Success stories
A former pilot used his understanding of what business travellers want to create an innovative solution to meet customers' needs – an SUV executive shuttle service between Edmonton and Calgary.
Executve Express
Owner: Craig Boechler
Craig Boechler, a former Chief Pilot with Quikair, wants to revolutionize business travel – in particular, he wants to offer an alternative to air or bus service between Calgary and Edmonton. Boechler's business - Executive Express Inc. - ferries business professionals between the two Alberta cities in a fully-equipped, custom-designed, stretch Lincoln Navigator SUV.
The service combines the best attributes of aircraft and motor coaches. "Business people want to go from downtown to downtown," says Craig. "They rarely take the bus and they don't like driving because they arrive too tired. But they are looking for an alternative to flying."
When Craig turned to Community Futures Wild Rose for help getting his idea off the ground, they provided start-up capital and funds to help develop the luxury vehicle prototype. Craig is quick to point out that the prompt and supportive service he received from Community Futures has been essential to establishing his new business. And with mounting interest from lawyers, politicians, medical professionals and others who travel the Queen Elizabeth II highway on a regular basis, this type of transportation service has a lot of potential. Eight seats can be booked singly, or divided into groups of four. Passengers can hold meetings, teleconference with the use of wireless Internet, watch satellite TV, work and enjoy a complimentary beverage service.
With current support growing and future fleet growth planned, Craig says with a smile, "We're very excited about it. It's quite revolutionary."
Visit Executive Express at executiveexpresscanada.ca
