IPI is striving to be proactive to our member’s feedback.  IPI’s Expo Committee held a Focus Group at the 2010 Conference & Expo and we solicited feedback from all attendees through various surveys during the 2010 show.  Now, we’re putting your responses to good use. Here are some exciting changes we’ve made based on your comments:

• EDUCATION
• EXPO HALL
• GENERAL

Education

You said: I really want to attend the conference but I need to provide tangible benefits to my supervisor, HELP!

Our response: IPI has created the Justification Toolkit that will provide you with the tools to show ROI, cost comparison and a template letter to your supervisor!

You said: I can’t decide – there are so many great concurrent education sessions offered.  Is there anything that can be done?

Our response: We heard you!  We’re limiting the number of concurrent sessions from six to five and added additional (seven to eight) opportunities for education through the week.

You said: More sessions for open peer-to-peer discussion groups.

Our response: You got it!  We’ve increased the length of time for our Shoptalks from 60 to 90 minutes.  Shoptalks will be offered during two different days of the conference that will focus on eight targeted topics and one focused workshop on the Parking Industry's Platform on Sustainability - a 10-point framework on guiding principals of sustainability.  Now you’ll have more time to discuss day-to-day challenges and find solutions with your peers and counterparts!

You said:  We want more interactive education sessions that allow for more Q&A.

Our response: The IPI Education Committee is working on designing more of the educational sessions in a panel format instead of a straight lecture from one speaker.

You said:  There is so much great education offered at the conference, but some of it isn’t applicable to my level in the industry.  Can you provide targeted tiered education for my experience level?

Our response: We hear you!  Some attendees have been in the industry 20+ years.  Some just “fell” into the parking industry but need a crash course on the basics.  We’ve created Workshops that provide a birds-eye overview into the industry based on your experience level.  These workshops will be provided on Sunday, May 22 for a nominal fee ($99 member/$149 non-member).

You said:  Our organization is really focused on [environmental/sustainability] and I need to learn everything I can on this topic.  How do I know which sessions to attend and that will be applicable to this topic?


Our response:  Again, we are continuing track education that will allow you to customize your education session attendance based on the most relevant topics to you.  For more information on the Tracks offered, click here. 

Other education is offered on sustainability throughout the conference.  They are: 

Wednesday, May 25 - 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.       General Session:  "Green Technologies for Parking"

Wednesday, May 25 - 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.        Sustainability Workshop for Parking Professionals 

You said: It was great to have access to the PowerPitch Hours on the expo floor, however, is there a way to make it more conducive to learning?

Our response: We will continue to have it on the expo floor, so there is less travel time for you, but we have strategically placed it in an area that will allow for greater and clearer communication for our presenters. 

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Expo Hall

You said: Why is there a charge to access the Expo?

Our response: Loud and Clear!  Now the Opening Meet & Mingle Reception is held on the expo floor on Sunday, May 22 – 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm with *FREE access for attendees.  Simply stop by the IPI registration counters for your badge and access to more than 200+ solution and technology providers during this soft kickoff to the 2011 IPI Conference & Expo.
Must register by April 30 for FREE access to this evening reception on the show floor.

You said: While there is plenty of time for visiting the Expo, and tons of education and networking opportunities offered, it would be great to have more free time in the evenings to attend vendor-customer appreciation events or see some of the local city.

Our response: We’ve reorganized the expo hall hours and education content to provide more free evenings to attend vendor customer appreciation events or to take in some of the local flavor and flair of Pittsburgh!

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General

You said: We love the Facility Tours of local parking operations integrated into the program, but there are too many to choose from in one day.  I’d like to see more than one of the options offered.

Our response: Done!  This year, tours will be offered on Tuesday, May 24, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and on Wednesday, May 25, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  

You said: I loved the Grab & Go lunch and straight to the Shoptalks.  This was a great way to combine two terrific events.  Will this continue?

Our response: Absolutely!  On Sunday, May 22, from 12:30 p.m., Grab (your lunch) & Go to the Shoptalks beginning at 1:00 p.m.

You said: Why is the “Closing Event” not on the last day?

Our response:  The conference and expo will run from Sunday, May 22 – Wednesday, May 25.  IPI was afforded a unique spin to the "Closing Event" this year and to be able to take advantage of enjoying a ballgame, the Pittsburgh Pirates home game night was on Tuesday, May 24 beginning at 5:45 pm, where vendors and attendees will have a ball!  Don't forget though - the show is not over!  Expo Hall will be open again on Wednesday, May 25 along with educational sessions.

You said: Sometimes I have a break in between sessions or need to make a quick phone call or would like to sit down to chat with a colleague or peer.  I don’t want to walk all the way back to the hotel.  Is there a place somewhere at the convention center where I can sit down and take a quick break? 

Our response: Introducing the Business Connection Portal. Located just outside the expo hall, the lounge will be open onsite, during the day and will allow you a fairly private area to take a quick break or catch up with your favorite sales associates.  Be sure to use the Business Connection Portal online to search for products/services you want to see during the Expo and to schedule appointments with exhibitors ahead of time for private demo’s or one-on-one meetings.

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