The European Parking Association Announces its First CO2 Neutral Congress in 2022.

EPA Congress and Exhibition, created by the European Parking Association and hosted by the Belgian Parking Federation, is a 3-day programme in the heart of Europe and welcomes all individuals involved in the parking industry to take part in this year’s theme; “The EU Green Deal and the Future of Parking – Integrated solutions for Dynamic Urban Management.” The registration is now open to delegates, students, POLIS & Local Authorities, and to exhibitors.

Since 1983, the European Parking Association (EPA) has strived to solve challenges related to sustainable mobility, reduce congestion and pollution, and the improvement of accessibility. Their efforts focus on developing cost-effective integrated parking systems to contribute to a sustainable balance and improve the quality of urban living. Over the years, they’ve grown to represent the national associations of 21 countries and their 41 million on- and off-street parking spaces. Every year, professionals and exhibitors in the industry come together for an annual event to discuss the current parking and urban mobility situation in Europe and address urban mobility issues alongside detailed parking matters. This event is usually a pinnacle of the parking industry as about 500 delegates, 50 expert speakers, and 70 exhibitors from 32 countries reconnect, strategize new parking management solutions, and contribute to sustainable urban planning.

In 2021, as Covid-19 overtook the world, it brought down events like this along with it. For the health and safety of their delegates, the EPA Board and the Belgian Parking Federation postponed the 20th edition. But while it’s easy to be distraught by the challenges Covid brought, it enabled the EPA committee to re-assess and revolutionize their event programme. The 20th edition is rescheduled for September 2022 in Brussels, Belgium, and will likely be their most exciting congress yet. The EPA is proud to announce this as their first CO2 neutral event and welcomes all participants interested in transforming the parking industry.

 

Theme and Programme Plan

This year’s theme is “The EU Green Deal and the Future of Parking – Integrated solutions for Dynamic Urban Management”. It will cover various topics led by renowned experts from science, politics and the industry through presentations and panel discussions that inspire new solutions and networking. A Scientific and Technical Committee, STC, has organized the range of topics into 5 major themes – Management of Urban Space, Urban Attractiveness, New Business Models, Parking and Technology, and Influencing Behaviour.

Management of Urban Space

  • Role of parking in mobility after the COVID-crisis
  • Urban space management – parking demand of logistic operators is quite different from parking demand of visitors
  • Curbside management
  • Managing urban space
  • Health and vitality – Other modes of transport (cycling and walking)
  • Proper use of urban space
  • Individual vs collective transport

Urban Attractiveness

  • Economic strategies for urban recovery (Post-Covid)
  • Parking and economic attractiveness of cities (retail, e-commerce)
  • Decline of retail activities in cities /urban attractiveness
  • A New Normal (Post-Covid)

New Business Models

  • New business models for transport operators
  • Future-proof infrastructure – what kind of infrastructure do we need to build?
  • How can we use existing infrastructure differently?
  • New business models for parking (both private and public sector)
  • Logistic facilities in parking structures (garages, P&R, …)
  • Mobility hubs
  • New business models for urban mobility
  • Future of parking infrastructure – what other functions can they have?
  • New role of (off-street) parking in urban areas
  • EV’s charging infrastructure

Parking and Technology

  • MaaS
  • Technology
  • Pre-booking and reservation in parking
  • Parking and Automatization
  • Technology and Digitalization
  • Data Standardization

Influencing Behavior

  • Understanding and influencing customer behaviour

 

Registration and Accommodation

Registration is open and available on our website for delegates, students, police and local authorities, as well as exhibitors. Those who sign up by 25th March get an early bird discount. As an added benefit, delegates can take advantage of discounted room rates in several hotels from Saturday 10th September till Thursday 15th September 2022. These rates are guaranteed until 1st August 2022.

 

Sponsorship Opportunities 

The EPA recognizes that companies have an opportunity to showcase their products and services to a large group of people with like-minded values, which is why they’ve implemented several packages and options to tailor to their needs. Exhibitors can choose between a Standard, Bronze, Silver, Golden or Platinium Exhibition Stand Package to determine their booth sizes. Other options include supporting the Wi-Fi, Conference mobile app, coffee breaks, the welcome reception and gala dinner, and much more. Companies interested in sponsorship and exhibition can utilize the early bird deal by 25th March and save up to 1000 EUR.

 

The European Parking Award

EPA is proud to continue its biyearly tradition of presenting European Parking Awards for excellence in parking. These awards are featured in 5 categories and acknowledge qualitative improvements in public car parking, parking operation and policies contributions, sustainable urban mobility plans, and urban development. Winners of each category will be announced in the event’s closing ceremony.

 

REGISTER NOW

 

Key Dates:

12th to 14th September 2022

Square Brussels Convention Center, Belgium

 

Early Bird Registration Deadline: 25th March

Standard Rate Registration Deadline: 25th July 2022

 

The EPA is looking forward to reconnecting with members and transforming the parking industry together. For more information, visit www.epacongress.eu.