April 2, 2026 | by Shandra Martinez |
MARLTON, N.J. — The luxury ground transportation industry is transitioning. Operators are dealing with rising insurance costs, increased competition and emerging technologies.
Those are insights from Brett Barenholtz, president of the National Limousine Association, based on what he saw at the group’s annual 2026 CD/NLA Show last month in Las Vegas.
Barenholtz observed that member companies are juggling managing immediate financial strain while tracking developments that could change how the industry operates.
“If you have zero issues with insurance this year, you will still get a bill that is 20% higher with no claims,” said Barenholtz, CEO of Canton, Massachusetts-based Above All Transportation, Maine Limousine, Boston Car Service, and ETS International.
Insurance costs remain a major concern across the industry. This comes as operators look for ways to grow and invest in new tools.
He adds that operators are paying close attention to advances in autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence. That could impact operations over time, from fleet management to customer service.
“I wouldn’t say autonomous vehicles are an issue,” Barenholtz said. “It’s just something we want to see what’s going on with.”
Thinking internationally
The comments reflect discussions at the March 1–3 conference, which drew more than 2,000 attendees from 40 countries and focused on business strategy, technology and operations, including the growing use of AI tools.
The association is also expanding its international footprint. It plans to host its first overseas conference in Paris in 2027, part of a broader effort to connect operators and expand coordinated service across global markets.
The majority of the industry’s business continues to come from corporate travel. Reliability and service standards remain key factors for clients.
Many companies, particularly smaller operators and newer entrants, are focused on expansion and market positioning.
“A lot of our members want to know how to scale up, how to market, what to do,” Barenholtz said.
Consistency, safety
Illegal operators remain a concern in many markets, he said. He describes them as unlicensed drivers who offer rides without proper insurance or oversight.
“You’re highly at risk if there’s ever an issue, and nobody’s vetting,” Barenholtz said.
The industry continues to distinguish itself from ride-hailing services by emphasizing reliability, trained drivers and consistent service standards, particularly in corporate travel.
“We always say when you absolutely positively need to get where you’re going, use us,” he said.
Consistency remains a central selling point. Companies are focusing on trained drivers, newer vehicles and standardized service.
“We are all about exceptional service, consistently,” Barenholtz said.
He noted the recent Las Vegas event also highlighted continued investment in technology and global partnerships. Exhibitors ranged from vehicle manufacturers to software providers.
Looking ahead, Barenholtz said operators will need to balance rising costs with technological changes and evolving customer expectations.
“We’re just going to keep hammering home that our members are safer,” he said.