The National Parking Association (NPA) held its 2016 Winter Leadership Forum, Jan. 28-Feb. 3 in Hawaii. The parking industry executive session featured senior-level discussions on market forces, legal strategies, technology trends and developing a strong corporate culture and client loyalty. 

This year’s NPA Forum also addressed how changing customer

needs, technology advances and the political climate might affect the future for businesses. 

In addition, the organization announced a multi-year program of “micro-credentials” for developing critical skills in the parking industry. This credentialing program is for parking professionals to advance or refresh skills and competencies in key areas of parking management and operations.

“The 2016 Winter Leadership Forum brought together the top leaders and experts for relevant discussions on how market dynamics, transformational investments and today’s economic landscape affect the industry, so that parking professionals can [better] plan around growth, risk and solid net results,” said NPA President Christine Banning, CAE.

Presentations included the following:

• Legal Forum: “Building a Strong Corporate Defense”: Mike Stevens, Partner, Arent Fox, Washington, DC.

• “Strategic Industry Forecast”: Rick West, Executive VP, West FSI.

• “Tech Briefing”: Kurt Buecheler, SVP Business Development, Streetline. 

• CEO Leadership Forum: “Influence, Access & A Stronger Industry: Mark Muglich, President, ABM Parking Services, and Brett Harwood, Founder, Park Equity.

• “Culture, Client Loyalty & the Executive Team”: Chuck Heskett, CEO and President, Towne Park.

• “The Politics of Parking”: Amir Sedadi, VP of Intelligent Transportation Systems, IPS Group.

On Jan. 28, the NPA launched its first certificate program focusing on human resources management. In the online certificate program, participants will learn how to effectively hire, orient, train and motivate employees through three learning modules: Hire Smart, Build Your Bench and Train to Culture. 

Parking professionals served as advisors in developing the training with a focus on the parking and transportation industry. Courses are available online in Training/Career at WeAreParking.org.

The NPA released, online, its second certificate program, on emergency preparedness and disaster planning, in February. In addition, the association will offer emergency preparedness certificate training in three hands-on, in-person courses at the 2016 NPA Convention & Expo, Sept. 19-22, in Atlanta. 

Convention-goers who participate in these in-person seminars will be eligible to  earn the NPA’s emergency preparedness and disaster planning certificate.

This spring, the NPA will introduce a customized certificate program on safety and security to foster parking safety knowledge and practices for employees, parkers and communities. This certificate will cover policy, procedure and management, facility safety standards, parking risk management and incident handling. 

“The NPA is pleased to bring 24/7 training on some of the most important areas of parking performance,” said NPA President Christine Banning, CAE. “The industry’s ability to attract talent, serve parkers and be good community stewards are of paramount importance to the future of parking. 

“Each certificate program will help parking organizations take a proactive and responsible stance as leaders, asset managers and community citizens,” she said.

[Source: National Parking Association]