GET TO KNOW THE ACCREDITED PARKING ORGANIZATION PROGRAM

program

ACCREDITED PARKING ORGANIZATION (APO) is a designation for parking, transportation, and mobility organizations that have achieved a comprehensive standard of excellence. IPMI’s APO program recognizes best practices in responsible parking management and operations, access management, customer service, professional development, security, sustainability, and other areas.

APOs demonstrate their commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement of program outcomes through the implementation of industry best practices.

Getting Started

■ Download the program overview for a snapshot of the program, or request a copy of the current APO matrix. ■ The APO Manual for Applicants and matrix detail the program’s requirements and criteria, breaking down all aspects of the program into 14 categories. ■ Achieving APO status means an organization has met all 25 required criteria and 80 percent of additional criteria across all categories.

We recommend using the matrix to complete a self-assessment with key members of your team to ensure your organization meets the minimum 25 required items and a majority of the additional criteria. IPMI staff are always available to join you for a kick-off call to answer your questions based on this self-assessment. ■ Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, so your team can get started anytime. Application fees are waived through

December 31, 2021, and accreditation fees are discounted as well. ■ To submit for full APO recognition at the 2021 IPMI Parking & Mobility Conference & Expo in Tampa, Fla., all documentation should be submitted by Friday, July 30, 2021. The APO Board will review applications and documentation packages at that time. Please contact us with any questions on the timeline and process.

Team Up with Your Site Reviewer

Site Reviewers assist APOs in selecting and preparing documentation packages for Board review; this third-party site review is required for new applications. These IPMI-trained industry professionals help your team determine how to achieve criteria and serve as your expert source of information on how to achieve and maintain your accreditation. ■ Download the roster of current APO Site Reviewers here. ■ Determine how you will select and retain your Site Reviewer. Organizations may initiate an RFQ/RFP procurement process or use a Site Reviewer in a consultant agreement or under an ongoing services contract. How you hire and work with your reviewer is entirely up to you. ■ Prior to authorizing your Site Review to get started, we recommend having your electronic documentation for each criteria at least 80 percent complete. ■ Site Reviewers usually visit organizations to review and document the second part of the matrix in an on-site, physical review of facilities. Due to ongoing safety concerns and travel restrictions, this review may be conducted virtually. Please contact us ahead of your review to let us know how you plan to conduct the site visit.

Plan to Celebrate

Walking across the stage at the annual IPMI Parking & Mobility Conference & Expo is just the beginning! IPMI honors all new and reaccrediting APOs at the event during the Awards and Recognition General Session--always a noteworthy and exciting event for your team (and us too)! Your celebration of this achievement starts with this event, but it doesn’t end there: ■ Once approved by the APO Board, you will receive a complete recognition package, including a digital marketing kit, dated APO logos for your organization and Premier Facilities, press release template, and more. You’ll also be invited to submit an APO spotlight article for an upcoming issue of Parking & Mobility magazine. ■ Add your logo to your website, emails, marketing, and patron communications. Be sure to use your Premier Facility logo to your approved facilities to spread your good news. ■ Take your message to social media. We post and share your APO across all of our social media platforms, but you should too. Just tag @IPMINow and we will cross-promote and share.

Make Your Move

The APO program is complex—it has to be to capture all the aspects that contribute to a successful parking, transportation, or mobility operation. The APO program represents an unparalleled standard of excellence in our industry.

APO was designed to be achievable by organizations of all scopes and sizes. Like any journey, it starts with the first step. Be assured that IPMI staff, the APO Board, and our Site Reviewers will be with you all the way through that journey—from your initial investigation up to your celebration. Let’s take that step together—let us know when you are ready to get started! ◆