Is social media puzzling you?

Social media allows us to put information at the fingertips of people worldwide. Whether you are an avid Facebook user or strictly Twitter, parking peeps have some type of parking information come across our feed at some point or another. While my facebook is a shrine to my kids, I can assure you that I am guilty of sharing any parking information hot off the press via social media. #sharetheparkinglove

Join us as at TPTA’s June Roundtable in Waco to learn the do’s and don’ts of effective social media tactics and how it can also increase engagement with your community. TPTA welcomes Kathleen Laney, President and Founder of Laney Solutions - she will discuss how social media can drive more business for your organization. Bob Browand, Director of Parking and Transportation Services at the University of Houston, will also be joining us and sharing UH’s success in engaging the student community using social media and Youtube.

Don’t miss out! Register today!

IPI Awards winners Part II

More good news from our members! Walker Parking won the 2016 International Parking Institute (IPI) Award of Excellence for the Capital Crescent Garage in Bethesda, MD. The 1,248 space garage won in the Awards of Excellence Category II: Best Design of a Parking Facility with 800 or More Spaces at the 2017 Conference & Expo in New Orleans, LA on May 24, 2017.

Congratulations to Walker Parking!

And the IPI Annual Awards winners are....

Once again, TPTA members have made us proud! The International Parking Institute (IPI) held it's Annual Awards ceremony at the 2017 Conference & Expo in New Orleans on May 24, 2017.

First up - Becky Cass of Winpark, took home IPI Supervisor of the Year! Since joining Winpark in 2014, Becky has demonstrated skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and resourcefulness. Her management abilities have guided multiple projects, including five operations that collectively generate millions of dollars in annual revenue. Congratulations Becky!

Congratulations also go out to Debbie Hoffman, CAPP (Transportation Services, Texas A&M University) and Carlton Thomas, CAPP (City of Austin Aviation Department) for their hard-earned CAPP certification! Debbie and Carlton were two of 31 graduates who completed the CAPP curriculum which covers such topics as parking design; rehabilitation and maintenance; finance, revenue control, and auditing; on- and off-street parking enforcement and adjudication; leadership and management; and media relations.

Next up - the Parking Matters award. Twelve parking marketing campaigns were recognized at the event with TPTA members taking home two of the three Best of 2017 awards. Congratulations to Transportation Services, Texas A&M University (TAMU) and ParkHouston for receiving the Best of 2017 Parking Matters awards! Congratulations also go out to Texas Tech University and the University of Texas-San Antonio for recognition of their marketing campaigns.

But it doesn't end there! Both TAMU and Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, earned the Accredited Parking Organization with Distinction (APO) recognition. APO, developed by the IPI, is a certification for parking organizations that have achieved a comprehensive standard of excellence. TPTA members are making our region shine!

There you have it. Six member organizations recognized at the IPI and 3 individual team members receiving great recognition for their achievements and accomplishments! Go Texas!

When did you last invest in yourself? Here's an opportunity...

Throughout my career, I have said, “if you're not willing to invest in yourself, how can you expect someone else to invest in you?” A mentor from one of my management courses said it to me and it stuck. I realized that not only did I need to look for ways to learn and improve myself, I needed to also put the time into making myself marketable and worthy of someone else’s time to basically “invest” in me whether through a job, networking or friendship.

Mary Mabry, CAPP
Product Manager/Project Manager-Parking Solutions
Cardinal Tracking, Inc.

In parking, we are always faced with investment relationships and what I term as “resolution issues” so having resources is key to survival as we need answers and solutions right here, right now. All of you have resources, it is just knowing where to find them and the Texas Parking and Transportation Association (TPTA) is a great one to have on hand. As a member, you have access to professionals in the University, City, Airport, Hospital and Service side of the business.

TPTA not only offers the networking and educational classes at their annual conference but they also offer quarterly Roundtable and Networking Sessions. The next one will be at Baylor University in Waco, Texas on June 13, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This session will feature topics on Social Media with speakers, Kathleen Laney with Laney Solutions and Robert Broward with University of Houston Parking and Transportation Services. So why not take the time to attend because it is a “FREE” session which includes breakfast, lunch and parking.

Why not invest in yourself or your staff and attend the next Roundtable, because you never know if you may have something you can share that allows another professional to invest in themselves.  

Have you recovered? Well, ready or not - it's almost Roundtable time!

The annual conference was a smashing success! Thank you to our vendors, members and sponsors for helping us make this a premier parking event! If you haven't already, check out your pics on the social gallery.

Summer is around the corner and our colleagues at the universities are going to get a minute to catch their breath. We thought TPTA should take advantage of that! We are pleased to announce that Baylor University has agreed to host the June 2017 Roundtable & Networking Event.

The details are online and registration will soon open - so keep an eye out for the email and make sure you land one of the coveted 40 spaces. This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues and learn from industry leaders - FOR FREE! Also, a great chance to check out Baylor University!

Hope to see you in Waco from June 12-13!

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu!

We've had education, awards, networking, golf, music, food, dancing and even a mechanical bull - but all good things must come to an end. #TPTA2017 was a resounding success - keep posting pics using the hashtag #TPTA2017 so these make it to our gallery. If you have a suggestion for #TPTA2018, send it our way.

We are excited about the upcoming year and planning for #TPTA2018 is already underway. Safe travels home and keep in touch! Get ready to be inspired in Houston at #TPTA2018!

Winners!

Today we recognized projects, programs and individuals for their contribution to the parking industry.

The TPTA Annual Awards program recognized the following. Without further ado, the 2017 award winners are:

• Parking Structure New - TCU Worth Hills Parking Garage
• Parking Structure Restoration - Hilton Houston Post Oak Parking Structure
• Parking Program - COAST (University of Houston)
• Parking Equipment and Technology - 311 Integration (ParkHouston)
• Parking Employee - Norman Holt (ParkHouston)
• Distinguished Service Award - Debbie Hoffman, CAPP (Transportation Services, Texas A&M) & Maria Irshad, CAPP (ParkHouston)

Congratulations to all winners - the nominations will be posted online after the conference.

It's all about YOU!

Hey social media mavens - ya'll are kicking up a twitter storm that we haven't seen before! You can check out the social wall on the app to see what everyone is posting.

We're also feeding your tweets and posts to our website, so check it out! Use the hashtag #TPTA2017 to make sure your posts make it to our gallery.

Keep up the posts and enjoy the conference!

Get ready, set, CONFERENCE!

Hey ya'll - we've kicked off the 30th Annual TPTA Conference & Tradeshow. Golf games have been won and lost and lunch has been served.

Hopefully you are well rested and ready to hit the education sessions. We are very pleased to offer two tracks to our attendees this year. So instead of ten sessions to pick from - you now have 20! Team up with a colleague and you can split them up.

While you are networking - don't forget to play the game in the conference app - you might be a lucky winner! Post pictures to our Facebook page or tweet us at @TEXASPARKING - we want to see you on social media! #TPTA2017

So glad you are able to join us for this event - download the conference app and make sure you get everything you need out of the show. Volunteers are stationed throughout and ready to assist.

Happy conferencing parking nerds!

Board member Jane Wilcox and Communications Committee Member Angie Blocher assist with registration and check in. #TPTA2017

Can you manage parking for the State Fair of Texas?

If so, hurry and check out the RFP on our website - deadline for proposals is April 13, 2017.

Friendly reminder that we will post your RFP for free - if you have an RFP that is ready for posting, simply submit it to us and we'll help you get word out.

Good luck!

What to pack?

To check or not to check - that is the question. Pack light and get off the plane fast or pack everything you think you might need and be forced to check in your suitcase. It's always a struggle.

So, what do you need to bring?! Well, here are a few thoughts about the items that you should consider.

• Lots of business cards!
• Are you looking for a solution? Bring questions!
• Does your organization do something well - can others learn from you? Come prepared to share your ideas. Gear up to submit a presentation for the 2018 Conference.
• Get ready to network!
• Review the schedule - any speakers you have questions for? Write it down! Submit questions to them via the app!
• Bring the app! Have it downloaded on your phone so you can get started on the game - you might be the lucky winner!
• Bring your appetite - Wednesday night event is catered by Reata - get ready for some excellent dining!

If you're anything like me - you won't need all the shoes. Cut a pair or two! See you in Ft Worth!

Well, did you download the conference app yet?

Here's why you should:

• Use the conference app to get a jump start on the leaderboard and maybe you'll win the grand prize!
• Take a look at the attendee list and setup meetings with vendors or colleagues.
• Post pics and comments to social media and the app social wall.
• We have 20 sessions for the conference! Use the app to schedule which sessions you want to attend.
• Complete session surveys asap
• Check out exhibitors - by name or category.
• You can call Uber from our app!

So download now!