Training/Education

Open to members from cities and municipalities. Register for the free municipal members-only roundtable, ask for advice about your own situations, and connect with others facing similar challenges.

Open to members from cities and municipalities. Register for the free municipal members-only roundtable, ask for advice about your own situations, and connect with others facing similar challenges.

Open to members from cities and municipalities. Our topic for the roundtable will focus on parking governance models, responsibilities, and roles, and explore how different models impact operations, especially with regard to navigating curb management as mobility modes and demands at the curb are transforming our cities.

Register for IPMI's members-only roundtable dedicated to finding the balance and prioritizing competing stakeholder groups in dynamic, high-demand environments.  Our discussion will zero in on residential parking needs and programs, especially where they are in fierce competition with other patron segments in both municipal and academic settings.  

Curiosity isn’t just a personal trait; it’s a professional advantage. In parking enforcement, customer service, and operations, curiosity fuels better decisions, stronger customer relationships, and greater job satisfaction. When frontline professionals approach challenges with a mindset of discovery, they open the door to innovation, efficiency, and professional growth.

Every team experiences highs and lows, but great teams know how to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Explore how to cultivate a workplace culture that drives success through collaboration, trust, and shared purpose.

Every professional journey faces roadblocks, some external, others internal. Fear of failure, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome can quietly limit growth, while competing priorities or lack of visibility can stall progress. The key to advancing your career lies in recognizing these challenges and developing the strategies to overcome them.

Go behind the scenes and learn how operations utilize innovation, collaboration, and technology to transform enforcement and collections for a new era of urban mobility. Learn how to modernize operations by integrating smart enforcement tools, developing custom verification software, and building strong partnerships to boost compliance, customer satisfaction, and efficiency. Explore how enforcement is evolving beyond ticketing to become a data-driven, service-oriented function built on transparency and accountability.

Excellent customer service and effective enforcement don’t have to be at odds. Frontline teams can move beyond rigid rule-following to become empowered problem-solvers, enhancing the customer experience while maintaining accountability and policy integrity.

I always knew there was an undercurrent of politics when it came to parking, but until I had to manage those politics I was pretty far removed from it. I’m still learning how to navigate this in my newer role and I’ve had to put my own agenda and thoughts on parking aside. It seems to be a constant battle to get everyone on the same page regarding how parking is run efficiently and for the good of everyone. Why is parking such an afterthought when that is the very first interaction or introduction to a space, place or event? Why do people believe that they shouldn’t have to pay for parking when there is a cost to have parking available, safe and accessible? Why do some feel that their event is more important than the student trying to get to class on time when we exist as an institution to educate students? Education is key when it has come to parking, but with a new class of students every year and turnover in leadership among our staff and student representatives this has proved to be a challenge to reach everyone and maintain consistency. I once was in a training, and someone mentioned that we, as parking professionals, are the biggest advocates for others. I’ve never found this to be more true since I stepped into my current role. Whether it’s the person that doesn’t qualify for accessibility accommodations according to their doctor but is not capable of using stairs or maneuvering inclines or bumping students to the perimeter of campus to accommodate construction. I will continue to advocate, share my knowledge about parking and hope that I am heard, but man some days are harder than others when it comes to navigating the politics of parking. Meredith Garrett, CAPP, is the Assistant Director of Public Safety, Parking & Transit Services for Kent State University. Meredith can be reached at mgarre12@kent.edu.

Vinnie Campagna, PTMP, is the Manager of Parking & Ground Transportation for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Find out why he earned his PTMP and how it’s impacted his career.

Brandon Patocka, PTMP, is Engineering Technician II for the City of Omaha Parking & Mobility Division. Find out why he earned his PTMP and how it’s impacted his career.