NPA Convention Tops 800 Attendees
November, 2011
Observation by JVH with help from Christine Bannin
NPA a year later. One year ago Jed Hatfield, CPP became chairman of the board and NPA brought on Christine Banning, MA, CAE as its president...what a change a year makes. NPA’s convention gets attention, big attendance and membership shoots up 12%. What a difference a year makes, I just keep hearing good things about NPA programs, networks and the buzz about NPA as the place for parking’s movers and shakers.
One year ago, NPA was a quiet association. No more. NPA is on a growth trajectory attracting members with its new programs, speakers and training. The buzz from members about NPA research and advocacy clearly hits the mark. NPA snagged the CEO of Colliers USA Dylan Taylor for a parking economic forecast. The price of the show was worth Dylan’s insights alone! Yes, I talked with him personally at NPA Chairman Jed Hatfield’s reception and Dylan Taylor is one smart guy.
Jed Hatfield is respected by all. As NPA’s Board Chair, Jed has done the seemingly impossible to meet the needs of both NPA’s private and public sector members. When Jed talks, the industry listens. He speaks softly and thoughtfully setting a course for NPA’s place as an industry leader.
NPA’s convention gets rave reviews from exhibitors. Even with 20% more exhibitors, suppliers weren’t lost in the crowd. And, the buzz was that booth traffic was filled with decision makers, qualified buyers and conversations that resulted in deals. The show opening was wave after wave of attendees heading for the booths.
The NPA show is the expo where deals are done. Exhibitors were seen and heard in deep contract negotiations, in conversations with executives/purchasers and with city managers looking for both managed parking services and show floor products. NPA rocked the house with its powerhouse network that delivered decision makers to a busy show floor. At the end of the day, exhibitors were leaving the NPA show with contracts in hand. The silence when I walked by certain conversations, showed that real business was being done and the dealmakers didn’t want to see the John Van Horn byline reporting the details of the deal.
NPA did a good thing this year announcing new product intros at the show. And, suppliers stepped up and brought the NPA expo their top products for 2012 giving the industry a jump start on the new year. Streetline’s CEO Zia Usuf was proud to announce a partnership with IBM this week. Exclusively at the NPA show Streetline introduced a big new product. ACS, IBM and Siemens are resellers of Streetline’s products. And, Streetline, a big industry player picked the NPA show for its launch. Kudos to all.
NPA Honors Industry Leaders
From the address by NPA President Christine Banning:
“Each year, NPA honors the parking industry leaders who contribute to excellence in the industry, help advance the profession and support the career growth and success of their peers in parking. 2011 Award winners are Gary Cudney, Bob Baer, Kathy Phillips, and Colleen Niece.
The Parking Consultants Council is comprised of the architects, engineers and consultants who advise the parking industry. For the past two years, Gary Cudney, president of Carl Walker, Inc.—has led the council and the outstanding books and guides developed for NPA. Gary is completing his term at this convention. We honor Gary Cudney for his dedication and service…as Outgoing PCC Chair.
Bob Baer is the director of parking and transportation at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Bob is an expert in parking operations and Chairs…the national GINP Committee for Government, Institutional and Nonprofit members of NPA. This year, we honor Bob as NPA’s Chair of the Year…for his dedication, commitment to connecting parking peers and efforts to enhance benefits and value for all public and institutional members.
NPA’s members are the leaders, volunteers and supporters that help every member… make connections, get the best parking education and find the resources that help them succeed. There is no one more dedicated to each of you and parking experience…than Kathy Phillips, CPP. For more than a decade, Kathy has been an advocate for standards of excellence in parking and the CPP program. Kathy just accepted a national appointment as the Chair of NPA’s Certification Advisory Board.
This year’s national committee chair is Colleen Niece, CPP. Colleen is a senior vice president and the chief administrative officer of Impark. Her belief in parking specific training and broad business knowledge are why you see a convention that brings you learning tracks, expert panelist and national-caliber speakers.”
Three Named to NPA Board
The National Parking Association announced the election of three parking industry leaders to its board of directors. Joining the board are:
David Damus, chief executive officer and chairman, System Property Development Company, Inc., Pasadena, Calif. Damus has 19 years of industry experience and oversees a national parking real estate portfolio and operations for The Broadway Spring Center parking operations in downtown Los Angeles. He is a former CEO of The L&R Group of companies, which included parking operations in 33 cities.
Alan Kahn, founding principal, Alan Kahn Parking Advisors LLC, North Barrington, Ill. Kahn has more than 28 years of experience in the parking industry and was most recently a senior vice president with Central Parking System.
Peter Young, president, Digital Printing Systems, Inc., Azusa, Calif. Young has been with Digital Printing Systems for nine years and is an active NPA member, serving on the Convention Program Committee and Allied Board of Managers. He is also a member of several regional parking associations.
