Talent and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Track
The search for talent is still consuming a lot of parking operators’ time and resources. In addition, parking facilities are seeking to build a workforce that is as diverse and inclusive of the local community and a corporate culture that is welcoming and engaging.
The Talent and DEI track will focus on the tools and trends to help operators find, train, and retain the very best talent.
View the Full Program Schedule >>
Visionary Sponsors:
Supporter Sponsors:
NEW! Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Program >> NPA members, attend this complimentary program at the NPA Convention to earn your DEI Certificate.
 NPA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate program examines the current best practices in and around DEI initiatives among parking operators, public facilities, and the industry’s supplier community.
Attendees Wil Learn:
- How to Develop a DEI Program - where to start; how to get support and “buy-in.”
- How to Manage a DEI Program - what tactics work best in a given situation – Employee Resource Groups, etc.
- How to Measure DEI Success - Metrics, KPI’s and RFPs.
In addition, individual sessions will address the areas of work and wellness; how culture can motivate performance; how to enact an inclusive talent policy, and respond to RFPs in a DEI-focused environment.
NPA Members - Earn Your Complimentary Certificate
- Attend all 3 Talent & DEI Core programs plus 2 other Talent & DEI sessions of your choosing to complete 5 hours of programming.
- Download the NPA conference app to track your attendance.
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Educational Sessions Include:
DEI Toolkit Series: Core 1 – Developing a DEI Program
Stepping Up: How to Successfully Manage the Leadership Role
Origin Stories: My Career in Parking
DEI Toolkit Series: DEI Core 2 – Managing DEI Programs
First-Class Service: How to Build a Service-Based Culture Organization
DEI Toolkit Series: DEI Core 3 – Success Metrics on Compliance - RFPs
DEI Toolkit Series: As a Manager, Learn How to Enact an Inclusive Talent Policy
Leadership, Excellence, and Focus: How to Get Ahead in the Parking Service Industry
DEI Toolkit Series: Core 1 – Developing a DEI Program
Monday, September 18 | 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Learn how parking operators can develop a DEI initiative within their organization. What key questions should they ask themselves and what resources are needed to address this issue effectively?
The program will present case studies from successful DEI initiatives and will examine how they started, how they are developing, and what future plans they have.
This program will:
• Address the principles and definitions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace.
• Help to develop a DEI program - where to start; how to get support and “buy-in.”
• Uncover the key metrics used to measure success and determine progress.
• Describe how to tie DEI goals to the wider corporate mission.
| Speakers |
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Karla Cantu
District Manager - Austin, TX
Platinum Parking |
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Will Thompson
District Manager - Houston, TX
Platinum Parking |
Stepping Up: How to Successfully Manage the Leadership Role
Monday, September 18 | 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Learn how to successfully make the transition from being a manager at one facility to being a GM with responsibility for multiple operations. This executive-level presentation will outline the importance of both hard skills and soft skills in becoming an effective parking executive.
This program will:
• Demonstrate the importance of being able to “Walk the Talk" when leading others.
• Convey the need to continually grow an executive team, from Managers to GMs, and from GMs to Senior GMs, and more.
• Discuss how to look at the parking enterprise through many lenses (service, operational, entrepreneurial, etc.)
| Speaker |
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Aaron Chaves
VP of Operations, PCAM |
Origin Stories: My Career in Parking
Monday, September 18 | 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
The parking industry holds many inspirational stories of professionals who started their careers on the frontlines and worked their way up to management and executive positions. These experiences have allowed individuals to learn many different aspects of the industry, creating vital leadership skills and helping them to hone a unique understanding of the ins and outs of day-to-day operations.
Hear their stories, learn their lessons, and profit from their experience.
Panelists will share their lessons learned in the parking industry, advice to their younger selves, and hopes for the future of the industry. They will provide attendees with guidance and best practices to achieve their career goals.
| Speakers |
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Katherine Beaty
EVP of Customer Experience
TEZ Technology |
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Marjorie Jones
Sales Administrator
Tez Technology |
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Matt Truhlar
General Manager
PCI Municipal Services |
DEI Toolkit Series: Core 2 – Managing DEI Programs
Tuesday, September 19 | 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Join a panel-style session and explore the ways that parking operators can promote diversity and inclusion from the individual level all the way to the C-suite. We all have a role to play in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and cities nationwide are taking initiative to create more livable and equitable communities.
The program will:
• Identify lessons learned and best practices from various city leaders and industry professionals who strive to support equality and diversity.
• Identify transparent plans and actions to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, both at an individual level and an organizational level.
• Demonstrate ways to create and maintain an environment where employees and customers feel safe to live and work, and feel a sense of true belonging.
| Speaker |
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Maggie DiPaolo, PHR, SHRM-CP
VP, People + Culture
LAZ Parking |
First-Class Service: How to Build a Service-Based Culture Organization
Tuesday, September 19 | 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Learn how having a strong company culture motivates everyone to do their best work. Businesses with a defined organizational culture tend to be more successful than less structured companies because they have systems in place that support the behaviors and actions that enhance employee performance, productivity, and engagement.
Hear how Towne Park uses its corporate culture to leverage its mission, engage its team members, and significantly impact its level of customer service.
The program will also examine how company culture has changed to reflect the evolving labor environment and employee expectations today.
This program will:
• Explore the nexus between corporate culture and service.
• Explain how service-focused organizations orient employees to their mission, purpose, and values.
• Illustrate how Towne Park uses its culture to reinforce service – training, employee engagement and recognition, community programs, etc.
• Showcase how to become an employer of choice in the marketplace.
| Moderator |
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Vicki Pero, SPHR, CPP
Principal
The Marlyn Group |
| Speakers |
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Bev Dribin
SVP Brand, Marketing, and Communications
Towne Park |
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Jeff Frazier
SVP Talent Strategy
Towne Park |
DEI Toolkit Series: Core 3 – Success Metrics
Wednesday, September 20 | 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Understand the importance of including success metrics and other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into any DEI program. Dr. Winterich is currently consulting with the parking industry on a number of DEI programming initiatives. She will provide an overview and a roadmap of how to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from all levels of a parking operation, from the C-suite to the front line.
She will also examine how to use this data to improve performance and participation, and overcome resistance to change.
| Speaker |
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Dr. Julie Winterich
Lincoln Financial Professor of Sociology
Guilford College |
DEI Toolkit Series: As a Manager, Learn How to Enact an Inclusive Talent Policy
Wednesday, September 20 | 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Hear how successful parking facilities are building a workforce that is diverse and inclusive of their local communities. Research shows that creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is not only the right thing to do, but it benefits a business’ bottom line.
This program will examine case studies on successful inclusive recruitment programs and provide a roadmap that your facility can follow.
| Speaker |
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Stephanie Barnes
VP
LAZ Healthcare Services |
Leadership, Excellence, and Focus: How to Get Ahead in the Parking Service Industry
Wednesday, September 20 | 2:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Learn how leadership in the service economy differs from other industries. Two top thought leaders from parking – one in the private commercial sector and one in the public sector – demonstrate how to master these leadership skills.
Great service organizations elevate themselves by doing things differently from the competition while continuing to strive for operational excellence. An essential part of this excellence is knowing the most important leadership characteristics in the service economy and utilizing these traits to elevate your operation to the top. Learn these characteristics and demonstrate how to put them into action in the field.
This session will examine:
- Service leadership – What a service leader is and what leadership characteristics apply to you.
- Service excellence – How to create excellence in what you are doing rather than simply going to work each day.
- Service focus – How the phrase, “We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen,” exemplifies the gold standard in service for Ritz Hotels and for your organization.
| Speakers |
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Stephanie Barnes
Vice President
LAZ Healthcare Services |
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Robert Milner, MS, CAPP
Executive Director, Auxiliary Services
University of Maryland, Baltimore |
