The 2016 IPI Conference & Expo was the biggest parking event yet. With more than 250 exhibitors showcasing thousands of the most innovative product and services in the parking industry, the show floor was once again the best place to meet trendsetters and decision-makers. From design, lighting, signage, payment, reporting, special events, safety, security, and more, you were bound to find the right solution. But it wasn't all shop talk -- though we had ShopTalks too -- exhibitors got in on the fun with games, prizes, and the Expo-poly board game, where attendees visited exhibitors to collect stamps in hopes of winning two tickets to the 2016 CMAs. If you want to connect with an exhibitor but didn't get their contact information, use the exhibitor directory to search by name, product, and service. 

The Disney brand is far more than a logo and a destination. Our opening General Session Keynote, Dennis Snow, Disney Service Excellence Speaker, shared just how Disney creates a customer-centric culture. Hire the right people. Train them to be ambassadors. Empower them to "wow" customers. And by all means, don't settle for ordinary. Set your sights on excellence in every facet of your operation. Each of these lessons applies to your parking organization as well -- we'd love to hear about how you are applying these concepts in our industry.

"Interactive." "Easy." "The greatest app yet!" These were some of the comments we heard about the 2016 IPI Conference & Expo mobile app (IPI2016 in the App Store and Google Play). More than half of all Conference attendees engaged in the app, uploading 2,800 photos and submitting 2,500 posts over the four-day show. There were nearly 11,500 visits to the app on opening day of the Conference alone. The platform buzzed with activity and competition for the chance to win two tickets to the 2017 CMA Music Festival. App users completed session evaluations, got room and schedule updates, synced up their fitness trackers to participate in the GETFit Challenge, and much more on it. 

Parking leaders representing 12 different countries met at the 2016 IPI Conference & Expo as part of the annual Global Parking Association Leaders (GPALs) Summit. The group discussed the U.S. Green Building Council's Parksmart certification program and international efforts to promote sustainability. Learn more about GPALs.