The National Parking Association (NPA) and Women in Parking (WIP), long-time collaborators and peer organizations, announced their plans to unite.

With NPA’s reputation as the premier association for parking professionals and WIP’s increased momentum, the combined organization will have the leadership, reach, and voice necessary to amplify the advancement and achievement of women in the parking industry.

“The strategic union with WIP will solidify the parking industry’s commitment to diversity and workforce development,” said NPA Board Chair Nicolle Judge. “By combining Women in Parking with NPA’s expanding member base, we can align our efforts to develop even more parking professionals.”

NPA and WIP have collaborated over the history of both organizations, including hosting WIP conferences and events alongside NPA conventions. Nicolle Judge also served as a Women in Parking Board Director.

“Women in Parking and NPA have been long time partners. The reputation of NPA, coupled with the momentum of women in parking movement, makes this the perfect time to officially unite,” said WIP Board Chair Marcy Sparrow.

Ruth Beaman, Executive Director of WIP said, “We’re confident that joining forces and focusing our efforts will mean that we can provide our parking leaders with the best practice tools, research and peer network the parking industry has to offer.”

Over the course of the year, NPA and WIP will work to transition to a single operational structure. The entire membership of WIP will become a part of NPA’s membership and will begin receiving NPA welcome materials and access to NPA benefits.

NPA will host a welcome call in March for all WIP members to learn more about the organization and transition. NPA President Christine Banning, IOM, CAE said, “We are very proud to join forces with Women in Parking and take the transition process very seriously. NPA leadership will do everything in its power to ensure the transition is seamless, and all WIP members continue to play an active role in the organization.”

There is a staggering statistic that over the course of a year, 16 of the largest container ships, or super-vessels, can emit as much sulfur into the atmosphere as all of the cars in the world running during that same year time frame. If you stop for a minute to think about that fact, it becomes difficult to even wrap your mind around it. The same amount of sulfur as ALL of the cars in the world over the course of an entire year! And the sulfur pollution is only the beginning of this story.

Almost everything we purchase as American consumers is produced in Asia. This requires a constant flow of cargo ships back and forth between continents. There are an estimated 100,000 container ships on the seas and this number continues to grow. Some of the larger vessels can carry 14,000 full sized containers! The larger cargo ships have engines that are the size of a house! So just imagine the pollution created by an engine that large.

Couple this with the fact that, because of zero international regulations, these ships are allowed to burn the cheapest, filthiest, high-sulfur fuel only compounds the problem. This “bunker fuel” as it is called is the lowest grade of liquid fuel in use and contains 2,000 times the amount of sulfur as automobile diesel fuel. Its basically what’s left over after all of the cleaner fuels have been extracted from crude oil.

Environmental organizations across the globe have tried to ban this type of fuel but for now it is still in use. The United States itself has tried to impart regulations on these ships once they are within a certain distance to our shores, but the ships are no longer liable once they are in international waters.

A recent study by the NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that the particulates expelled from container ships contribute to over 60,000 premature human deaths each year. These health risks are most prevalent in areas in the Mediterranean, India and China because they are heavily trafficked by containers. However, winds can push cargo ship exhaust anywhere, including our own Florida coast, where the ecosystem and air are being polluted because of these ships.

Bottom line, the impact that overseas shipping has on our environment is a serious issue. Many seating manufacturers contribute to this air pollution everyday because of their their non-US based sourcing and manufacturing.

Made in the USA makes a difference. Please consider where products are being manufactured before you make your next buying decision. 

Eileen Kulish is an Allied Member and the National Accounts Manager for MTS Seating

The ticket for the game might not be too fan-friendly, but oh how guests at Super Bowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta are going to love chowing down on some $2 hot dogs and washing them down for some $5 beer.

Yes, the prices for such staple concession items at America’s biggest sporting event gives patrons an opportunity to save a few bucks when it comes to filling up the stomach.

As team CEO/President Rich McKay said once again in advance of next Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, the venue would have Fan First Menu Pricing for spectators, and the menu even goes beyond the tried-and-true hot dogs and beer.

In all, some 12 popular food and beverage items will be available at very affordable prices, including $5 cheeseburgers, $3 nachos, and $2 refillable soft drinks. There is no tax included on the items, so go ahead and hand over that $10 bill and walk away with some nachos, a dog, and a cold one.

The low pricing is actually counter to what takes place at such a major event as a Super Bowl. But, again, McKay, pushed aside the significance of the game when it came to menu pricing.

In fact, the team introduced the concept when the sparkling $1.5 billion stadium debuted in 2017. Most telling, spending per customer rose 16 percent despite a 55 percent dip in prices from the last year of the Georgia Dome through the inaugural year of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Levy Restaurants is the venue’s F&B provider. With this being, of course, a Super Bowl, fans will make it an all-day affair, something the provider has taken into account as there are 29 walk-in coolers for keg storage and another 12 for food coolers. There will be no issue in running out of items as 75,000 bottled waters and 55,000 hot dogs will be stocked for the big game.

The concept of lowering some prices seems to be catching on as 13 pro and college sports teams have followed the lead in Atlanta, including the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions.

Where does all of this go from here? Who knows, but for now there is a great starting point set by the model in Atlanta.

Good morning, everyone, we are looking into umbrella stands for our facility. I am curious what type of stands other venues are using. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Do you know where the above comment came from? No idea, you say. Let us fill you in if that is your answer. Bob Eslick, operations manager of the south hall of the Von Braun Center posted it Friday morning on IAVM’s VenueNet.

If you did know the answer, hats off to you as you are someone who takes advantage of the public and interactive member forum known as VenueNet. One of IAVM’s true jewels, VenueNet is the place where industry questions are asked and then answered by peers in the know. We might add that if you are an Allied member but not taking advantage of VenueNet, you are likely missing out on something even greater — potential dollars. Many of the questions posed have to do with products and services, which is where you, the Allied member, come in.

Regardless of membership category, VenueNet is here to help you.

“The thing I like about VenueNet is that everything that’s on your mind shows up there and you can get answers and people’s opinions on everything. It’s fabulous!” said Robyn Williams, CVE, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts.

VenueNet works best when there is participation. Many members begin their day by browsing VenueNet to possibly not only answer a question but on occasion to even find a question that they thought of asking but someone else did first.

“There is always somebody there that can answer a question for you,” said Dusty Saine, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. “The interaction is important but talking to somebody who understands the problems you have and has solved this problem before saves you a lot of time and stress.”

“VenueNet is a huge benefit to members who do use it,” added Tammy Koolbeck, CVE, Iowa State Center, IAVM 1st Vice Chair.

Members are also encouraged to download and use the MemberCentric app in order to access VenueNet on the go through mobile devices, which many are already doing.

Regardless of how you use VenueNet or where you use it from, the bottom line is to participate to help your colleagues and to get answers for your own questions or offer comments, suggestions, or recommendations.

“It truly is one of the hidden treasures we have,” said Michael Marion, CVE, Verizon Arena, IAVM Chair of the Board.

Adam Straight Hired

After a nationwide search, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has named Adam Straight as vice president of operations. In this capacity, Straight will be tasked with the oversight of plans and strategies for convention center event operations. Departments reporting to Adam will include Production Services, Food and Beverage, Public Safety, Environmental Services, and more.

Straight brings more than 19 years of facility operations and management experience to his new role. Before joining with the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Straight served as the senior director of campus operations for the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) in Atlanta, Georgia, which includes the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes Benz Stadium, and Centennial Olympic Park. Under his leadership there, he and his team on the GWCC Authority oversaw the planning and management of multiple NCAA Final Fours, Super Bowls, and the National College Football Playoff Championship Game.

Straight’s career in the events industry includes four years as director of facility operations at the Georgia Dome, which played host to hundreds of sporting events and concerts, bringing approximately 1.9 million guests to the building per year. Straight also served 12 years with the University of Maryland, where he oversaw the daily operations of 14 athletic facilities that saw about 750,000 visitors annually. During this time, Straight also oversaw the planning, construction, and opening of a $13.5 million football stadium renovation.

“Adam is a great fit in both experience and personality and I am confident he is a perfect addition to our staff,” said Michael Sawaya, President of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

“My family and I are very excited to join the New Orleans family and plant roots in such a historic and vibrant city,” Straight said. “Through my unique experiences in venue management, my commitment to hospitality excellence and use of Quality Operating Standards, I look forward to help solidifying the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center as the #1 destination center in the #1 destination city.”

A nine-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard, Straight received numerous accolades and commendations for his service. Straight is also an IAVM Certified Venue Manager and received his Safety Certification from the National Safety Council.