TORRANCE, Calif. — Bobit Business Media, the parent company of School Bus Fleet, announced on Wednesday the creation of a new association: the Global Ground Transportation Institute (GGTI).

The GGTI has been established for professionals from the limousine, shuttle bus, motorcoach, and autonomous vehicle industries and beyond. These industries span Bobit Business Media’s transportation and fleet brands.

Bobit, which is the owner of SBF’s sister publication, LCT Magazine, and its trade shows, will begin inviting its subscribers and audiences to join GGTI through its publications and email newsletters in late July.

Sherb Brown, Bobit Business Media president and chief revenue officer, said that the idea for the GGTI was born out of the need for an ultimate resource for benchmarking, training, and connecting with other industry professionals.

“Bobit has served these industries for decades, and we believe the Global Ground Transportation Institute is just the next step, filling the need for a global, responsive and diverse ground transportation networking and education platform that focuses on helping professionals and industry leaders find success not only now, but in the years to come,” Brown said.

Bobit’s fleet-specific brands include 250,000 fleet professionals, nine magazines, 13 conferences and trade shows, 11 industry websites, and associated email newsletters. Bobit covers every aspect of the fleet market including commercial, rental, and government fleets that utilize cars, vans, and light-medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Bobit is also a known player in the autonomous vehicle space with its Fleet Forward Conference.

Specific to the chauffeured transportation industry, LCT Magazine is the most iconic media brand in its category, with more than 10,000 print subscribers, almost 4,000 digital magazine subscribers and more than 8,000 enewsletter subscribers.

One of LCT Magazine’s associated events, the International LCT Show, will celebrate its 36th year running in February, making it the longest-running trade show in the limousine industry. The International LCT Show brings attendees and exhibitors from across the globe to Las Vegas every spring, with more than 40 countries represented at last year’s event. GGTI members who wish to exhibit at or attend LCT East in November 2019 will be the first to receive special discounted registration rates.

Additionally, SBF’s other sister publication, METRO Magazine, has served the bus and rail markets since 1904, currently reaching more than 22,000 subscribers every month. METRO’s BusCon event has been considered the largest bus show for the past two decades.

The Global Ground Transportation Institute is already generating buzz, receiving support from other industry groups.

GGTI is not a lobbying group, and there will be no legislative functions.

Sarah Gazi, certified association executive (CAE) and executive director of GGTI, said the institute will help unify all segments of ground transportation. 

"Some cool things will be coming for the members following the launch and in the coming months as this new community grows and evolves,” Gazi said.

The board of directors for GGTI is currently being established. To learn more about membership and volunteer opportunities, please contact Sarah Gazi at sarah.gazi@bobit.com.

About Bobit Business Media

Deeply committed to providing important content to each of its verticals, Bobit Business Media has successfully grown and innovated over 55-plus years. The company employs more than 170 talented associates in areas such as editorial, audience marketing, ad sales, production, digital media, events, research, and accounting. Bobit Business Media is headquartered in Torrance, Calif. The company was founded in 1961 and was acquired by Gemspring Capital, a middle-market private equity firm, last November.