is very common as the fleet makeup nationwide has moved away from limousines due to the recession.
With that being said how would you or your customers refer to this type of service?
- Limousine Service
- Transportation Service
- Limousine & Bus Service
We would love to hear your feedback. Please write your comments below and start the conversation. We’re listening.
Posted by Bill Faeth on Fri, Dec 30, 2011 @ 06:40 PM
Grand Avenue is a proud sponsor of the Music City Bash on Broadway!
This New Year's Eve, park at LP Field, and Grand Avenue will drop you in the heart of the action on 1st Avenue. No reservations are required, and plenty of parking spaces are available.
If you are planning on attending the Music City Bash on Broadway and decide you need a ride home, or to your hotel after the Note drops, just walk to one of our two shuttle stands located at 1st Street & Demonbruen and also at 1st Street & Church Street. Shuttles will be operating from 6:00pm-3:00am.
For more information, call us at (615) 714-5466.
Posted by Bill Faeth on Thu, Nov 10, 2011 @ 08:39 AM
Nashville hosted the 45th Annual CMA Awards last night at the Bridgestone Arena which was broadcast live via ABC around the world. All eyes, or at least that of country music fans were on Nashville for this annual celebration of country music's top artists.
This is a big week for the city of Nashville. Celebrities from all genres are her to attend the CMA Awards which means hotels are at capacity, restaurant reservations are filled, and transportation companies are at full capacity. The Country Music Association, the Nashville CVB, Bridgestone Arena, Mayor Carl Dean as well many others made it look easy as the city was filled with out of town guests. The Awards Show was packed with 15,000+ to watch Taylor Swift win Entertainer of the Year and even see Lionel Ritchie take the stage, not to mention a funny skit involving Hank Williams Jr to open the show.
Don't let the CMA Awards overshadow the BMI Awards and the Titans/Bengals game that led into CMA Night. This was a great week for Nashville and the hospitality industry as well.
The spotlight now should be on the city of Nashville and how flawlessly it handled this large event and many others year after year.
Mayor Carl Dean spearheaded the new Music City Center which in now under construction adjacent to the Bridgestone Arena and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The MCC will add 850K+ square feet of convention space in the next 18 months. The addition of the MCC is set to change the scope of Nashville and the size of events and conferences Nashville can facilitate putting us on the same plane as larger cities and destination leaders. The MCC has led to new hotels like the 800 room Omni Hotel that is under construction adjacent to the MCC and the recently announced Hyatt Hotel. There is speculation that more hotels are on the way. "If you build it, they will come". Thank you Mayor Dean.
I would be remissed if I didn't give kudos to our staff at Grand Avenue as they have executed flawless transportation all week for our clients and have been burning the midnight oil as this has been the busiest week in the history of our company. Job well done to everyone on our team! Thank you.
Nashville is not just country music. Nashville is about large events, conferences, great restaurants and hotels, and southern hospitality as well as being the home of country music. Come visit and you may decide to stay for a lifetime! I did.
Posted by Bill Faeth on Fri, Nov 04, 2011 @ 01:45 PM
Holiday Light Tour Season and the Magical Experience of Christmas on Wheels is right around the corner.
‘Tis the season to view the best Holiday Lights in Nashville and no holiday would be complete without a Holiday Light Tour with Grand Avenue! Pack up the kids, warm up the cider, charge the video camera and leave the driving to us, as you relax and view the Award Winning Homes in Nashville and Williamson County.
Our Holiday Light Tours are custom designed to create memories that will last a lifetime for any size family or office staff. With Nashville’s largest fleet of sedans, limousines, luxury coaches, and buses we can accommodate any size group from you and your spouse to a large group in our 56 passenger buses. We will strategically design your tour based on your pick-up location and requested sights to maximize the number of locations you will be able to view on your tour. Don’t forget your camera, as there will be plenty of picture opportunities and memories to capture.
Holiday Light Tours start on December 1st and run through New Years Eve every night. A standard Holiday Light Tour will last 3 hours from pick-up to drop-off. If you would like to see all that Nashville and the surrounding area has to offer we suggest a 4 - hour tour. We recommend that you start your Holiday Light Tours between 5:00pm and 7:00pm as many of the lights are turned off around 10:00pm and we cannot control a private home’s light schedule or traffic. The best night's to take a Holiday Light Tour are Sunday-Thursday as the days have the lowest volume of traffic and will allow you to see more homes during your tour.
All of our vehicles will be stocked with drinks, cookies, holiday music, and a professional chauffeur to ensure you and your guests have a holly jolly time.
Posted by Bill Faeth on Tue, Nov 01, 2011 @ 08:23 AM
Chartering a bus has become the most affordable method of transportation for large groups. Depending on how long your bus trip will be, how far you're going and if you'll need local service while at your destination, bus charters are the most economic transportation option. However, if you have never chartered a bus before there are many questions to ask and options to consider.
You have several different options to choose from for charter bus transportation. Be sure to get a coach that will accommodate the total number of passengers in your group. Buses come equipped in many different sizes with the most common being a 56 passenger coach, but there are also 45 passenger, 41 passenger, and 57 passenger coaches available as well. If your group is chartering for an out of town trip you will definitely want to be sure the bus you have selected has a restroom. Most bus companies have standard buses in their fleet, so if you are looking for Wi-Fi, satellite TV, 110V outlets to power your laptop or other amenities you need to ask as these amenities are not standard, or you can click here to view our buses that are equipped with these amenities plus hardwood floors and leather seating.
Most people just assume that every bus company has the required insurance coverage? Don’t assume this, especially if you do not have an existing relationship with the bus company. We always recommend that you ask for a copy of the insurance certificate. The national required insurance coverage is $5 million for inter-state and $1 million for intra-state. Inter-state means they can travel out of state, intra-state means they must remain within the state lines.
A lot of people shop based on price. This can be a cardinal sin as you may not get what you are expecting. You will want to ask the year of the bus, mileage and most importantly if you can stop by and view the bus you will be renting. Keep in mind that buses are built to last for a 1,000,000 miles, but you may not want a bus that is 15 years old and rusting with wore out seats for your guests. So be sure to evaluate what you are getting along with the pricing so you make the best decision for your charter.
Most group charters are operating within a budget for their trip, so you will want to ensure you have full pricing confirmed from your bus company in writing. Does your price include fuel surcharge? If you are traveling out of town is the driver’s room included in your quote? Are you being charged per mile or on a day rate?
Ask the bus company if they have USDOT and MC numbers? If they don’t you will need to find another company. The USDOT is the federal governing body over large passenger vehicles that seat 15 passengers and up. USDOT requires all buses to be marked with the USDOT number and a tremendous amount of compliance to ensure bus companies are operating safely. Most people are not familiar with USDOT Regulations, so you will need to know that a bus driver can only drive up to 10 hours in a 15 hour day before they must be off the clock for 8 hours. You will need to keep this in mind if you are planning a long bus trip.
The long and short of this post is to do your due diligence and ask lots of questions before you rent a bus for your next charter. If you have any questions that we can assist with please don’t hesitate to call. We are here to help.
Posted by Bill Faeth on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 09:33 AM
Great Chauffeurs!
Every limousine company markets that they have new vehicles and talk about how good their customer service is and both of these points are a prerequisite to have a great limousine service, but having great chauffeurs is crucial.
The chauffeur is the first and last impression of your company. Sure your customer representatives talk to your clients over the phone when taking reservations, but how many times do they shake your clients hand? The quality of a limousine service's chauffeur staff can make or break the client's experience and the companies relationship with that client.
So what goes into being a great chauffeur?
Preparation & Anticipation
These are two key elements to being a great chauffeur. A great chauffeur must be prepared first by anticipating what his/her client will need or want and every client is different. Preparation begins when a trip is assigned with the standard procedures every chauffeur should complete like checking the trip details (clients name, pick up address, pick up time, vehicle type, routing, etc), but the good chauffeurs will ask a CSR or Dispatcher about special requests or if their any details in the client's profile. The really great chauffeurs will spend a few minutes searching websites such as LinkedIn, Hoovers, or even Facebook to learn about the client's company or interests so they can have the weather report or local courses for a golfer, locate a picture so they can recognize the client, or have restaurant menus loaded on an iPad for an out of town chef.
Anticipation starts when the chauffeur prepares his/her chauffeur kit. I am not sure this is a standard practice, but all of our chauffeurs are equipped with a kit. A great chauffeur will have almost anything a client will need while in the vehicle such as a Tide stick, cell phone chargers for all phone models, binoculars if the client is going to a sporting event or concert, and even sunglasses. Don't we all forget our sunglasses when we travel to Phoenix in July? The kit our Lead Chauffeur has put together for our staff contains 92 items that a client may need. This is anticipation.
Dress for Success
A great chauffeur must also look the part. This can mean many things to many different types of limousine services. For us, it means our chauffeurs are uniformed in black suits, white shirts, and our company tie for corporate clients. Limousine companies that specialize in weddings might have their chauffeurs wear tuxedos. One thing a chauffeur cannot do is dress like an unmade bed with their shirt wrinkled, not clean shaven, or with a stain on his tie. We are professionals serving professionals so dress the part. Remember a chauffeur is the first and last impression for your client when representing your limousine service.
Knowledge is Key
Every chauffeur must know their city and be able to answer client's questions with the "right" answers. What is the best steakhouse in town? Where is the closest Walgreen's? How long will it take to get to my hotel? Do you know if it supposed to rain this afternoon?
These questions seem simple enough, but if the chauffeur is not trained properly they will not have all of these answers for the client. A great chauffeur is a mobile concierge for the client as well a safe driver. If you are a client your chauffeur should be able to deliver. If you are an operator you need to be sure that your chauffeurs are properly trained with a great chauffeur training program. I would take the training step farther and send your chauffeurs to your local CVB for Hospitality training if it is available in your market.
For a more detailed look at what goes into being a great chauffeur check out the Chauffeur Golden Rules.
