A Journey Through CAPP

It was about 10 years ago when I attended my first parking conference just 6 months on the job. Eventually I found myself volunteering on the Security and Safety Committee for IPMI where I met many amazing parking professionals. Each guiding me on my journey to becoming a parking professional.  Then I saw CAPP on the IPMI website.  What was CAPP? Why should you become a CAPP? I was up for the challenge but as each year passed, I was told, “You don’t need that certification here. What would you use it for? Don’t waste your time you have better things to do. Yet each year I downloaded the paperwork, meticulously completed all the documents and set them on the corner of my desk. CAPP, I was so close, but so far.

Then I joined Southwest Parking and Transportation Association, attended the annual conference on a Warren Reynolds Scholarship and met many more amazing parking professionals. I’d say they were all truly #SWPTAstic. Again, I was encouraged to apply, just go for it! Upon becoming board member that burning desire returned. Covid was a turning point, an opportunity for change. The change came in the form of a new career path with a move to a Municipality. I can say, once you change what and who you surround yourself with you can see where you should be.

First order of business was set a goal. Number one on the list, get CAPP certified.  To become a CAPP or mentoring others who have the desire to succeed, LAZ invited those seeking CAPP to their own “CAPP workshop” meetings where you could ask questions of current CAPPs who freely shared their knowledge. The City of Las Vegas Parking Services hosted a study group dinner where we reviewed sample tests and quizzed each other. IPMI had webinars for those seeking guidance through the CAPP process. Other recently certified CAPP’s shared their experiences and study materials. It was amazing the support we found within our own parking industry networks, acquaintances, vendors, coworkers and friends. I studied everywhere, took my parking books to soccer practices and games.  My “bag of tricks” pretests, books, notes, emails and downloaded information on climate zones and garage maintenance was with me everywhere. Then that faithful day in July 2022 came. The day of the test. The longest day of your parking life! I went an hour early, sat in my car and read through all my notes just one more time before I went into the testing facility. Said a little prayer for good measure and began.

What I can tell you, no matter what you have done at any stage in your career, I guarantee you have learned something about parking. Project management, accounting and budgeting are in every industry. So, you’ve got this. Listening to other’s parking stories and points of view, priceless. Take it all in. Those conversations all came flooding back as I went through each question right down to the last 10 seconds to hit the SUBMIT button. Did I pass? I sure did. Thanks to all the amazing parking professionals who have supported my journey and have had the honor to share my parking life with.

I few weeks later we were at IPMI waiting to check out of our hotel. We were sitting next to a gentleman who was talking about getting his CAPP. I shared the story of my journey and offered to send him the information, pretests, list of book titles and study tricks excited to share what I had learned. Monday morning there was a quick line in my in box from him. Hey, remember me? Looking forward to getting that information from you to begin my CAPP journey. Never give up and always pay it forward!