What National Parking Association does

The National Parking Association (NPA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1951 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., serving as the leading industry body for the North American parking sector, which it sizes at $131 billion. It represents over 100,000 parking professionals across more than 2,500 commercial operations and public organizations, with some sources claiming a 580,000-professional reach. NPA does not develop or sell technology products; instead, it operates a membership-based service portfolio anchored by the Certified Parking Professional (CPP) credential (described as the gold-standard certification), delivered through a proprietary Learning Management System at learning.weareparking.org, plus an annual Convention & Expo, a Winter Leadership Forum for C-suite executives, the Women In Parking (WIP) community, the Parking Consultants Council (founded 1972), and the Parking Industry Institute (PII) scholarship foundation (over $1 million awarded since 1986).

NPA's revenue model is a multi-stream association model: (1) tiered annual membership dues ranging from $80 (student) to $985+ (commercial operators scaled by location count, industry suppliers, public sector), with corporate membership covering all full-time employees; (2) certification and exam fees (e.g., CPP All-In-One Success Kit at $625 members / $1,247 nonmembers, HR Certificate at $150 members / $195 nonmembers, $35 individual webinars or $360 all-access pass); (3) advertising, sponsorship, and exhibit revenue across Parking Magazine, the Annual Convention, Webinars, Innovation Awards, and a tiered Industry Partner program (BEACON/LEADER/INNER CIRCLE); and (4) event registration, bookstore, and proprietary research sales. Content and intelligence assets include Parking Magazine, the annual Parking Pulse Survey, the EY-commissioned Economic Impact Report, EY's Road to Recovery Index, and a PwC-commissioned congestion study. Members receive an estimated $21,000+ of research, white papers, and insights included in dues and pay on average 30% less than nonmembers for programs.

The customer base is segmented vertically: Commercial Parking Operators (largest category, scaled dues), Public Sector/Municipalities ($755), Valet Operators, Industry Suppliers & Technology Providers ($985), Parking Consultants/Architects (PCC, $985), and individual professionals across all sectors. Marketing and engagement are event-driven and community-led: the Annual Convention & Expo is the flagship conversion and retention vehicle; peer networks, councils, committees, WIP, and recognition programs (40 Under 40, Innovation Awards, WIP IMPACT, Best in Parking & Tech) drive year-round renewal. Geographic scope is North America (U.S., Canada primary), with an International membership tier for operators outside North America and forward event bookings into Mexico.

Name

National Parking Association

Legal name

National Parking Association

Website

https://weareparking.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Short description

National Parking Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1951, serving as the leading body for the $131 billion North American parking industry. It offers the CPP certification, advocacy, research, events, and a 2,500+ organization member base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association and Industry Advocacy

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Parking Lots and Garages (81293)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Parking Facility Operations (Garages, Lots, On-/Off-Street) (BPABAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parking & Curbside Management Authorities (Municipal Parking, Permits, Loading Zones) (BPAIALAL), Off-Street Parking Facilities Operations (Garages, Lots, Park-and-Ride) (TLAJAIAB), Shared Parking & Marketplace Platforms (B2B/B2C Space Sharing, Aggregators) (TLAJAIAH), Corporate Parking & Curb Management (Permits, Allocation, Validation) (TLABALAJ)

Keywords

• Parking industry association
• Parking professional certification
• Industry advocacy and education
• Parking operator membership
• Parking industry research

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NPA's primary revenue is annual membership dues from corporate and individual members. Corporate categories include Commercial Operator (dues based on number of locations), Industry Supplier ($985/year), Public sector ($755/year), Valet Operator (based on locations). Individual categories include PCC ($985), Associate ($465), International ($555), Retiree ($105), Student ($80). Membership covers all full-time employees of corporate members.
2. Certification and Exam Fees: NPA generates revenue from its Certified Parking Professional (CPP) program, including exam enrollment and preparation products. The CPP All-In-One Success Kit is $625 for members / $1,247 for nonmembers. CPP Summit On-Demand is $249 for members / $349 for nonmembers. Skills certificate programs (e.g., HR Certificate) are $150 for members / $195 for nonmembers.
3. Advertising, Sponsorship, and Exhibit Revenue: NPA sells advertising in Parking Magazine, the NPA Buyers' Guide, Convention advertising, and the NPA Supplier Finder. Sponsorship opportunities include Annual Convention & Expo, Winter Leadership Forum, Webinars, Innovation Awards, and WIP IMPACT Awards. Exhibit opportunities at the Annual Convention provide additional revenue.
4. Event Registration and Education Programs: NPA charges registration fees for the Annual Convention & Expo, Winter Leadership Forum, CPP Summit, Parking Pro Week, and webinars. Webinars are $35 each for members or $360 for an All-Access Pass (12 webinars). Parking Pro Week is complimentary for all members.
5. Publications, Manuals, and Research Reports: NPA sells books, best-practice manuals, and white papers through the NPA Bookstore. Research reports (Economic Impact Report, Road to Recovery Index) are complimentary for members but available for purchase by nonmembers. NPA members receive more than $21,000 of research, white papers, and insights included in the value of membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The National Parking Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association serving more than 100,000 parking professionals across the public and private parking sector. It provides industry advocacy, professional education, the CAPP certification program, industry research, networking events, and an annual convention/expo. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., NPA acts as the unified voice and resource hub for the U.S. parking industry.

Product overview

The National Parking Association (NPA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association serving as North America's leading parking industry organization. Rather than a single unified software product, NPA offers a portfolio of membership-based services organized around several pillars: professional certification (the CPP Program and CPP Summit), professional development (on-demand webinars, skills certificates such as the Human Resources Certificate, and the Learning Management System at learning.weareparking.org), industry events (the Annual Convention & Expo, Winter Leadership Forum, WIP MONDAY Accelerate, Parking Pro Week, and PCC Meeting), industry research (Parking Pulse Report, Economic Impact Report, Congestion Study, Road to Recovery Index), recognition and awards (Innovation Awards, WIP IMPACT, 40 Under 40, Best in Parking & Tech), and publications (Parking Magazine). NPA also supports the Women In Parking (WIP) initiative and the Parking Industry Institute (PII) scholarship foundation. The CPP Program is the gold-standard certification product, supported by the CPP Study Guide, the CPP Summit & Summer School training series, and the All-In-One Success Kit bundle.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women In Parking (WIP): Women-centric leadership and mentoring program within NPA dedicated to advancing parking professionals.
• Certified Parking Professional (CPP)
• Parking Industry Institute (PII)

Products and services

• CAPP Certification (Certified Administrator of Public Parking) Professional certification program for parking industry professionals, validating competency in parking operations, management, finance, and administration.
• Annual Convention & Expo Annual conference and trade show convening parking operators, technology vendors, municipalities, and industry professionals for networking, education, and product showcasing.
• NPA Membership Tiered membership program giving parking operators, vendors, municipalities, and individual professionals access to advocacy, education, networking, and industry resources.
• Parking Industry Education and Webinars Educational programming delivered online and in-person covering parking operations, technology, customer service, and management best practices.
• Parking Industry Research and Advocacy Industry research, benchmarking data, and policy advocacy conducted on behalf of the parking industry in Washington, D.C.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members receive more than $21,000 of research, white papers, and insights included in the value of membership
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SpotGeniuscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026SpotGenius sponsors the NPA Tech Talk webinar series (e.g., 'From Patrolling to Precision: How AI Is Rewriting Enforcement Efficiency' on August 20, 2026). SpotGenius is a vision AI technology company that serves as 'eyes in the parking lot,' providing advanced analytics and real-time, spot-level parking data. The partnership positions SpotGenius as a thought leader within the NPA member community.
• Alliant Insurance ServicescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Alliant Insurance Services sponsors the NPA Tech Talk webinar series (e.g., October 8, 2026 Tech Talk). Alliant is a leading insurance brokerage and consulting firm serving businesses, institutions, and public entities, providing risk management and insurance solutions for parking organizations.
• TIBA Parking SystemscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026TIBA Parking Systems sponsors the NPA Tech Talk webinar series (November 12, 2026 Tech Talk). TIBA provides parking technology solutions and uses NPA's platform to reach parking industry professionals.
• LAZ ParkingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026LAZ Parking is a BEACON-level 2026 NPA Industry Partner — the highest tier. LAZ Parking is one of the largest parking operators in North America and a flagship sponsor of NPA events and programs throughout the year.
• Metropolis TechnologiescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Metropolis Technologies is a BEACON-level 2026 NPA Industry Partner. Metropolis provides computer vision and checkout-free parking technology, enabling seamless entry and exit at parking facilities without tickets or kiosks.
• Premium ParkingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Premium Parking is a BEACON-level 2026 NPA Industry Partner. Premium Parking is a technology-driven parking operator offering digital payment solutions and parking management services.
• Reimagined ParkingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Reimagined Parking is a BEACON-level 2026 NPA Industry Partner. Led by Roamy Valera (NPA VIP Trustee and Chair of the 75th Anniversary NPA Convention & Expo), Reimagined Parking represents a forward-thinking parking operator committed to industry advancement.
• Flash ParkingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Flash is a LEADER-level 2026 NPA Industry Partner. Flash is a mobility platform company operating more than 17,000 connected locations across North America, providing parking management, EV charging, and digital infrastructure.
• Mobile InfrastructurecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Mobile Infrastructure is a LEADER-level 2026 NPA Industry Partner. President & Co-Founder Stephanie Hogue chairs the Parking ACCELERATE Conference (part of WIP programming) and serves on the WIP Advisory Council.
• Parkway CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Parkway Corporation is an INNER CIRCLE 2026 NPA Industry Partner. Parkway President & CEO Rob Zuritsky serves as NPA Board Chair. Parkway also sponsors the NPA Policy Forum as a Policy Briefing Sponsor.
• SpotHerocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026SpotHero is an INNER CIRCLE 2026 NPA Industry Partner. SpotHero is an online parking reservation marketplace connecting drivers with available parking spaces across North America.
• ABMcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026ABM is an INNER CIRCLE 2026 NPA Industry Partner. ABM is a facilities management company that includes parking operations among its service lines, providing integrated building solutions across commercial properties.
• Denison ParkingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Denison Parking is an INNER CIRCLE 2026 NPA Industry Partner. Denison provides parking management and consulting services.
• HonkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Honk is an INNER CIRCLE 2026 NPA Industry Partner. Honk provides mobile payment technology enabling drivers to pay for parking through a smartphone app.
• JustParkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026JustPark is an INNER CIRCLE 2026 NPA Industry Partner. JustPark is an online parking marketplace operating across the U.S. and internationally.
• TEZ TechnologycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026TEZ Technology is an INNER CIRCLE 2026 NPA Industry Partner. TEZ provides parking technology solutions. COO Maggie Vercoe serves as NPA At Large Board Director.
• Ernst & Young (EY)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026EY conducted the parking industry's first Economic Impact Report and the Road to Recovery Index research for NPA. These are foundational data assets that define the industry's size, employment, and economic contribution.
• PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020NPA commissioned PwC to conduct global research on the intersection of parking and transportation, titled 'An Ecosystem Approach to Reducing Congestion.' This first-of-its-kind study investigates urban transportation ecosystem dynamics.
• U.S. Chamber of CommerceminorOthers · 1 January 2014NPA is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, listed since 2014. This membership provides NPA with access to broader business advocacy resources and signals its status as a legitimate trade association.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI): IPMI is the most direct peer to NPA — both are North American parking trade associations offering certification, education, advocacy, and annual conferences to parking professionals. IPMI's 'mobility' framing overlaps with NPA's remit and the two organizations compete for members, CAPP/CPP credentials, and municipal influence.

Broad incumbents

• American Public Transportation Association (APTA): APTA is the broader US transit and public transportation trade association that overlaps with NPA's public-sector members on issues like multimodal mobility, curb management, and transit-adjacent parking policy. It serves as a broader umbrella where some of NPA's public-sector members also participate.
• Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA): BOMA represents commercial real estate owners and managers, including the building owners whose parking facilities many NPA members operate. It overlaps on policy issues like parking minimums, ADA compliance, and EV charging infrastructure in commercial buildings.
• International Facility Management Association (IFMA): IFMA is the global facility management professional association that includes parking operations as a sub-discipline, providing parallel credentialing (CFM) and education. Its Corporate Facilities Council and credentials overlap with NPA's parking management audience in large enterprises and institutional settings.
• National Association of REITs (Nareit): Nareit represents real estate investment trusts whose properties include parking assets and structured garages. Many NPA operator members serve REIT-owned real estate, making Nareit an adjacent trade association whose policy and capital markets work influences NPA member economics.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The US Chamber of Commerce is the largest US business federation and lists NPA as a member organization. It provides broader business advocacy context and serves as the apex trade association that NPA plugs into for cross-industry policy issues.

Others

• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): NADA is the US automotive dealer trade association that overlaps with NPA on issues like dealership parking, EV charging in dealership contexts, and consumer-facing mobility policy. It serves as a comparable model of a large, mature US trade association with convention-driven GTM.
• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE is the umbrella professional association for the US association industry, providing benchmarking, CAE certification (held by NPA's CEO), and best-practice research. It is a peer at the meta-level — comparing how NPA operates against other US trade associations of similar size.
• National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA): NCSHA is a US trade association of state housing finance agencies, similar in structure to NPA in representing a vertical industry with policy advocacy, research, and annual conferences. Useful as a comparable for trade association operating models and revenue diversification strategies.

Emerging players

• Urban Land Institute (ULI): ULI is a research and education-focused real estate and land use organization whose work on parking, mobility, and curb management overlaps with NPA's public-sector and consultant members. It publishes research and convenes members on urban development topics adjacent to NPA's domain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/National-Parking-Association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 National Parking Association