By Jay Landers
What a week! The recently concluded Parking Industry Expo (PIE) in Schaumburg, Illinois, was truly one to remember. This year marked the 25th anniversary of this industry staple — a milestone that speaks volumes about the event’s importance to parking professionals across North America and beyond. For those of us at Parking Today Media, PIE25 carried special significance, as this was the first year many of us were directly involved in planning and executing the event. To say it was a learning experience would be an understatement — but what an exciting and rewarding one it turned out to be.
More than anything, it was a pleasure to connect — in person — with so many of the people I’ve corresponded with, interviewed, or collaborated with during the past year. There’s nothing quite like a handshake, a shared laugh, or a real-time conversation to build stronger relationships. Equally exciting was the chance to meet plenty of new faces: people with fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and a clear passion for this evolving industry.
Of course, no event like PIE comes together without a ton of hard work from a dedicated team — both behind the scenes and on the show floor. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to making this year’s show a success. And while we’re still catching our breath from Schaumburg, we’re already looking ahead to PIE26 in Dallas, Texas. I can’t wait to see you there!
JAY LANDERS is the editor-in-chief of Parking Today. He can be reached at jay@parkingtoday.com.
