Reflecting on the 2025 SWPTA Conference

Reflecting on the 2025 SWPTA Conference: Learning, Leading, and Connecting

I was grateful for the opportunity to attend this year’s Southwest Parking and Transportation Association (SWPTA) conference. It was an inspiring gathering of professionals dedicated to advancing mobility, sustainability, and innovation across our communities.

Throughout the event, I gained valuable insights into topics that resonate deeply with my work at SDSU, including procurement best practices and leading with empathy. The sessions reinforced how thoughtful leadership and transparent processes can create stronger, more equitable parking and transportation programs.

One of the highlights of my experience was speaking on the Higher Education Panel, where I had the chance to share perspectives on campus mobility challenges and solutions alongside talented colleagues from UT Knoxville and Kansas State. The discussion underscored the importance of collaboration as universities navigate changing travel behaviors, limited resources, and climate commitments. I got a good laugh when Tanara asked her colleagues at UT Knoxville about gathering data about how students select universities - turns out most universities aren't collecting data about how parking/transportation inform this decision.

I returned from the conference energized by new procurement ideas, practical tech tools, and meaningful industry connections. Thank you to SWPTA for hosting such an engaging and supportive event—and for providing scholarship opportunities that make professional development accessible to all. I’m excited to bring what I learned back to SDSU and continue building more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative transportation systems.