Airport Parking News

www.Parctel.com: In a recent survey commissioned by the FLO Corporation and conducted by Business Travel Coalition (BTC) during July 2007, many respondents indicated that they would pay to join a program that guaranteed them reserved airpport parking.

38% of survey participants indicated that they would be Extremely or Very Interested in paying $199 to upgrade from a basic RT membership offering to a premier RT membership with benefits beyond security processing that could include reserved parking at one's home airport, remote baggage check-in at hotels, airport concession discounts and global assistance. Only 6% said they were not interested at all.

This survey was the first major survey of its kind in two years. (Survey results can be accessed at http://www.fastlaneoption.com/ )

www.Parctel.com: The National Parking Association (NPA) will hold its 56th Annual Parking, Transportation and Services Convention and Exposition on Oct. 22-25, 2007, at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles, CA.

"NPA's annual convention provides a unique opportunity for networking and information sharing for all parking industry professionals," said Martin L. Stein, executive director. "We have planned an unparalleled educational experience with a dynamic line-up of speakers, general and business sessions, and roundtable discussions. In addition, approximately 85-90 companies representing all facets of the parking industry will exhibit their products and services in the hotel's Grand Ballroom."

Opening the convention on Oct. 23 will be Howard Fineman, Newsweek's senior Washington correspondent and columnist, with "A View from Washington: How Hot Button Issues Will Affect the Political Landscape." Fineman has interviewed every major presidential candidate since 1984, focusing in recent years on the roots, rise and presidency of George W. Bush. Fineman's humor and insight will lead an animated discussion of the current issues affecting our nation and he will answer questions about the most pressing political issues in Washington, DC, as well as the 2008 presidential election.

On Oct. 24, two parking industry giants - Herbert Anderson, vice chairman and CEO of Impark, based in Vancouver, BC, and Emanuel Eads, president and CEO, Central Parking Corp., Nashville, TN, will discuss the state of the industry. They will project where the parking industry is headed and cover such topics as consolidation, client expectations, and the effects of technology, government intervention, green initiatives, unions, international competition and the impact of the infrastructure venture companies joining the parking industry.

Donald Shoup, a professor of urban planning at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of "The High Cost of Free Parking," will speak on Oct. 25. Shoup has extensively studied the issue of parking as a key link between transportation and land use, with important consequences for cities, the economy, and the environment. He will unravel current parking policies and propose sensible reforms as he sets out to prove that "parking isn't really free."

Topics of other business sessions include hospital and hotel parking, safety and risk management, facility marketing, valet parking, universities and municipalities, understanding the value of your business, automation, business presentation skills, off-airport parking locations, revenue control and building owners and managers. In addition, Michael Stevens, a partner in the Washington, DC, law firm of Arent Fox, will provide a legal update for the parking industry. On Oct.22, the Helen and Jerry Stocks Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at Angeles National Golf Course in Sunland, CA. The tournament will benefit the Parking Industry Institute (PII) Scholarship Fund. PII is a foundation of the NPA and has provided more than $300,000 in college scholarships since 1986. For registration and general information on the convention and exposition, contact Bobbie Westmoreland at 202.296.4336. Companies interested in exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities should contact Pat Langfeld, director, marketing and business development, at 202.296.4336, ext. 205, or go to www.npapark.org.

www.Parctel.com: The British Parking Association (BPA) officially welcomed its new President, Les Knight, on Tuesday, 11 July 2007, at the President’s Reception at the House of Commons attended by Dr John Pugh, the Liberal Democrat MP for Southport. Knight takes over from Peter Guest.

His first task as President will be to announce the BPA’s new five-year strategy, which will see the Association seek to better serve the needs of both the member and the consumer as the parking sector develops. With the introduction of the new regulations and Guidance for Civil Parking Enforcement over the next year and with the BPA taking on an increasingly, although informal, regulatory role, it will become more important for consumers needs and views to play a part in its development.

Broadly, the five-year plan 2007-12 will see the BPA consolidate its position as the recognised leading authority on parking and related issues, serving members and consumers by:

· Setting and raising standards further
· Supporting the needs of the consumer
· Developing its regulatory role
· Expanding the range of member services

Initiatives to achieve these aims will be rolled out over the next few months.

Keith Banbury, Chief Executive of the BPA, commented: “We welcome Les as the new President, and look forward to his input at what is an interesting time for the Association, and the still relatively young parking sector. As we move further towards consolidation, regulation and consultation, it will be more important than ever to have someone who knows the industry inside out at the helm.”

New Business Director of Euro Car Parks, Les is well established in the parking industry, having been with his current company for 18 years. His responsibilities for maintaining high level relationships with key account clients, including private companies, health authorities and local authorities, ensure that his finger is on the pulse of many of the parking sector’s growth areas.

His early years were spent in the structural design of buildings, and later in the access control industry. Also setting the agenda for continued quality improvement and client satisfaction with all Euro Car Parks’ services, his contributions are not limited to his day job. As Vice President for the BPA, Les has served on several steering committees, including those with a focus on off-street enforcement and shopping and retail. He maintains a watching brief on the changing face of parking and technological development, and holds a specific interest in the NVQ training development programme.

Lynn Witham of Parking Associates Ltd becomes Vice President.

www.Parctel.com: Q-Park, one of Europe's largest and most advanced car park operators, has appointed a new management team to drive forward its BCP airport booking service.

Freddie Kemp, UK Commercial Director of Q-Park Ltd, who has been involved in the airport car parking and property sector since 1994, takes over the business following the departure of Stephen Moss CBE and Eric Campus, members of the founding family of BCP. He is supported by Q-Park Head of Marketing Will Dunnett, who has taken on responsibility for sales and marketing at BCP and by Kevin Sage, previously Commercial Director who assumes the role of Finance Director.

"BCP is one of the most highly respected organisations in the travel industry. Multi-award winning, it has developed an industry-leading reputation for customer service and professionalism. The role of the new team will be to drive this philosophy forward as the premier airport car parking service", says Q-Park Chief Executive Alan Ashbee.

Just Parking as an approved BCP Airport Parking Affiliate wishes the new management team well.