STATE & REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

A Long-Awaited Reunion

By Patrick Phillips

THE NEW YORK STATE Parking and Transportation Association (NYSPTA) proudly serves members of the parking industry spanning the entire State of New York and beyond. From the easternmost reaches of Long Island to the Niagara Frontier, from the Adirondacks to the Catskills, NYSPTA provides an opportunity for education and networking throughout our great state.

2021: A Long-Awaited Reunion

In October 2019, The New York Parking and Transportation association (NYSPTA) held its 27th Annual Conference at Saratoga, N.Y. As we participated in fantastic educational forums, interacted on the exhibit floor, and enjoyed each other’s company, none of the 100-plus participants would have imagined that our next gathering would be 24 months later.

Well, friends, we made it! In October 2021, NYSPTA’s Annual Fall Conference took place at the beautiful Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, N.Y. Due to the association’s strong university and municipal membership base, many the regular conference participants were unable to attend as a result of state-imposed budget constraints associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While these individuals were missed, we look forward to reuniting with them at several exciting association events planned for 2022. Despite the challenges of 2021, the number of conference attendees exceeded all prior expectations. The Harbor Hotel proved to be the perfect venue for the long-awaited, intimate setting that the association’s members had hoped for. The beauty of fall foliage in the heart of the Finger Lake’s Region is a sight to behold! Day One began with an afternoon wine tasting followed by an amazing networking event. Day Two was packed with fabulous industry specific educational speaker presentations.

For the first time, NYSPTA live streamed its speaker sessions as a means to share information with our loyal members who were unable to attend. This value-added initiative was led by Board Member Kevin Wood (Village of Port Jefferson) with the assistance of Board Member Doug Grotke (University of Rochester). The ses-

sions were later posted on NYSPTA’s website for open viewing. There you will find the learned work of such speakers as, Barry Carr, Paul Young, Cindy Campbell, Mayor Billy Barlow (Oswego), Ryan Slack, Andy Hill, Lex Blum, Sylvia Martinez-Mullaly, and Mike Drow, CAPP. among others who participated in a University Roundtable event hosted by association Secretary Johnna Frosini, CAPP. Everyone was informative and amazing!

Following the speaker presentations of Day Two, participants gathered wearing their favorite sports attire for the NYSPTA Tailgate Party. This event featured music, great food, a few heated cornhole matches, trivia competition, etc. I’m happy to report all participants tailgated responsibly and that there were no instances of table jumping. Search the web for keywords “Buffalo”, “Football” and “Table Jumping” if you are interested in learning more about this questionable and curious pastime. GO BILLS!

As always, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the hard work of association Manager Dawn Marti for her amazing work in organizing the event. Furthermore, the generosity and loyalty of the association’s sponsors and exhibitors is second to none! Year-in and year-out, they provide enormous support which serves not only to anchor, but to grow our great association. We look forward to working with everyone on a great slate of tantalizing and stimulating events scheduled for the spring and summer of 2022, details forthcoming. We are also looking forward to your participation and support as we host the 29th Annual Fall Conference in Buffalo.

Thank You Jason Jones!

By the time this article is posted, President Jason Jones (University at Albany) will have completed his second and final term as President of the New York State Parking and Transportation association. I’d like to take this opportunity to formally recognize Jason for his many ideas, contributions and enthusiastic leadership of NYSPTA over his four-year tenure.

Those who know Jason would agree there is a vast assortment of kind words to describe him, particularly in his role as President. Several words that quickly come to mind are loyal, energetic, humorous and inclusive. Jason drew upon these attributes (among many others) to guide the association through a tumultuous pandemic. He refused to allow COVID-19 to disrupt the nearly three decades long success of our great association. Among the highest of his achievements as president, Jason led the 2021 Fall Conference sponsorship drive that not only provided the resources for an amazing event, but also rebuilt the association’s post pandemic treasury. Thank you, Jason Jones, the association is forever indebted to you. We look forward to and value your future involvement and friendship.

More Thanks and Recognition

Also completing Board Member terms are Shawn Brown (Town of North Hempstead) and Jim Zullo, CAPP (THA Consulting). Jim has been a contributing fixture on the Board for more than a decade and we are glad to share that his associate, Nan Chen will continue the THA Consulting tradition of Board representation. ◆

2022 Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Patrick H. Phillips Allpro Parking, LLC

VICE PRESIDENT To Be Nominated Soon

SECRETARY Johnna Frosini, CAPP College at Brockport, SUNY

TREASURER Matthew Reitmeier University at Buffalo

PAST PRESIDENT Jason M. Jones University at Albany

BOARD MEMBERS

Chantel Cabrera, LMSW Pace University Nan Chen, MBA THA Consulting Doug Grotke University at Rochester Tomas M. Moyer StructureCare Kacey Siskind HonkMobile Christopher C. Suszko LAZ Parking Krista Tassa PF Parking Kevin Wood Village of Port Jefferson, N.Y.

PATRICK PHILLIPS is regional manager and director of technology of Allpro Parking and president of the New York State Parking & Transportation Association. He can be reached at PPhillips@allproparking. com.