SAN FRANCISCO -- iCARS, the new web and mobile app technology platform that connects travelers and corporate clients to licensed, thoroughly-screened executive car service operators and chauffeurs, is pleased to announce its plans for major national growth in 2016. The announcement coincides with the commencement of the 2016 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention held July 16-20 in Denver, where iCARS is an exhibitor.

iCARS officially launched in the San Francisco Bay Area in early 2016 and has since launched in Austin, Dallas and Houston this summer. In the coming months, this growth will be followed by launches in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The expansion of the iCARS network represents a key milestone for the corporate travel sector, which is growing exponentially. According to GBTA's BTI™ Outlook – Annual Global Report & Forecast, global business travel spend topped $1.2 trillion USD in 2015, growing five percent over 2014, and is forecast to reach 1.3 trillion in 2016. iCARS is poised to meet this growing demand as reputable business travel professionals acknowledge the importance of using only the most trusted drivers and vehicles for all ground transportation needs.

"Travel professionals have long demanded safe and reliable transportation options and we're thrilled with iCARS' forthcoming national expansion," said Gary Bauer, founder and CEO of iCARS. "iCARS provides a peace of mind for both executives and corporate travel professionals who book transportation for their employees. We are confident in the potential for growth in each respective market."

In addition to near demand and future booking capabilities, iCARS enables third-party providers such as concierges, travel management companies and corporate travel administrators to book rides on behalf of any number of travelers, and entirely manage ground transportation itineraries as part of their duty of care obligations, making it ideal for usage within the business travel and hospitality industry.

The iCARS fleet is made up of the safest, most reliable luxury vehicles on the road, including Sedan Class, SUV Class and Sprinter Class vehicles. While the iCARS network encompasses each regional market's leading transportation providers, iCARS only works with affiliates who operate insured vehicles driven by professional chauffeurs who meet all state and federal transportation regulations. iCARS can also accommodate "house car" services for the hotel partner's discretionary use.

iCARS only partners with transportation companies that carry at least $1 million in commercial liability insurance, regularly maintain their vehicles, conduct random drug testing and background checks on their employees, provide driver training courses, fingerprinted employees, and pay employee benefits as required by their respective states.

iCARS has partnered with San Francisco Bay Area hotels, including Fairmont San Francisco, Hotel Nikko, Handlery Union Square Hotel, Inn at the Presidio and the W San Francisco.

iCARS technology provides:

• Third-party booking for administrators and concierges
• Group bookings and passenger management
• Private network for an operator's existing clients
• Route and vehicle optimization
• Automated dispatch
• Near demand and future reservations

iCARS is available for download in Apple's App Store and in Google Play. To learn more about iCARS, please visit http://www.icars.cc/.

About iCARS
Founded by 27-year transportation industry veteran Gary Bauer, iCARS is a web and mobile application platform that enables turn-key "executive-level" black car sedan service bookings. Offering both on-demand and future booking capabilities with licensed operators that meet, or exceed, all of the requirements of the limousine industry, including commercial insurance limits, chauffeur drug and background screening, and vehicle maintenance and safety requirements. iCARS provides reliable and safe point-to-point transport in the form of high-end, professional, on-demand luxury car service, with no surge pricing.

Additionally, iCARS enables concierges, travel agents and corporate administrators to book rides on behalf of any number of travelers, and entirely manage ground transportation itineraries as part of their duty of care obligations, with the ability to build and participate in a referral fee network. Clients may also create their own private service networks on the iCARS Platform that will direct services to their preferred ground transportation operators.

Media contacts: Lauren Jennings, Lani Free, Erin Wickman and Christine Lin at Glodow Nead Communications; icarspr@glodownead.com or 415-394-6500.