MSTPA Behind the Curtain
March 10, 2022
by Mike Tudor, President, MSTPA
Pulling off a successful conference is no easy task. Ask any board member of your local, state, or regional parking association and they will tell you that it takes months of work to get it just right. The programming, sponsorships, after hours events and of course location, location, location all must be decided on by an elected board of volunteers who each have full-time jobs to maintain every day. So, how does an association like the Mid-South Transportation and Parking Association (MSTPA) create that perfect event for members to enjoy, learn, fellowship and find real value in? To answer this, we have a few questions for our long time MSTPA advocate, association and event manager Dawn Marti:
Mike: Dawn, how long have you been in the parking industry and what was your first role in parking?
Dawn: 2022 actually marks my 30th year working in the parking industry. I started as the Advertising and Exhibit Manager for the National Parking Association. I remained with NPA for 8 years leaving as their Director of Marketing, overseeing the marketing and sales for the magazine, conference and tradeshow. In 1998 I formed my company, now DCM Management, LLC, and today my team and I manage 11 associations in the parking industry.
Mike: You have been helping MSTPA create a successful conference for 10 years now. Without giving away any trade secrets, what planning must take place in the months leading up to an annual conference?
Dawn: You don’t have enough space for all that! LOL! But seriously, all logistics, educational contents, rates, exhibitor and sponsor management, housing, AV and Set-up are some of the basic areas that have to be put into place 6 months to a year out at a minimum.
Mike: I have always heard that your conferences have the best food! What other “key ingredients” does it take to make a conference successful from an attendee and sponsor point of view?
Dawn: Well food is VERY important. I can’t tell you how many complaints I hear about the lack of attention to this detail at larger national and international shows. For the attendees, I think making everything from check-in at registration to getting to sessions or events seamless and easy is paramount. Wayfinding!! For sponsors, exposure, exposure, exposure. Every time someone addresses the group, as a whole, sponsors must be acknowledged. On signs, screens and in apps.
Mike: Finally, members and sponsors need to know that they are receiving value for the time and money spent at our conference. What key benefits can one expect to walk away from after attending an MSTPA conference?
Dawn: The networking is probably the biggest benefit. Conference attendees come to find solutions to their parking issues and MSTPA not only provides the educational content to further their knowledge, but you also provide ample social time for people to interact. It is during this time you find out what your colleagues are doing and how. When vendors ask me why should I attend, my answer is always the same, you have to come for the people. MSTPA attendees are some of the most engaged attendees out there. They spend a significant amount of time with their vendors.
Mike: Well there you have it! A behind the curtain look at how MSTPA manages to pull off a great conference with the help of Dawn, the board members, our sponsors and of course our members.
MSTPA has worked hard over the past several years to provide an experience from the frontline employee to leadership that will support and encourage them in the industry. This year’s conference on March 15-16, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama is slated to do just that. With frontline training through the IPMI institute to a charrette workshop on long-term maintenance, event operations and the customer experience based on local real applications; MSTPA is providing a unique opportunity for all parking professionals. The work has been done; the programming is ready; now we need you to attend and enjoy. We look forward to seeing you there!
