NPA Prepares for Annual Convention in Boston

September, 2010

As public awareness of environmental issues continues to grow, more and more parking designers and planners understand the importance of incorporating “green” design elements into projects. Surface lots and parking structures are developing into more than just storage areas for vehicles; they are becoming attractive, sustainable community assets, thanks to innovative stormwater management practices, increased vegetation and innovative technologies.
This is just one important issue that will be explored at the 59th annual National Parking Association (NPA) Convention and Exposition. The event, scheduled for Oct. 11-14, will be held at the Seaport Hotel and Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.
“Parking is a vital resource that impacts our lives in numerous ways,” said NPA Chairman Herb Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO of Impark. “The Parking Show of Shows’ provides parking and transportation professionals the resources they need to meet their parking needs, and offers a look at the latest trends and parking issues.”
One of the convention’s centerpieces is the CEO Forum, slated for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13. It will feature Anderson, along with James Marcum, President and CEO of Nashville-based Central Parking System, and Mark Muglich, President of the Cleveland-based Ampco System Parking.
The convention and exposition will also feature more than two dozen presentations focusing on parking issues impacting municipalities, institutions and businesses, including:
• The state of the parking industry;
• How parking taxes impact municipal parking plans and local business development;
• How the parking industry is leading the “green” movement;
• Leveraging technology to provide stellar customer service;
• And extracting the economic value of parking assets.
The event also will feature more than 100 exhibitors showcasing the industry’s latest products and services, as well as innovative parking technologies.
The NPA is an international network of parking industry leaders and professionals. Its mission is to serve as a resource to the parking industry and its members by offering quality education, networking opportunities, advocacy, products and services. For more information, visit www.npapark.org.
NPA reducing registration fees
Because many municipal, state and private organizations are still operating with reduced budgets, the NPA has reduced convention registration fees this year. Admission for Wednesday, Oct. 13, has been cut from $275 to $75 and for Thursday, Oct. 14, to $50. These rates include entrance to the exhibit hall, breakfast/brunch and business sessions.
“By reducing the cost to attend the NPA conference, we hope to make it more accessible for professionals from both the public and private sectors,” Anderson said. For more information, go to www.npapark.org.
Rizzo delivering keynote presentation
The keynote presentation at this year’s convention will be delivered by motivational speaker Steve Rizzo. Known as “The “Attitude Adjuster,” he will offer methods for improving organizational opportunities, and provide insights into the skills that organizations and individuals need to get to a better place at work and in life.
The former comedian takes motivation and confidence building to a whole new level with his brand of “humor-vational” programs. Rizzo is the author of “Becoming a Humor Being: The Power to Choose the Better Way,” and producer of a PBS special bearing the same name.
His presentation is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12.
Educational sessions, roundtable discussions
In addition to the CEO Forum and Rizzo’s and keynote address, the NPA convention and exposition will feature educational sessions and free-wheeling roundtable discussions, as well as opportunities to network with other experienced parking professionals, leading parking industry vendors, and service providers exhibiting at the show.
There also will be a variety of social events, including the Helen and Jerry Stocks Memorial Golf Outing, which will benefit the Parking Industry Institute Scholarship Fund. The event will take place Oct. 11 at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, Mass.
For more information about the NPA’s 2010 convention and exposition, contact Jennifer Harrison at jharrison@npapark.org or (202) 296-4336.