CPA Award!

I'm very excited!  The Canadian Parking Association gave me an award yesterday!

During the parking luncheon yesterday at the annual conference in Edmonton, Alberta they presented me with the Ed Keate Award for outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the parking industry.

And the best part is that I didn’t even have to do anything differently than I’m already doing – talking about parking technology, writing about parking technology, and generally getting excited about parking technology.

During the award presentation I didn’t get a chance to make a speech. That’s probably a good thing 'cuz I was sort of speechless (a distinct rarity for me!). So <ahem, clearing throat> here’s my speech:

First of all, I’m honoured that the CPA would consider me for such an award. There are probably lots of people in parking who deserve recognition for their contributions – so I’m not sure how they picked me. Lottery perhaps?

In terms of acknowledgements I’m not sure that I could even name all the people who, in my past 14 years in parking, have helped make me successful at getting out the parking gospel. Specific acknowledgement would have to go to the following outstanding Canadian parking managers:

• Dave Hill who showed me how to think big (and bigger).
• Chris Stewart who taught me to revere the customer – or else!
• Rickie Pattenden, who helped me understand that parking theory and parking reality rarely meet.
• And finally the late Tom Arnold who showed me the lasting value of a positive word.

There are many, many more friends and customers (and customers who have become friends) who I’m not listing here – including all those south of the 49th parallel whom I work with on a regular basis – who are also deserving of credit.

So, thank you Canadian Parking Association, for considering me for this honour! I hope I can continue to offer the same level of contribution in the future.

When I get back home I'll scan the award and post a copy of it here.

[Updated 9/29/2006:  Here are some photos; click to enlarge.]

Comments

[Rickie Pattenden]

Blake,

Thank you so much for the honorary mention. How well I remember the long late hours you put in pushing out code that would meet the needs of all the picky parking managers; the frantic runs through airports and/or long airport waits for connecting flights; the shoe-string budget and frighteningly low cash flow; the 8-hour drives; and most importantly, your commitment to your customers and your belief that parking management could be made easy and seamless through technology. I had a hunch, in those early days, that I was working with a winner. I was right - and now you have the well-deserved award to prove it!!!

[Valet Parking in Los Angeles]

Congratulations! Hey, check out this website for a parking lot rental service in Los Angeles.

[Carole Whitehorne]

Let me be the first to congratulate you electronically! A more deserving recipient, I cannot imagine. We have all learned so much from you, and appreciate your good natured delivery of some very 'dry topics'.

Oh, and you looked hot in those glasses at the conference celebration on Tuesday!

Keep on....

C