5 Tips To Get Around Houston During the Super Bowl
5 Tips for Getting Around Houston During Super Bowl 51
1. Leave your car at home.
Driving and parking will be possible but extremely difficult. It’s best to Bike, walk or take public transit to get to the Arena and around Houston during Super Bowl week. Metro will be running extra hours. Downtown visitors can also take advantage of some free shuttles. You can rely on Deluxe Limousine & Transportation to take you around town. We have sedans, SUVs, stretch limos, shuttle buses, sprinter vans, and party buses. Leave your cars at home and book with us.
2. Plan ahead and allow for extra time.
We are working with all of our regional partners to get you where you need to go, but your usual commute may have changed due to road closures and traffic patterns. Check here for road closures and info for getting around town: Houston Super Bowl Transportation
3. Plan your night outs, there are lots to do including the Traveling Night Club for Super Bowl 51. Buy your tickets in advance.
Club Nomadic, a roaming 62,500-square-foot nightclub, broke ground Nov. 29 ahead of the Super Bowl. It will be located north of Washington Avenue at the Sawyers Yard art district.
4. Modify your work schedule.
Work remotely, stagger your work hours or take that vacation you deserve so you don’t have to deal with the frustration of traffic or getting to work late.
5. Enjoy the event – Super Bowl City’s Hometown Weekend, January 27 – February 5, 2017.
Are you a local fan? Take advantage of the added weekend of Super Bowl City, planned especially for locals to enjoy before the out of town crowds arrive. The biggest Super Bowl crowds are expected in downtown at a ten-day festival, lots of activities at Discovery Green in Houston and the George R. Brown Convention Center. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett is expecting about 100,000 people a day to take part in those events.
10 Common Misconceptions about Houston Limousine Services
Although Houston limousine companies have been around a long time, some people still have misconceptions about services. In reality, limousine companies have become a critical part of the transportation industry.
The Most Common Houston Limousine Misconceptions
1. Houston Limousine Services are the Same—The first misconception about limousine services is that they are all the same. In truth, there are big differences between services, companies, and fleets. For example, most people envision a stretch limo when hearing the word “limousine,” but these companies actually have a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, buses, mini-coaches, and more.
2. Only Ground Transportation—Some people think that limousine services consist of ground transportation only. While this is true for most companies, there are some that offer air transportation as well.
3. Only for the Rich and Famous—One of the biggest misconceptions is that limo services are only for high-profile people or those of wealth. But because limo services are affordable, virtually anyone can utilize them.
4. In-Town Transportation—Although Houston limousine services cover city parameters, most companies will drive you anywhere, even to another city or state
5. Large Blocks of Booked Time—Another misconception is that you have to book a limo for a minimum of four hours. In truth, many limo companies charge only for the time used. Therefore, if you are picked up at the airport and dropped off at the hotel for a total of 1.5 hours, you are billed for 1.5 hours.
6. Limo Companies Are Shady—This stereotype came from the Mafia era, when limos were commonly used. Today’s limo companies are owned and operated by honest and hard-working professionals who take the service seriously.
7. Drivers Have Little Training—To work as a chauffeur, an individual has a special license as a result of completing extensive training and education. In fact, today’s chauffeurs are mandated to continue education for the comfort and safety of passengers.
8. Special Events Only—Although people commonly hire limousine services for big events like weddings and proms, this mode of ground transportation can be enjoyed for any reason.
9. No Customization—While some people still believe that limo services cannot be customized, this is far from true. Reputable companies go out of their way to ensure that you have everything you need and more.
10. Limos are Unsafe—Compared to rental cars, buses, and public transportation, limousine services are extremely safe. Remember, chauffeurs complete initial training and are required to continue training, making them some of the safest drivers on the road.
Outstanding Ground Transportation
Without question, limousine services are the best method of ground transportation available. With them, you enjoy a convenient, comfortable, safe, and cost-effective service. Deluxe Limousine of Houston offers a vehicle for every reason! Call us today to book your ride!
PRO TIPS FOR PLANNING CORPORATE TRAVEL
Corporate travel is becoming longer and more complicated. Gone are the days when you can simply land at the airport, take a taxi to your satellite office, and offer a quick presentation. In fact, most such functions are now handled online. Modern corporate travel entails meeting with clients, attempting to persuasively engage business people from different cultures and expanding business operations. Needless to say, it’s not as simple and straightforward as it used to be. So, we’d like to offer a few trips for corporate travel.
Always plan ahead. Find out where you’re staying, and plan your corporate travel around that. Always determine how far away your accommodations are from the office. Then, determine the likelihood that you’ll need to take clients, partners or potential customers out for lunch, dinner or even an activity. You’ll need to determine which venues in the area offer specific dishes or popular shows.
Also, try to coordinate all of your arrangements before actually setting out. If you plan to hire a transportation service, provide them with your flight number and expected arrival time. Let them know which gate you will arrive at and whether or not you will need assistance carrying luggage (though a professional service should include this anyways). Let them know which hotel you will be staying at. Speaking of the hotel, always call to confirm your reservation after it has been made but before you depart.
With business travel, never assume that you have all of the information. Itineraries aren’t perfect, and last-minute changes are bound to happen while you’re in transit. Be versatile and don’t expect the trip to go exactly as planned. Find out how to reach at various levels of the business if something goes wrong and save their numbers into your phone. Make notes of alternative meeting locations for clients. And always be prepared for the unexpected. Which brings us to our next point:
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that you’ll always be meeting with people who are originally from your destination. Businesses are growing, and people are moving. There’s always a strong possibility that you’ll be meeting with people from different countries and cultures. Learn to exercise communication awareness. It’s tempting to assume that you’re all here for the same purpose (making money), but everyone has goals of their own. Be sensitive to your audience.
Plan your budget carefully. Don’t just set funds for the trip; consider anything that could go wrong and how much it may cost. Also, consider any unexpected plans set by clients, such as dinner or a night out. While it’s ideal to have accommodations, transportation and reservations set in advance, remember that these may change unexpectedly, and refunds may not be available immediately.
Don’t try to handle it all alone, as you’ve got enough to worry about. After all, when planning corporate travel, you’re probably going to have a substantial workload already. Don’t be afraid to let others take some of the burden for you. As an example, caterers can help plan important corporate events or parties. And a trusted local transportation provider can offer exquisite limousine services at affordable prices to help you get around. Needless to say, when traveling for businesses, you will find locals willing to help.
Speaking of local transportation, Deluxe Limousine & Transportation’s Houston services can help plan the logistics of your corporate travel plans. We know this city well and will help plan routine trips as well as any last minute changes. Let us focus on the transportation while you focus on your business needs. As an added bonus, hiring a professional Houston limousine service for your corporate travel means that you can get more work done while in transit. Give us a call to learn how planning corporate travel can be much easier with Deluxe Limousine and Transportation!
Deluxe Limousine Helps You Celebrate the Holidays!
Houston has made a name for itself in many respects: bustling city, sports hub and even coastal destination. However, it is much lesser known for its holiday offerings. This is unfortunate, as Christmas brings many delights to Space City. Deluxe Limousine likes to help visitors discover this unique aspect of the Houston area, including The Woodlands, Tomball, Spring and surrounding areas, with our holiday limousine services offered throughout the area. Journey with us in luxury as we introduce you to the city’s most mesmerizing lights, shows and events.
It all starts at the mayor’s hall, where Houston offers a tree lighting ceremony that rivals the experience of Rockefeller Square. Santa himself shows up to greet children and brighten the mood. Even if you don’t make it in time for the ceremony, you’ll still enjoy the beautiful lights set against our majestic cityscape. And best of all, you’ll enjoy it from the comfort of one of our luxurious and stylish limousines.
Our Houston holiday lights limo tour service will then bring you to one of several other destinations for exuberant Christmas light displays. Take the Magical Winter Lights at Gulf Greyhound Park as an example, where the trees seem to take on a glow of their own. You’ll find vendors offering tasty snacks and unique souvenirs along the way. Don’t worry about going a little crazy; our limousines offer plenty of cargo room for your trip.
Then there’s River Oaks Park, where a quick drive brings you up close with large, beautifully shaped oak trees adorned in festive lights. You’ll even find strands draped from the branches artfully resembling snowfall (a rare site in Houston for sure). Sometimes, the roads here can get a little crowded. But with the many amenities offered in our limousine, complimented by the beauty just outside, we promise you won’t be disappointed.
So, just what are these amenities? Imagine enjoying Houston’s most vibrant holiday lights as your favorite Christmas tunes play over a premium stereo system. Then, picture enjoying some of your favorite holiday cookies and appetizers, only to wash it down with rich hot chocolate or traditional eggnog. And all the while, you’re surrounded by beautiful decor celebrating the season both in and out of your ride. With Deluxe Limousine & Transportation’s holiday limo service, you won’t have to imagine; we’ll make it a reality.
But don’t let that stop you from getting out and enjoying the sites up close. We’re happy to wait while you explore! Feel free to take a stroll through the park or enjoy a spontaneous show. In fact, unlimited stops are offered with all of our Houston limousine services. Needless to say, we’ll be happily waiting when you get back.
Of course, while Deluxe Limousine & Transportation does offer family-friendly holiday limousine tours, we also understand that Houston’s nightlife doesn’t end during the holidays. In fact, some would argue that Christmas is when it really comes to life. You’ll find clubs and bars offering your favorite traditional and seasonal beverages on tap. Houston’s venues also offer a variety of holiday favorites on stage, whether it’s a theatrical performance or celebrated musicians. We want you to enjoy everything our city’s premiere clubs and bars have to offer this holiday season, which is why we offer safe and reliable transportation for all of your nightlife adventures.
We’ve only mentioned a few of the many holiday sites and experiences awaiting you in our city. The best part of our holiday limousine services in Houston is that your trip can be customized to visit the sites you find most appealing. If you’d like to book your trip, or find a little help planning, our Houston travel professionals are ready to help. We book fast during the holidays, so gives us a call today!
4 Reasons Why You May Want to Work With a Travel Agent
Are you about to book your next flight? Before you click the “book now” button, you might want to check with your friendly neighborhood travel agent. Travel agencies still exist — and, in fact, they offer some of the best deals for flights and hotels. Here are just a few reasons why they may be preferable to booking on your own.
1. Travel Agents Have Discount Rates
Whether you’re booking through a third-party website or the hotel itself, you’re usually getting the same rate. There is only one rate that most hotels and airlines offer, regardless of where you book. But travel agents are different because they book a bulk amount of rooms and space at a better rate — a rate they can pass on to you.
2. Travel Agents Give Advice
No matter how seasoned a traveler you are, there are locations you just don’t know about. Travel agents can give important and timely advice — such as letting you know that a particular area is currently experiencing health issues, or that a specific area is much cheaper. Some travel agents may even be able to educate you on the normal traffic conditions!
3. Travel Agents Are Faster
Sometimes you just don’t want to have to worry about making your own reservations. By creating a trusting relationship with an agent, you can simply call and say “I need to go to Dallas on Friday.” And then the agent will make it happen — all while ensuring that you have the most convenient travel plans at the best possible cost.
4. Travel Agents Can Provide Additional Services
Travel agents think of everything — and they know what’s available. Do you have special concerns, such as needing a business center, or requiring accommodations for a disability? A travel agent will already know exactly what services to arrange in advance and which accommodations are most suitable for you. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to comb through reviews or contact multiple hotels and services to ensure that everything is set up for you.
Of course, for things that you need often — such as car services — it’s best to book directly so that you can foster a relationship with a company. But for one time trips, a travel agency is often cheaper and easier. Call Deluxe Limousine for your ride—we are expertly trained in every aspect of ground transportation and are happy to help you.
Why Use a Houston Limousine Service for Executive Travel?
Getting to and from a destination can be a fairly stressful experience, but an executive car service can make it all a breeze. Thankfully, Deluxe Limousine & Transportation is here to make our transportation experience as easy as a phone call and a booking with our service. That being said, here’s more detailed information regarding executive car services and how they can benefit you.
Setting One Up
Setting an executive car service up is the simplest step in the process, as contacting them beforehand is all that’s needed. Whether you call, email or book online, you simply communicate your requirements. Once the information is received by Deluxe, the information is confirmed with you to ensure it’s correct. With availability twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, Deluxe Limousine is there when you need us. Once your information is confirmed, be assured that your ride will meet – and exceed – your expectations.
About The Car
Luxury car service is just that: luxurious comfortable transportation. The luxury SUVs and Sedans offer tinted windows for your privacy and protection from the sunlight. The clean, upholstered seats are convincing enough to make one assume that a new car was purchased strictly for their own transportation needs. Deluxe Limousine is here to make your ride a peaceful and relaxing experience.
About The Chauffeur
Not only you’re getting a vehicle that suits your interests, but the person behind the wheel is on your side as well. Every Deluxe Limousine chauffeur is uniformed and licensed to perform the task at hand. They are highly trained and very knowledgeable of the Houston and surrounding areas. Our chauffeurs are expertly trained in defensive driving to assure you that you’ll have a comfortable ride to your given destination. Between the chauffeur’s training and knowledge of the area, your route will be the fastest, smoothest ride that will provide more rides for you – again – in the future.
We are happy to help you with every aspect of your ground transportation needs, whether for personal travel or executive travel. With an impressive fleet of sedans, SUVs, stretch limousines, vans and minibuses, we have a vehicle for every need. Call us today (832) 447-1234
Remote Team Management Productivity Tips
For seasoned business travelers, a full week in the office can sometimes be a rare occurrence. Between back to back travel itineraries on top of work responsibilities, it’s hard to balance time managing your team while you’re on the road. If you’re management level staff, remote team management can be particularly challenging to not only supervise, but develop and direct a team you’re often not with in person to manage. Thankfully, because it’s a hot topic at the moment, remote team management is made easier with technology and a little bit of dedication. Here are four tips to help you manage your team while on the road:
Practice Good Communication
When you’re all in the same office at the same time, the chances of a misunderstood email is not as common as when you are on the road. It’s much easier to clarify what someone intended when they sent an email in person, than from afar. With remote team management, when you’re on the road, it’s critical for you to clearly know your intention in what you want to say in the email. Be sure to fully explain the critical points and avoid ambiguous titles altogether. Avoid the over-use of emoticons and abbreviations – you don’t want your email to read as a text message to your team. Be specific in your directions and clear in your expectation on deliverables, and avoid just forwarding threads without explanation and unexplained attachments.
Use Reliable Technology Tools
Thanks to the innovation of technology, remote ream management is easier today than even a few years ago. Although there is no one-stop solution for all your technology challenges, there are a few tools which we recommend to help you better manage your team remotely:
- The second best way to still have face to face communication is by Video Conferencing. Whether you use Google Hangouts, Skype, WebEx or Go-To Meeting, using video conferencing allows all participants to see non-verbal communication elements that are missing from email communication and even phone communication.
- Use Project Management Software to keep team members on task. Software such as Zoho and Basecamp can allow transparency in tasks and projects, and allows for good organization practices and less missed deadlines.
- Internal Wiki, a modern day encyclopedia. Popular especially with tech companies, an internal wiki has been catching on with non-tech companies too. An Internal wiki allows employees to quickly search to find consistent answers to their questions, without having to ask their supervisor or manager. It also reduces multiple interpretations of answers of common questions. Putting directed answers in an internal wiki reduces inconsistency and increases comprehension of solutions.
Be Transparent
Whether your team is together with you in person or remote, one of the biggest challenges in business is having a disconnect, although the risk is greater with remote teams. One of the best ways to combat a disconnection with your team is transparency. Clearly communicating company and team goals and visions and open communication about performance and expectations produces a cohesiveness that is integral to high performing and connected remote teams. It also sets a good example of leadership that you want your team to display when you’re not in the office.
In Remote Management Teams We Trust
It goes without saying that you need to be able to trust your team to meet their goals while you are not in the office. Without trust, there is tension and negative energy that can eat away at all that is good with healthy, functioning teams. Micromanagement and over-supervision can not only be stressful to managers but to every team member. Take time to build trust and learn to let your employee’s strengths be best used to create a high performance team, whether you’re in the office or not.
As a ground transportation company, we know, first-hand some of the challenges traveling executives face. We hope that these short tips gave you some encouragement and inspiration on remote management. One thing we know is that while you are traveling, let us ensure that your ground transportation is comfortable and relaxed. Call us today to make at least one thing simpler.
Meeting Trends: Meetings That Go Beyond The Boardroom
Meeting coordinators are tasked with far more than ensuring that meetings stay on task. They are charged with providing attendees with an atmosphere of ease and understanding. Information presented can quickly become overwhelming, calling for a need of balance within the meeting room. It’s important for meeting coordinators to create a relaxed atmosphere for all those in attendance.
Natural Revitalization
The latest trend in revitalizing meetings takes place by offering a “forest bath”. As odd as it may sound, a recent article by Successful Meetings notes the unseen values of unplugging from technology and embrace nature at a slow pace of life. A forest bath is quite simply the process of replacing the cumbersome dress shoes of the corporate life and trading them in for a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Attendees participate in mindful walks through nature. Guides are provided to provide participants focus and knowledge of their surroundings.
Forest baths may differ depending on location, but one thing remains consistent, participants must unplug and embrace the quiet around them. This technique provides relaxation, reduced stress, and the relief of over stimulation from technology.
Beyond the Boardroom
The Mukul Beach Golf & Spa in Nicaragua provides group guided specialized tours of the local rainforests. The unique tours provide an opportunity to see breathtaking flora and fauna of the Nicaraguan rainforests and experience life beyond spreadsheets and boardrooms. The noise pollution of the city is replaced by the majestic sounds of indigenous wildlife and bird population. The slow walk allows each participant to take the hike at their own pace. Guides often encourage participants to pause and consider the nature that surrounds them.
Some forest bath locations offer specialized yoga and meditation treatments. These treatments teach participants techniques they can utilize in their daily life to reduce stress. Most forest baths take place over the course of a mile and last roughly an hour, depending on the pace since participants are encouraged to move slowly. Bathers are able to commune with nature and reflect on their inner self and goals in life. It provides participants with the ability to practice stress relief methods in a calm environment.
Taking advantage of unplugging from the stresses of life can improve health, receive stress, improve morale, and produce healthy sleeping habits. Meeting coordinators will find great success in taking advantage of forest baths and higher productivity in the future from all participants. In turn, the happier participants are, the more likely they are to seek out your services as a meeting coordinator.
Did you know that Deluxe Limousine can help you transport your meeting attendees at every point of travel, from airport transfers to point-to-point between meeting activities? Call our groups and meeting experts at (832) 447-1234 or email service@deluxelimohouston.com today for your free, no-obligation consultation.