By Megan Leinart, PTMP, LEED AP BD+C

As a designated parking nerd, one of my favorite jobs is supporting municipalities, universities, private operators, and more in their pursuit of the Accredited Parking Organization (APO) distinction. Since the accreditation’s inception, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as a Site Reviewer for more than 20 organizations pursuing initial accreditation, accreditation with distinction, and now re-accreditation.

Throughout this time, I’ve been able to walk alongside organizations as they work toward this meaningful achievement. Through these experiences, I’ve learned just how nuanced the APO process can be, and how different the journey looks depending on the organization. From municipalities to universities, to private operators, and beyond, each organization’s path toward accreditation is unique. While the standards remain consistent, understanding these differences is essential to effectively guiding organizations toward success.

What is APO?

The Accredited Parking Organization program recognizes parking, transportation, and mobility organizations that have achieved a comprehensive standard of excellence. It focuses on best practices in responsible parking management and operations, access management, customer service, professional development, security, sustainability, and more. The APO with Distinction designation is reserved for organizations that exceed the standard of excellence.

The Value

APO accreditation goes well beyond the designation itself. There are many reasons organizations pursue, and I’ve seen the impact firsthand.

  • Frontline pride and recognition. I’ve witnessed the excitement and pride of frontline staff when I arrived to assess their facilities. Their day-to-day work doesn’t always come with opportunities for recognition, and they are often eager to showcase the care and effort they put into providing safe, clean, and comfortable parking experiences for the communities, campuses, and facilities they serve.
  • A roadmap for improvement. APO is not a “gotcha” exercise. It’s a roadmap that helps organizations highlight their successes while also identifying opportunities for improvement and operational growth.
  • Procurement and credibility. For operators, APO accreditation is increasingly becoming a differentiator. Some organizations now require APO status as part of their procurement requirements to ensure they partner with operators that meet the highest standards of operational quality.
  • Marketing and brand value. From a marketing perspective, achieving APO accreditation sends a clear message to staff, boards, customers, and stakeholders alike that your organization is committed to excellence, both behind the scenes and on the front lines.
  • Adherence to industry best practices. To earn APO accreditation, organizations must demonstrate a commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement by implementing industry best practices across a wide range of criteria.

If you’re considering pursuing APO accreditation, now is a great time to get started. IPMI is introducing a Pilot Program for the newest version of the APO Matrix, and several opportunities are available to engage through working group sessions and Q&As. These forums allow you to connect with IPMI staff, experienced APO site reviewers, and current and past APO candidates who can help guide you through the process.

What are your next steps?

If you have specific questions or would like to discuss the process, please feel free to reach out to the APO team at IPMI or to me. We’re always happy to help.

Megan Leinart, PTMP, LEED AP BD+C is President of Leinart Consulting. Megan can be reached at megan@leinartconsulting.com.