Our Parking Industry®

Our Parking Industry®

by TPN - The Parking Network
ManagementMarketing
Season 3
Inside The Lane featuring The Tire Tag  
Episode Overview In this Inside the Lane episode, Krista Olien sits down with Bart Christenson, President of The Tire Tag, to discuss a modern approach to parking enforcement that improves compliance while minimizing frustration for both operators and parkers. Bart explains how Tire Tag’s lightweight, self-release immobilization device helps private parking operators achieve significantly higher citation payment rates than traditional paper tickets. The conversation explores how simplicity, customer experience, and operator efficiency have shaped the product’s growth across more than 40 states. From self-release technology to nationwide partnerships and future municipal integrations, this episode provides a practical look at how enforcement technology is evolving. Why This Matters Parking enforcement should encourage compliance without creating unnecessary conflict. Tire Tag demonstrates how simple technology, clear communication, and streamlined payment processes can improve collections, reduce operational burden, and help parkers resolve violations quickly. What You’ll Learn How Tire Tag’s self-release immobilization system works Why physical immobilization increases citation payment rates How Tire Tag supports operators, property managers, and asset owners Where the technology works best and how it’s expanding Key Takeaways Simple enforcement creates a better experience for operators and parkers Compliance, not punishment, is the goal of effective enforcement Analog hardware paired with digital payments keeps operations reliable Partnerships and integrations are expanding Tire Tag’s capabilities Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction to Tire Tag 00:20 What Tire Tag does and who it serves 01:05 Improving citation compliance through immobilization 02:20 The self-release customer experience 04:00 Where Tire Tag is used today 05:50 Future growth and municipal integration 06:45 Connectivity, analog technology, and customer support 08:45 Applications beyond passenger vehicles 09:40 Deployment recommendations for operators 11:00 Enforcement partnerships and nationwide coverage 12:00 How to connect with Tire Tag About the Host & Guest Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, leading conversations about innovation, operations, and the future of parking. Bart Christensen President of Tire Tag, a citation management and vehicle immobilization platform helping parking operators improve compliance through self-release enforcement technology. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.
S3 · E18
Jul 23, 2026
12:32
What Parking Leaders Should Demand from Technology Vendors
Episode Overview In this roundtable episode, Krista Olien, Leigh Thomas, and Clyde Wilson reflect on their conversation with Trent Prior, Manager of Business Services for the Town of Victoria Park in Western Australia. The team discusses how customer choice, vendor integration, communication, and strategic planning helped Vic Park modernize its parking program. They also explore why parking leaders should define their operational needs before beginning the RFP process rather than relying on vendors to shape the solution. From building a clear blueprint to setting high expectations, this episode offers practical guidance for municipalities, universities, property owners, and parking managers selecting new technology. Why This Matters Parking technology should solve operational challenges, improve customer experience, and support long-term goals. Too often, organizations select from available products instead of defining what they truly need. This conversation highlights the value of planning, communication, collaboration, and holding vendors accountable. What You’ll Learn Why every parking project should begin with a blueprint How customer choice and vendor integration improve operations What questions to ask technology providers during an RFP Why communication is essential to successful parking leadership Key Takeaways Build the operational plan before selecting technology Technology should adapt to the facility, not the other way around Strong vendor collaboration produces better outcomes Clear communication earns stakeholder support Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and recap 00:40 Customer choice and integration 02:00 Communicating operational needs 07:30 Building a better RFP 11:00 Creating a parking blueprint 15:00 Vendor collaboration and customization 18:00 Communication and leadership 21:00 Lessons from Vic Park 27:00 Presenting to stakeholders 30:00 Closing thoughts About the Hosts Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, leading conversations around strategy, transparency, and the future of parking operations. Leigh Thomas Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, focused on improving operational clarity and performance through data-driven insights. Clyde Wilson Founder of TPN Consulting, bringing over four decades of industry experience and insight into parking operations, contracts, technology, and financial performance. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.
S3 · E17
Jul 16, 2026
25:02
Customer Choice and Smarter Parking with Trent Prior
Episode Overview In this episode, Krista Olien and Leigh Thomas sit down with Trent Prior, Manager of Business Services for the Town of Victoria Park in Western Australia, to discuss innovation, customer choice, and the future of municipal parking. Trent shares how Vic Park transitioned away from cash payments, introduced dual pay by phone platforms, and reduced reliance on parking meters while improving the customer experience. The conversation explores how vendor partnerships, staff buy-in, data, and long-term planning helped modernize the town’s parking program. From payment technology to LPR, occupancy data, and community engagement, this episode offers practical lessons for municipalities looking to improve parking operations. Why This Matters Municipal parking must balance customer service, technology, revenue, and community expectations while making the best use of limited resources. Vic Park demonstrates how data-driven decisions, collaboration, and thoughtful innovation can improve operations while creating a better experience for both staff and parkers. What You’ll Learn Why Vic Park adopted dual pay by phone platforms How staff and vendor buy-in supported major technology changes How LPR and occupancy data improve parking management Why customer choice remains central to the town’s strategy Key Takeaways Innovation succeeds when staff, vendors, and leadership work together Data leads to better decisions than assumptions alone Customer choice can improve adoption of new technology Education-first parking management builds stronger community trust Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and Trent’s background 02:00 Victoria Park and Albany Highway 05:00 Dual pay by phone strategy 07:45 Vendor integration and customer choice 10:30 Measuring success through data 13:00 Staff buy-in and organizational change 17:00 Building a technology roadmap 21:00 Collaboration across Australian municipalities 24:00 Residential permits and transportation goals 29:00 Community response to payment changes 31:00 Using data to guide enforcement and planning 35:00 Parking strategy and community outcomes 39:00 Closing thoughts About the Hosts & Guest Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, leading conversations around strategy, transparency, and the future of parking operations. Leigh Thomas Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, focused on improving operational clarity and performance through data-driven insights. Trent Prior Manager of Business Services for the Town of Victoria Park in Western Australia, leading initiatives in parking technology, customer choice, and municipal parking innovation. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com Follow TPN on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.
S3 · E16
Jul 9, 2026
36:14
Inside The Lane Featuring Truck Parking Club
Episode Overview In this Inside The Lane episode, Leigh Thomas sits down with Evan Shelley, Founder and CEO of Truck Parking Club, to discuss one of transportation’s biggest challenges: the shortage of truck parking in the United States. Evan explains how Truck Parking Club connects drivers, fleet managers, and carriers with property owners who have available parking space. Through its marketplace platform, the company helps drivers find and reserve parking while creating new revenue opportunities for parking operators, warehouses, trucking companies, churches, and other property owners. The conversation explores the truck parking shortage, what makes a property suitable for truck parking, and how underutilized parking assets can generate additional income. Why This Matters There is only one truck parking space available for every eleven trucks operating in the United States. As freight demand continues to grow, drivers need reliable parking options while many property owners have vacant or underused land. This episode highlights how technology can connect those needs and create value for both sides. What You’ll Learn Why truck parking remains a major industry challenge How Truck Parking Club’s marketplace works What types of properties are ideal for truck parking How property owners can create new revenue streams from unused space Key Takeaways Truck parking demand significantly exceeds available supply Underutilized parking assets can often support commercial vehicles Successful truck parking operations do not always require amenities Technology can simplify reservations, payments, reporting, and customer service Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and guest welcome 00:38 The truck parking shortage explained 03:41 Property members and trucker members 05:59 Ideal properties for truck parking 09:29 Monetizing underutilized parking assets 11:33 Amenities and driver expectations 13:42 Getting started with Truck Parking Club 14:43 Closing remarks About the Host & Guest Leigh Thomas Project Manager at TPN Consulting, bringing a data-driven perspective to parking operations, strategy, and industry innovation. Evan Shelley Founder and CEO of Truck Parking Club, a nationwide marketplace helping drivers and property owners solve truck parking challenges while creating new revenue opportunities. Contact the Vendor Website: https://www.truckparkingclub.com Property Owner Information: https://www.addtruckparking.com About Inside The Lane Inside The Lane is a special segment of Our Parking Industry Podcast that highlights vendors, innovators, and organizations serving the parking and transportation industries. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected for more conversations shaping the future of parking and transportation.
S3 · E15
Jun 25, 2026
14:09
Mastering Parking Presentations: Data, Audience, and End Goals
Episode Overview In this follow-up episode, Krista Olien is joined by Clyde Wilson and Leigh Thomas to reflect on their conversation with Brandon Markey, Director of Healthcare Operations at The Car Park. The team revisits Brandon’s insights on luxury customer service, healthcare valet, security awareness, data-driven presentations, and frontline training. From knowing your audience to delivering excellent service in only a few seconds, this conversation explores how parking professionals can improve both customer experience and operational communication. Why This Matters Customer service is becoming more important across every part of parking. Whether a customer is pulling into a hospital valet, calling about an online transaction, or trying to solve a parking issue in real time, the experience matters. This episode reminds listeners that service excellence starts with leadership, training, data, and awareness. What You’ll Learn How Brandon uses data and audience-focused messaging to build effective presentations What hospital valet operations teach the industry about exceptional customer service Why emotional intelligence and situational awareness are critical for frontline employees How leadership behavior influences employee performance and the customer experience Why situational awareness is essential in service environments Key Takeaways Data transforms opinions into fact-based decisions and requests Effective presentations start with the audience and desired outcome Hospital valet demonstrates the highest level of parking customer service Strong leadership and employee support directly shape the customer experience Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and recap of Brandon Markey’s episode 01:30 Developing presentations for the right audience 02:00 Using data to explain pain points 04:00 Preparing facts without over-presenting details 06:30 PAQS and data-driven decision-making 07:30 Luxury customer service in healthcare valet 11:00 Why hospital valet is uniquely challenging 13:00 Hiring and training for high-touch service roles 17:00 Emotional intelligence and service training 18:45 Leadership, respect, and employee culture 24:30 Resources for improving customer service training 26:00 Security, awareness, and reading the customer situation 28:00 Customer service in a digital parking industry 30:00 Final thoughts and practical resources About the Hosts Krista Olien -President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, leading conversations around strategy, transparency, and the future of parking operations Clyde Wilson -Founder of TPN Consulting, bringing over four decades of industry experience and insight into parking operations, contracts, and financial performance Leigh Thomas -Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, focused on improving operational clarity and performance through data-driven insights Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.
S3 · E14
Jun 18, 2026
26:45
Unreasonable Excellence: Redefining Customer Service in Healthcare Parking with Brandon Markey
Episode Overview Customer service is often discussed in parking but rarely defined in a way that changes behavior. In this episode, the TPN team is joined by Brandon Markey, Director of Healthcare Operations at The Car Park, to explore what exceptional service looks like in practice, especially in healthcare environments. Drawing from a background in luxury customer service and security, Brandon explains how small, intentional actions can transform brief interactions into meaningful experiences. From the concept of the “$2 hot dog” to the importance of situational awareness, this conversation challenges operators to rethink how service is delivered in moments that often last less than two minutes. The discussion also explores leadership, training, team culture, and how empowering frontline employees can improve both retention and customer experience. Why This Matters Parking is often the first and last touchpoint in a customer’s journey, particularly in healthcare settings where emotions are high and time is critical. Customers may not remember every detail of their visit, but they will remember how easy or difficult it was to arrive, park, and leave. For operators and asset owners, customer service directly impacts loyalty, reputation, and performance. What You’ll Learn What luxury customer service means in parking How small actions create lasting impressions Why situational awareness is critical for frontline staff How leadership and empowerment improve team performance Key Takeaways Parking interactions may be brief, but they leave lasting impressions Empathy and awareness matter more than scripted interactions Strong leadership shapes customer and employee experiences Small moments of service can have a significant impact Notable Quotes “Luxury is anything that goes beyond what is expected.” “Find the $2 hot dog. Every single day, find a way to go above and beyond.” “We’re not just parking cars. We’re the last step before someone gets care.” Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Introduction and Brandon’s background 02:00 – Defining luxury customer service 07:30 – Creating meaningful customer interactions 10:00 – The “$2 hot dog” philosophy 13:00 – Situational awareness and empathy 18:30 – Building strong teams and reducing turnover 21:30 – Leadership through respect and empowerment 27:30 – Final thoughts on service excellence About the Hosts & Guest This episode features the team from TPN Consulting alongside a special guest: Krista Olien – President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, guiding the conversation with a focus on industry accountability, transparency, and forward-thinking strategy. Leigh Thomas – Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, bringing a structured, analytical perspective to parking performance and strategy. Brandon Markey – Director of Healthcare Operations at The Car Park, specializing in customer experience, team development, and operational excellence in healthcare environments. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode and subscribe to Our Parking Industry Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Stay connected for more conversations shaping the future of parking.
S3 · E13
Jun 11, 2026
29:40
Inside The Lane featuring Daniel & Henry
Episode Overview In this special Inside The Lane episode, Krista Olien sits down with Robert Pohrer, insurance broker at Daniel & Henry Insurance & Risk Management, to discuss his journey from parking operator to insurance specialist serving the parking industry. Robert shares how he grew up in parking, scaled a valet operation from 50 to 250 employees, and transitioned into insurance following the challenges of COVID. Today, he helps parking companies better understand risk, coverage, and long-term strategy through the lens of real operational experience. The conversation explores how insurance can become a strategic tool instead of just another expense. From claims management to captive insurance models, Robert explains how operators can better protect and position their businesses. Why This Matters Insurance is one of the largest and most misunderstood expenses in parking operations. This episode offers a unique perspective from someone who has worked both as an operator and an insurance broker, highlighting how smarter risk management and informed insurance decisions can impact long-term business success. What You’ll Learn How Robert transitioned from parking operator to insurance broker Why parking is often misunderstood as a risk category Different insurance strategies, including self-insurance and captives How claims management impacts long-term costs Key Takeaways Insurance should be treated as a strategic tool, not just a fixed cost Parking is a specialized risk category requiring industry knowledge Strong claims management can lower long-term premiums Captive insurance models are becoming more common in parking Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and guest welcome 00:20 Robert’s background and parking journey 01:45 Transition into insurance and current role 03:00 Insurance types and the “parking insurance playbook” 06:00 Scaling a valet company and managing risk 08:00 Claims management and controlling costs 09:30 Understanding GKL and educating carriers 11:00 Captive insurance and alternative strategies 12:30 Connecting with Robert and Daniel & Henry 14:00 Closing thoughts About the Host & Guest Krista Olien- President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, guiding conversations that highlight the people and ideas shaping the parking industry Robert Pohrer- Insurance broker at Daniel & Henry Insurance & Risk Management, specializing in parking industry coverage with a background as a former parking operator and business owner Contact the Vendor Interested in learning more or working with Daniel & Henry Insurance & Risk Management? Website: https://www.danielandhenry.com Email: rpohrer@danielandhenry.com Phone: 314-486-5724 About Inside The Lane Inside The Lane is a special segment of Our Parking Industry Podcast highlighting vendors and partners serving the parking industry. These short episodes give companies an opportunity to share who they are, what they do, and how they support parking professionals. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com Follow TPN Consulting on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.
S3 · E12
May 28, 2026
14:51
On-Street Parking, Safety, and the Role of Technology 
Episode Overview In this follow-up episode, Krista Olien is joined by Clyde Wilson and Leigh Thomas to reflect on the team’s conversation with Nick Nicholas, a police captain whose role includes municipal parking oversight. The discussion expands on frontline safety, enforcement, situational awareness, and the difficult role parking professionals play in their communities. The team also explores broader challenges in on-street and municipal parking, including technology adoption, revenue capture, customer experience, and the importance of making informed decisions during the RFP process. Why This Matters On-street parking is one of the most visible and emotionally charged areas of the parking industry. For municipalities and universities, parking impacts safety, access, enforcement, revenue, and public perception. Technology can help improve operations, but only when it is selected carefully, managed effectively, and paired with people who understand how to serve the community. What You’ll Learn Why frontline enforcement roles deserve more support How visibility and awareness impact safety and parker confidence Why technology should make people more efficient, not obsolete How LPR and enforcement tools can improve revenue capture Why on-street parking requires a different strategy than garages How municipalities can become better buyers of technology Why RFP research and vendor validation matter Key Takeaways Parking enforcement is difficult public-facing work Frontline visibility can improve safety and customer confidence Technology should support people, not replace them Municipal parking challenges are often operational and internal On-street parking requires strong data and thoughtful management RFP decisions should be based on research, not vendor promises The best technology improves efficiency, revenue, and customer experience Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and recap of Nick Nicholas’ episode 01:30 Frontline safety, enforcement, and respect 03:40 Defining on-street and municipal parking 06:50 Situational awareness and enforcement safety 10:00 Technology, enforcement, and people 15:00 Managing technology for revenue and efficiency 20:00 Internal pressures in municipal parking 24:00 Understanding who parks downtown 27:00 The future of on-street parking 31:30 Becoming better technology buyers 35:30 RFP research and vendor validation About the Hosts Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and host of the podcast, leading conversations around strategy, transparency, and the future of parking operations Leigh Thomas Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, focused on improving operational clarity and performance through data-driven insights Clyde Wilson Founder of TPN Consulting, bringing over four decades of industry experience and insight into parking operations, contracts, and financial performance Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for industry insights, podcast updates, and more.
S3 · E11
May 21, 2026
28:35
Frontline Safety in Parking: A Conversation with Nick Nicholas
Episode Overview In this episode, Leigh Thomas and Trina Tutor sit down with Nick Nicholas, a police captain in Orange County, California, to discuss parking enforcement, frontline safety, public service, and the role parking plays in community life. Nick shares how parking unexpectedly became part of his responsibilities as a police captain and why he has developed a deep respect for the industry. While he may not call himself passionate about parking, he is passionate about protecting the people working on the front lines. The conversation explores situational awareness, de-escalation, wellness, technology, and the importance of treating parking professionals as essential public-facing workers. Why This Matters Parking enforcement staff are often the most visible representatives of a city, campus, hospital, or facility. This episode highlights the safety risks frontline parking professionals face and why training, support, and respect are critical. Parking is more than citations and compliance. It impacts public safety, customer service, accessibility, and quality of life. What You’ll Learn How Nick became responsible for parking operations Why frontline safety deserves more attention Simple situational awareness practices for parking staff How LPR technology can improve safety and workflow Why education-first parking management matters How parking supports downtown vitality and business access Why wellness and resiliency should be part of industry conversations How de-escalation begins with self-control Key Takeaways Frontline parking professionals need better safety training and support Situational awareness can reduce risk in daily interactions Parking staff often serve as ambassadors for their communities Technology supports people, but does not replace them Parking compliance should focus on education before enforcement Wellness and resiliency matter in parking operations No parking violation is worth someone’s personal safety Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and guest welcome 01:00 Nick’s background in policing and parking 04:00 Frontline safety and risks in enforcement 06:30 Situational awareness tips for parking staff 10:30 Nick’s teaching background and learning philosophy 13:00 The complexity of parking management 15:00 Parking staff as community ambassadors 18:00 Virtual permits and customer support 21:30 LPR technology and officer safety 23:00 Why technology does not replace people 25:00 Parking’s role in downtown vitality 27:00 Wellness, resiliency, and mental health 32:30 De-escalation and frontline empowerment 36:30 Managing emotional responses to citations 40:30 Adapting enforcement during peak seasons 43:00 Funny parking stories from the field 45:30 Final thoughts and continuing the conversation About the Hosts & Guest Leigh Thomas Project Manager with a background in mathematics and data analysis, bringing an analytical perspective to parking strategy and performance Trina Tutor Senior Data Analyst at TPN Consulting, focused on parking operations and performance review Nick Nicholas Police captain in Orange County, California, overseeing parking enforcement, permitting, public safety, and frontline staff support Listen & Follow Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Connect with TPN Consulting Visit: https://www.parkingnetwork.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more industry insights and podcast updates.
S3 · E10
May 14, 2026
41:22
Inside The Lane Featuring Valet Parking Pros
Episode Overview In this special Inside The Lane episode, Krista Olien sits down with Jonny Velarde, CEO and co-founder of Valet Parking Pros, to discuss entrepreneurship, private event valet, and the realities of growing a service-based business in the parking industry. Jonny shares how his company, operating in Southern California and Northeast Florida, grew from a family legacy in valet parking. Today, Valet Parking Pros supports private events, shuttle services, and select permanent locations. From weddings and corporate events to restaurants and venues, the company has built a reputation for responsiveness, problem-solving, and reliable service. This vendor spotlight offers a candid look at growth, operational lessons, and the importance of maintaining quality while expanding. Why This Matters Every successful operation must balance service, staffing, relationships, and growth. This episode provides insight into the realities of building a valet and shuttle business while reinforcing a key truth: reputation, responsiveness, and trust separate good operators from great ones. What You’ll Learn How Valet Parking Pros grew from a family foundation What it takes to operate private events and shuttle services Why Southern California is a strong event valet market How the company balances events with ongoing accounts How teams handle unexpected operational challenges Why steady, sustainable growth matters How relationships drive long-term success Key Takeaways The business was built on generational industry knowledge Event valet requires speed, flexibility, and problem-solving Unexpected challenges require strong frontline decision-making Reputation is built by showing up when clients need help Growth should not come at the expense of quality Relationships remain one of the highest ROI investments Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and guest welcome 00:45 Jonny’s background and company overview 02:00 Family roots in valet service 02:45 Private events and market focus 04:00 Current accounts and operations 04:45 Stolen vehicle incident and lessons learned 06:20 Training and verification practices 07:25 Growth strategy and priorities 08:30 How to connect with Valet Parking Pros 09:00 Jonny’s podcast and networking insights 10:40 Closing thoughts About the Host & Guest This Inside The Lane episode features: Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and podcast host, leading conversations that highlight the people and ideas shaping the parking industry Jonny Velarde CEO and co-founder of Valet Parking Pros, a valet and shuttle company serving private events and select locations in Southern California and Northeast Florida About Inside The Lane Inside The Lane is a special segment of Our Parking Industry Podcast that highlights vendors and partners serving the industry. These short episodes give companies an opportunity to share who they are, what they do, and how they support parking professionals. Listen & Follow Catch the full episode and subscribe to Our Parking Industry Podcast on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Stay connected for more conversations shaping the future of parking.
S3 · E9
Apr 23, 2026
11:08
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