Canadian Parking Association

What Canadian Parking Association does

The Canadian Parking Association (CPA), founded in 1983 and headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, is the only national professional association representing the public parking industry in Canada. It connects parking and mobility professionals across municipalities, hospitals, universities, airports, public parking companies, suppliers, and consultants through a membership-led model governed by an elected Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Carole Whitehorne alongside one additional staff member.

The CPA's product portfolio is built around three pillars: education, content, and convening. Education offerings include the Parking Operations Primer (POP) training program (CA$360 for members / CA$435 for non-members, with a 10% volume discount for 10+ applications) and the Parking Management Certification (PMC). Content assets comprise a bilingual quarterly Parker Magazine, 10 domain-specific Technical Bulletins covering topics from facility design to revenue control, and electronic newsletters. Convening assets include the annual Conference and Trade Show (43rd edition scheduled for Montreal, September 27-30, 2026), regional chapter meetings, and awards programs such as the Ed Keate Award, Ted Seeberg Award, and Innovation in Parking Operations & Programs Award.

Revenue is generated through five streams: membership dues (subscription/recurring), conference delegate registrations and exhibitor/sponsorship fees (transaction), POP and PMC training and certification fees (subscription/recurring), advertising in Parker Magazine, e-newsletters, and the Products and Services Directory (advertising), and a tiered Partnership Program (Champion, Principle, Associate) for suppliers. Distribution is multi-channel, combining self-serve online registration for training, direct sales for sponsorships and advertising, and chapter-based regional engagement. The CPA does not develop proprietary software or AI; technology adoption is surfaced through member recognition rather than internal development.

Name

Canadian Parking Association

Legal name

Canadian Parking Association

Website

https://canadianparking.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Canadian Parking Association is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1983 that connects parking and mobility professionals across Canadian municipalities, hospitals, universities, airports, suppliers, and consultants via membership, training/certification (POP, PMC), publications (Parker Magazine, technical bulletins), awards, and an annual conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Parking Management & Enforcement (Citations, Permits, Compliance) (BPABAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parking Facility Operations (Garages, Lots, On-/Off-Street) (BPABAKAA), Permitting, Validation & Credential Programs (Permits, Passes, Validations) (BPABAKAL)

Keywords

• Parking industry association
• Professional development training
• Parking management certification
• Industry publications content
• Annual conference trade show

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from private and public sector parking professionals including municipalities, hospitals, universities, airports, public parking companies, suppliers, and consultants. Membership provides access to professional development, networking, and resource materials.
2. Conference and Trade Show: Annual conference and trade show held in major Canadian cities. The show is the largest and most important parking event in Canada. Revenue comes from delegate registrations, exhibitor booth fees, and sponsorship opportunities.
3. Training and Certification Programs: Revenue from Parking Operations Primer (POP) training program fees (Members: $360, Non-Members: $435) and Parking Management Certification (PMC). Bulk discounts available for 10+ applications from the same company.
4. Advertising and Media: Suppliers of equipment and services can reach their target market through advertising opportunities in Parker magazine, e-newsletters, conference materials, and the Products and Services Directory.
5. Partnership Program: Partner program with Champion, Principle and Associate levels available for a single annual fee. Benefits include website promotion, social media mentions, conference signage, and booth space at events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Canadian Parking Association is a national non-profit membership association that serves parking and mobility professionals across Canada. It offers member services including the POP training program and PMC certification, the bilingual PARKER Magazine, technical bulletins, an annual conference and trade show, regional chapter meetings, awards programs, and a scholarship program. Membership is open to professionals from municipalities, hospitals, universities, airports, public parking companies, suppliers, and consultants.

Product overview

The Canadian Parking Association is a professional industry association offering a portfolio of member services including professional development, networking, and industry resources. Core offerings include the PARKER Magazine (bilingual quarterly publication), the Parking Operations Primer (POP) training program with certification, the Parking Management Certification (PMC), Technical Bulletins, and the Annual Conference and Trade Show. Additional programs include a Scholarship Program, Awards and Recognition (Ted Seeberg Award, Ed Keate Award, and others), and Regional Chapter Meetings. The association serves parking professionals across municipalities, hospitals, universities, airports, public parking companies, suppliers, and consultants throughout Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PARKER Magazine A bilingual quarterly magazine providing insight into the Canadian parking industry's activities, featuring articles by industry experts covering subjects related to parking, professional achievements, new appointments, and Board/local chapter activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members gain contacts and information, develop relationships, and share information at conferences
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered associate, affiliate and champion.

• FlashParkingassociateGTM or Marketing PartnerFlashParking is listed as a CPA Associate Partner, providing parking technology solutions. The partnership is promoted on the CPA website as a recommended parking technology provider.
• ACT CanadaaffiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerACT Canada (Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada) is listed as an affiliate partner. ACT Canada focuses on sustainable mobility and has collaborated with CPA since 2005 on how parking integrates with sustainable travel modes. Both organizations have held joint conferences, shared speakers, and collaborated on articles.
• GPALs (Global Parking Advocacy Leaders Summit)affiliateStrategic or Co-development PartnerGPALs (Global Parking Advocacy Leaders Summit) is listed as an affiliate. GPALs brings together parking industry leaders through IPI (International Parking & Mobility Institute) meetings and events.
• Parking NetworkaffiliateGTM or Marketing PartnerParking Network is listed as an affiliate partner, providing parking industry news and resources through the network.
• Precise ParkLinkassociateGTM or Marketing PartnerPrecise ParkLink is listed as an exhibitor and sponsor of the 2026 Montreal conference. The company is a major Canadian parking technology provider and supports CPA events.
• Agence de mobilité durable de MontréalchampionStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgence de mobilité durable de Montréal is a premier sponsor of the 2026 Montreal conference. The agency manages parking and mobility for Montreal and is involved in the main plenary session on parking-to-curbside management transformation.
• Easy ParkassociateGTM or Marketing PartnerEasy Park is a sponsor of the 2026 Montreal conference and provides parking services in Canadian cities.
• RJC EngineersassociateGTM or Marketing PartnerRJC Engineers is a sponsor of the 2026 Montreal conference and provides parking structure engineering services across Canada.
• CPA Partnership ProgramchampionStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CPA Partnership Program offers Champion, Principle and Associate levels for a single annual fee. Benefits include website promotion, social media mentions, conference signage, and booth space at events. Partners can apply through the partnership program application.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• European Parking Association (EPA): Pan-European parking industry association coordinating national bodies (similar in role to how CPA serves Canada). Comparable membership, training, conference, and advocacy functions at a continental scale.
• Canadian Parking Foundation: Founded in 1996 by CPA members to advance parking education and knowledge (including the World Parking Symposium). Sister Canadian organization focused on the educational and research mission that complements CPA's trade body role.
• Parking Association of Australia: National Australian parking industry association offering member services, training, and an annual conference. Direct geographic peer to CPA in the Anglosphere market.
• International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPI): The US/global parking and mobility industry association, with parallel mandate of training, certification, advocacy, and annual conference. CPA and IPI are the two largest English-language parking trade associations and jointly participate in GPALs.
• British Parking Association (BPA): The UK parking industry association offering membership, training programs (e.g., Approved Operator Scheme), technical guidance, and the annual Parkex event. Directly comparable to CPA in scope of services and member composition.

Emerging players

• PayByPhone: Mobile parking payments provider with a CPA board seat (Joni Eros). Represents the technology vendor cohort that increasingly participates in (and competes within) CPA's membership ecosystem.
• Precise ParkLink: Major Canadian parking management and technology company; CPA board representation and conference sponsor. Operator-side peer that benefits from CPA's convening role.
• EasyPark Group: Multi-country parking technology and operations provider; CPA board representation and conference sponsor. Comparable operator/technology player engaged in CPA's ecosystem.

Others

• ACT Canada (Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada): CPA affiliate partner focused on sustainable mobility and TDM; has co-hosted conferences and articles with CPA since 2005. Adjacent association with overlapping public-sector membership base.
• Parking Network: Industry media/news network and CPA affiliate partner. Comparable ecosystem participant that provides content and visibility, but operates as a media platform rather than a member-driven trade association.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/canadianparking
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCA2ol1lij4X1rw0Da9Wr4A
• Facebookfacebook.com/canadian-parking-association-173429676044219
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canadian-parking-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canadian Parking Association