The parking industry is changing, and the National Parking Association (NPA) is taking the lead at its 2011 Convention & Expo with four days of trends, thought leadership, and performance best practices at its upcoming convention, “Innovation: Linking Networks and Knowledge,” set for Oct. 3-6 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, It features a sold out Expo Hall with more than 100 exhibitors and more than 30 general sessions, business sessions, roundtable discussions and issue meetings featuring top industry leaders.
“When it comes to industry professionalism and today’s economy, it’s about combining parking industry best practices and a focus on bottom line performance,” says NPA President Christine Banning, CAE. “This year NPA’s Convention & Expo brings top parking executives such as Alan Lazowski, LAZ Parking; Allan Copping, Impark; Andrew Blair, Colonial Parking (DC), Jerry South, Towne Park, and Michael Kagan, Constellation Energy Group.”
Keynotes Hit Big Picture Topics for Bottom Line Impact
The Oct. 4 keynote speaker is Paul Sullivan, author of the New York Times “Wealth Matters” column and bestselling author of “Clutch.” Every organization wants top performers who can perform in the clutch, and Sullivan brings practical insights on performance excellence. “Clutch” was rated one of the best business books of 2010 by strategy+business, and Sullivan will look at how parking professionals can learn how to perform at their best, no matter what.
“Our goal is to bring best in class business practices and parking expertise to our members and to the parking industry,” says Banning. With that said, NPA is bringing big national speakers with big picture perspectives. On Oct. 4, the keynote economic forecast is presented by Dylan Taylor, CEO, U.S.A, of Colliers International, who will share a 2012 industry forecast and market highlights for attendees. A sustainability panel focuses on public and private sector adoption and revenue generation related to parking sustainability. Michael Kagan, President of Retail Power at Constellation Energy Group, brings an energy markets perspective to parking pros.
NPA’s targeted education program features tracks in Peak Performance, Sustainability, Technology and a bonus Certified Parking Professional prep/certification track.
NPA Peer Networks and roundtable discussions offer private and public sector professionals access to peer experts and best practices worldwide. Hot issues include: managing big city public transportation systems and valet parking innovations/practices, as well as fair tax policy discussions.
Roundtables topics cover the full breadth of industry segment interests in: government and non-profit, off-airport, valet and hospitals and medical centers, cities and municipalities, colleges and universities, as well as hotels and casinos. Hot topic tables include: claims management/revenue control and Certified Parking Professionals best practices/exam prep.
Membership Growth Tops 10% and Expo Outgrows Show Space
This year’s record breaking Expo sold out 60 days ahead of schedule – with more than 15 companies wait listed for 2012. For the first time, NPA will offer exhibitors 2012 booth reservations onsite.
NPA membership has jumped 10 percent this year. And the organization is stepping up the pace of innovation and services to all segments of parking professionals with new offerings each month, including:
New publications by NPA’s well respected Parking Consultants Council: Guide to Selecting a Parking Operator and new editions of Guidelines for Parking Geometrics and Security Design for a Parking Facility.
Research & Analysis: NPA released its first Parking in Perspective: The Size and Scope of Parking in America, a thorough analysis of the U.S. market size for parking correlated to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census data.
Quarterly Peer Networks for parking pros with specific interest areas from Off-Airport, Valet, Government and Non-Profit, to candidates for the Certified Parking Professional program. Just added: Big City Public Peer Network.
Policy Agenda and Toolkits: NPA Fair Tax Policy Toolkits.
NPA Issue Alerts Program on regulatory, tax and capital markets issues.
NPA has expanded its leadership opportunities through peer networks, as well as the advocacy, sustainability and research committees that meet at convention to plan the year ahead.
“NPA is setting a new course with an Association focused on the future, strategic opportunity, best practices and performance results,” said Banning. “NPA is a vibrant and growing trade association representing the owners, executives and parking industry decision makers across the private and public sectors. Our convention will reflect that research, trends and best practices in parking, technology and sustainability that prepare parking professionals for success now and in the future.”
More information on the Convention & Expo can be found at www.NPAconvention.org/2011.
‘Denise Grable is VP of Communications at the NPA. She can be reached at DeniseGrable@npapark.org.
