Join the IPMI PDC Committee as we challenge the assumptions and myths shaping parking programs around the world.

Find out how to submit your conference presentation for #IPMI2027.

Find out how to submit your virtual presentation and articles for 2027.

When I tell people I run operations for a parking authority, I get that look, the polite smile, the raised brow, and the unspoken, “Wait… really? Parking?” Fair question. For over 20 years, I was deep in healthcare construction, overseeing $85 million expansions, building out senior living campuses (complete with their own utility plants), and managing environments where failure was never an option. So how did I end up managing curbs, license plate readers, and debates about whether people should back into spaces? Simple: I said yes. Yes to a new challenge. Yes to an industry most people overlook. And yes to discovering that parking isn’t just about asphalt and meters, it’s about movement. It’s about infrastructure, logistics, and how cities actually breathe. At my first IPMI convention in Louisville, somewhere between a smart mobility panel and a tasting table (it was Kentucky, after all), I realized: this isn’t a detour. It’s a new lane entirely, one that blends engineering with community trust, operations with real human behavior. I even found myself explaining why you can’t throw a rooftop party on a parking deck (people move around more than 4,000-pound vehicles). That’s parking: where physics meets people, and strategy gets tested by reality. So if you’ve ever wondered whether your skills can leap industries, here’s your sign. Sometimes, the best opportunities don’t shine. Sometimes, they just look like a parking spot. Mark Toro, PTMP, is the Deputy Director of Allentown Parking Authority. Mark can be reached at mtoro@allentownparking.com.

Hartford, CT – Propark Mobility announced that the company has acquired Pittsburgh Valet, a premier valet service provider serving Western Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. “Pittsburgh Valet has earned a respected reputation in Western Pennsylvania by focusing on people and delivering a consistently strong guest experience,” said David Schmid, Chief Executive Officer of Propark Mobility. “Their commitment to professionalism and service aligns closely with our own values, and we’re excited to welcome their team to Propark and support their continued success across the region.” With more than 20 years of experience, Pittsburgh Valet provides valet service for a wide range of clients, including full-service hotels, medical centers, restaurants, residential and corporate facilities, sporting venues, and private events. The company is known for a polished, guest-friendly approach and tailors its parking service to the needs of each venue. “Pittsburgh Valet has always been about taking pride in our people and the experience we deliver,” said Rich Nerone, Owner of Pittsburgh Valet. “Partnering with Propark allows us to build on the service our clients and guests already count on. With added technology and systems support, we can bring even more consistency and convenience while staying true to our local roots.” This acquisition continues Propark Mobility’s growth in key U.S. markets and strengthens the company’s ability to support hospitality-driven service across a broader geographic footprint, including added technology and operational resources for clients in Western Pennsylvania. To learn more about Propark’s acquisition process, visit www.propark.com/acquisitions. About Propark Mobility Propark Mobility is a national, innovation-driven parking management company that provides full-service parking and mobility services for over 1,000 hospitality, healthcare, commercial, and off-airport locations in over 250 cities across the United States. For more information, please visit www.propark.com.