Parking Facilities

Organized by the European Parking Association (EPA) from its new base in Brussels, the 21st European Parking Conference & Exhibition is the next edition of the sector’s flagship biennial event.

We are all aware of the famous Benjamin Franklin quote “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”, yet again and again we are reminded how true that is.  As Parking Professionals, we are often tasked with creating plans and having a plan for an abundance of programs like; Standard Operating Plans, Emergency Action Plans, ADA Plans, Customer Service Plans, Revenue Control Plans, the list goes on and on.  However, Facility Maintenance and Capital Improvement plans seem to take a back seat to the more “parking operational plan” types when in reality, Maintenance and Capital Improvement plans need to be on the top of every parking manager’s priority list.  Failing to prioritize these areas can result in costly repairs and disruptions to parking operations, which ultimately could lead to lost revenue for the owner. As we know, parking often forms the first and last impression a guest has of a building or business, influencing their overall perception.  Yet, many owners fail to implement proper facility maintenance or capital improvement plans for aging parking facilities. Post-tension repairs, concrete repairs, and membrane repairs are rarely considered "exciting" projects that owners are eager to showcase. These projects are typically dusty, noisy, time-consuming, disruptive to parking operations, and VERY EXPENSIVE, so they often get pushed aside in favor of more visually appealing upgrades to the main building or guest entryway. As parking professionals responsible for parking operations, it’s crucial that we communicate with ownership/stakeholders and advocate for a seat at the table to contribute to the discussion on a preliminary capital improvement plan. While most of us may not be engineers by trade, it’s important to familiarize ourselves with the types of parking structures we manage and recognize signs of deterioration. Keep in mind, it will be far more costly to completely rebuild a deteriorating parking facility than to allocate funds annually for ongoing repairs and maintenance. Vincent Campagna, CAPP, is a Manager, Parking & Ground Transportation for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Vincent can be reached at vcampagna@mitchellairport.com.

Vancouver, BC — Parking Base, the leading provider of customized cloud-based parking management solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with EasyPark. This collaboration brings Parking Base’s advanced Destination Manager platform to EasyPark-managed facilities across Vancouver, making parking more convenient and accessible for residents and visitors. As part of the partnership, Parking Base’s Destination Manager platform will be white labeled with EasyPark branding, delivering a seamless experience tailored specifically EasyPark customers. The integration will allow drivers to effortlessly make parking reservations at EasyPark facilities directly through the EasyPark website or Google Maps, eliminating the hassle of searching for parking and ensuring a stress-free journey. “We’re thrilled to partner with EasyPark to elevate the parking experience in Vancouver,” said Parking Base Senior Vice President Chris Perry. “By combining our state-of-the-art technology with EasyPark’s commitment to exceptional service, we’re making parking more convenient and efficient throughout Vancouver.” By utilizing Parking Base’s Destination Manager platform, EasyPark can now easily manage rates and inventory as well as create custom reservation workflows tailored to the needs of their tenants, clients, landlords, customers, and employees. “Our mission has always been to simplify parking for our customers, and with Parking Base’s Destination Manager platform we are making parking in Vancouver more convenient than ever,” said Ravinder Bains, Director, Client Services at EasyPark. “At the same time, this is a powerful digital tool that will allow us to manage our parking facilities more efficiently. Our partnership with Parking Base represents a win/win for both EasyPark and our customers.” The integration with Google Maps is a key feature of the Destination Manager platform, offering unparalleled ease of access for drivers who can now plan their trips and reserve parking spaces in advance through a platform they already use daily. This alignment of technology and service reinforces both Parking Base’s and EasyPark’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. About Parking Base Parking Base is the leading company offering cloud-based parking management solutions to handle all aspects of parking operations. Its comprehensive suite of products includes Permit Manager, Valet Manager, Destination Manager, and Access Manager, and it delivers a seamless and customizable digital, cloud-based solution in a single platform. Parking Base’s tools are designed to optimize efficiencies for parking owners and operators, while enhancing the customer experience. For more information about Parking Base, please visit www.parkingbase.com. Parking Base-EasyPark Digital Parking Program Release About EasyPark  EasyPark is a leader in parking management services, dedicated to providing innovative solutions and excellent customer service across Vancouver. With a strong focus on sustainability and technology, EasyPark continues to evolve the parking experience to meet the needs of the community.

Yonkers, NY — Flowbird, the leader in curbside and off-street mobility solutions, is proud to announce its collaboration with Risetek Global, an industry leader in cutting-edge technology integration, to deploy its advanced parking access and revenue control (PARCS) technology at the Ridge Hill shopping center in Yonkers, New York. Located in Westchester County, just 18 miles from Manhattan, Ridge Hill is a modern town square that blends shopping, dining, entertainment, and outdoor spaces. Ridge Hill provides a vibrant community hub with over 60 shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. To enhance the customer experience and streamline parking operations, Flowbird has integrated 15 of its ‘Flowbird GO’ Off-Street devices, along with Risetek’s cutting-edge License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras across the center’s three parking facilities: Market Street Garage, Archer Garage, and North Otis Garage. Flowbird’s Off-Street devices have fully configurable touch-screen interfaces, dynamic user management capabilities, and LED signals to communicate real-time parking availability. These features are designed to improve the efficiency of parking operations, reduce costs, and deliver a more seamless experience for visitors. Combined with Risetek’s LPR cameras, which use artificial intelligence to capture and record license plate numbers, this solution enhances security, enforces parking regulations, and ensures parking spaces are used efficiently. “Utilizing both companies’ cutting-edge smart parking technology solutions makes perfect sense for clients who require a hybrid frictionless environment,” said Garrett Hofeld, Vice President of Risetek. By integrating Flowbird’s expertise in parking management with Risetek’s AI-powered LPR technology, the two companies are helping to create a more innovative, sustainable parking environment at Ridge Hill. This collaboration aims to optimize parking operations, improve security, and deliver a user-centric experience for shoppers and visitors alike. The enhanced PARCS solution is part of Flowbird’s ongoing commitment to providing innovative, cloud-based solutions that make urban environments more efficient, user-friendly, and connected.

An interview with Stephen Kowal of Nextivity

Frogparking is proud to announce the successful installation of a world-first, customized parking guidance system at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC). This pioneering system, designed specifically to meet the unique needs of the airport, is set to transform the parking experience for travelers. The Rochester Airport installation includes 1,323 parking spaces equipped with parking guidance technology and an integrated dynamic wayfinding signage package. This advanced system will assist the airport in efficiently guiding drivers to available spaces within its multi-level parking structures, which has been strategically divided into three sections. The implementation of this technology promises to deliver all the standard benefits of a guidance and wayfinding package, including improved utilization, reduced time to park, and decreased cruising within the structure. Responding to the airport's specific safety concerns, Frogparking engineered a unique form factor for its parking guidance system. To mitigate the risks posed by large bird populations nesting on flat surfaces - a significant hazard to aircraft - the system was redesigned to minimize potential nesting sites. Frogparking’s innovative solution positions the LiDAR sensor flush with the soffit and replaces the standard indicator with a sleek LED rope housed within a tube beneath the sensor assembly. This design not only ensures safety but also enhances the overall parking experience for travelers. “We are thrilled to have partnered with Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport to deliver this world-first parking guidance design,” said Shareena Sandbrook, CEO of Frogparking. “Our customized parking guidance system not only enhances the parking experience but also addresses critical safety concerns, demonstrating our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.” The installation at Rochester Airport marks another milestone in Frogparking's mission to revolutionize parking management through cutting-edge technology and tailored solutions. About Frogparking Frogparking is a leading provider of smart parking solutions, offering innovative technology designed to optimize parking management for cities, airports, universities, and businesses worldwide. With a focus on enhancing user experience and maximizing efficiency, Frogparking's systems are at the forefront of the parking industry.

As many of you all know the City of Charleston, South Carolina is a coastal city.  Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.  Hurricane season can provide many challenges for Charleston County.  Parking Operations is a division under the Facilities Department, all parking employees are required to assist in preparation and recovery after a storm.  In addition, we have employees that assist the Emergency Operations Center with the Citizen Information Line. We have three different operating levels at Charleston County- Opcon 1 – Normal Daily Operations Opcon 2 – Enhanced Awareness Opcon 3 – Full Alert At each Opcon Level, the Parking Division is required to take certain action.  This includes securing signage and trash cans, installing flood panels, parking gate removal, securing pay machines, sandbagging, system backups, drain cleaning, shutting down elevators etc.  In addition, as storms approach, City of Charleston and the County of Charleston offer free parking within the garages for residents and visitors during storms.  Parking is limited to cars only.  As everyone knows people don’t always follow the rules, we’ve had boats, grills, golf carts, trailers, everything but the kitchen sink.  Cars must be out of the garages on specific days and times, if not customers will pay the prevailing rate after the day and time has passed.  From a customer service aspect, we do take into consideration people that evacuated and cannot get back in time to remove their car as to whether to require payment.  This is conducted on a case-by-case basis. Paul Whetzel, CAPP is the Parking Operations Manager for the County of Charleston, SC. Paul can be reached at PWhetzel@charlestoncounty.org.

EV’s and EV charging stations have been a popular topic of conversation within the parking industry over the course of the last four to five years. That conversation intensified following COVID as Cities and States across the Country felt a migration of folks moving from west coast and northeastern regions where EV’s have shown to be more popular into cities that have been slower to make the switch. States such as Florida and Georgia which had an influx of folks move in post pandemic had to make the switch to help better serve the needs of folks with EV’s at residential buildings and retail parking areas. So how do we balance offering preferred parking spaces to EV owners while at the same time not pushing members of our community that have had access to preferred spaces for years to the side? Offering incentives to those that have decided to “go green” will certainly help a facility obtain a park smart certification but will also cause some pushback from long term members of the community. Newer multifamily parking facilities will push us to install charging stations while at the same time not offering this as a free service, charging the consumer per KW. That certainly helps the developers cover building cost but may also keep stake holders at bay knowing that the option is there but it does not mean we are catering to EV owners. Elvis Reyes, CAPP, is the General Manager for The Car Park. Elvis can be reached at ereyes@thecarpark.com.

This session will take a retrospective look at the evolution of parking technology by revisiting our past Technology Committee presentations, exploring how various parking technologies were developed, identifying the catalysts that facilitated their adoption, and the barriers that hindered others.

This session will examine tactics that can be implemented in parking, mobility, and transportation management to address the effects of the homeless crisis on parking operations.

Hartford, CT - Propark Mobility announced today that the company has acquired Drive Hospitality, a premier parking management company based in Los Angeles. “Drive Hospitality has earned a strong reputation for delivering customized parking solutions that elevate operations,” said David Schmid, CEO of Propark. “Together, Propark and Drive Hospitality are committed to advancing service standards, building authentic partnerships, and innovating for the future. We are excited to join forces to continue providing outstanding results for our clients and customers.” Since its founding, Drive Hospitality has been dedicated to creating customized solutions that reflect the unique needs of each property it serves. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including valet parking, concierge and bell services, parking management, and technology integration, all designed to enhance the guest experience. Drive Hospitality's emphasis on personalized service has positioned it as a trusted partner across diverse industries, from hospitality and commercial to residential and events. “Partnering with Propark offers an incredible opportunity for Drive Hospitality to continue pushing the boundaries of operational excellence for our clients,” said Carlos Alcalá, founder and CEO of Drive Hospitality. “Our focus has always been on tailored solutions and exceeding expectations, and with Propark’s support and shared values, we are confident that we will grow while enhancing the services we provide to our clients.” “This partnership with Propark enhances our ability to deliver the exceptional care that defines Drive Hospitality while leveraging Propark’s extensive network and expertise,” said Bechara Imad, Executive Managing Director and Partner of Drive Hospitality. “By combining our innovative approach to branding and hospitality service with Propark’s industry leadership, together, we’re creating a culture of quality and innovation that brings unparalleled value to the properties we serve, setting a powerful foundation for future growth.” This acquisition is the latest in Propark Mobility’s ongoing expansion in recent years, which includes the acquisition of several regional parking and mobility providers across the United States, including Monument Parking and Atlantic Parking in Washington, D.C.; Sovereign Services in Houston; Pilgrim Parking in Boston; Imperial Parking Industries, Inc., in Los Angeles; California Parking in San Francisco; and Southern Valet & Transportation in South Carolina. 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 140 cities across the United States. For more information, please visit www.propark.com. This free, comprehensive resource is designed to equip parking operators with the strategies, tools, and best practices needed to streamline event parking operations, boost revenue, and enhance the overall parking experience. The Event Parking Playbook is packed with actionable insights, step-by-step guides, and expert advice on everything from pre-event planning to post-event follow-ups. Whether you're managing parking for a concert, sports event, or festival, this playbook provides operators with the knowledge to optimize traffic flow, implement digitized access and payments, and deliver exceptional customer service. “We understand how critical parking is to the overall event experience,” said Chirag Jain, CEO at Get My Parking. “Our Event Parking Playbook was developed to help parking operators deliver seamless, stress-free experiences for attendees while maximizing revenue and operational efficiency.” Key highlights of the playbook include: Expert Planning Guides: Step-by-step instructions for managing parking logistics before, during, and after the event. Industry Insights: Deep-dive interviews with experts, from industry veterans like Parkwell to the mastermind behind our home-grown event parking platform. Digitization Strategies: Tips on implementing smart parking solutions, including digital passes and app-based payments. Revenue Optimization: Proven techniques to maximize revenue through dynamic pricing, enhanced customer communication, and streamlined operations. Customer Experience: Best practices for improving the parking experience for attendees, ensuring a smooth entry and exit. The Event Parking Playbook caters to parking operators of all sizes, from those new to the industry to seasoned professionals. Download the Event Parking Playbook today. About Get My Parking Founded in 2015, Get My Parking is an award-winning startup that has grown to a team of 100+ members across five continents. GMP provides essential technology to parking operators – ticketless AI-PARCS, white-label parking apps, an IoT gate kit to retrofit old parking gates for modern capabilities, and an interoperable cloud platform that enables centralized and digital operations across a network of parking facilities. GMP spearheads new trends like AI-powered license plate matching, EV charging,  and shared mobility hubs on parking-related real estate with Plug-N-Play API integrations. GMP’s solutions have been deployed across 3,500 locations worldwide, enabling millions of parkers every month. Would you like to be a part of our next playbook? Share your insights with the industry! Reach out to us at teammarketing@getmyparking.com to be a part of our next parking playbook.

The service industry is made up of multiple areas that all should have a common goal in common. Providing the best service possible to consumers that will leave them with a memorable experience and will leave them thinking how and when they can return to relive that experience. When we think of hospitality the first thought that comes to mind is hotels, entertainment venues and restaurants. All these also share one major factor that affects almost every single City in the world. Parking. We as parking professionals serve as the first and last experience a consumer has when they visit these types of locations. Providing a hospitable and welcoming experience is key to ensuring a guest experience gets off on the right foot. I was once asked if an individual with a hospitality degree and years of experience in the hotel industry can successfully transition into the parking industry? My answer to that question was an emphatic yes. It’s experiences that tailors an individual to offer a warm welcome with the ability to lead with yes. All the attributes that every parking professional should have in my opinion. Forbes training standards are an excellent resource for our industry leaders to promote with front line staff and operations teams on this topic. Elvis Reyes, CAPP, is the General Manager for The Car Park. Elvis can be reached at ereyes@thecarpark.com. With electric vehicles come batteries - lots and lots of batteries. Research and development have been able to extend the life of these batteries, but ultimately these storage devices will continue to have a limited useful life for the foreseeable future. How many batteries are we talking about? An article in Pocket predicts "12M tons of lithium-ion batteries are expected to retire between now and 2030." What can be done with this tsunami of batteries that are past their initial useful life? The most predictable answer is recycling. However, there is another school of thought proposing that a second life as storage cells may actually be the better answer for society and for the environment. It would be interesting to see some of these batteries resurrected to store solar energy in meters or charging stations at the curb, in lots, or in parking decks. From an initial life in mobility to a second life in parking, it is an innovative idea worth considering. Leslie L. Stone, CAPP is the Director of Customer Success for WeDriveU. Leslie can be reached at leslie.stone@wedriveu.com.