APPROVED OPERATOR SCHEME IN THE ZONE AT FACILITIES SHOW

This year’s Facilities Show, which took place between May 11th -13th at Birmingham’s NEC, welcomed the first ever Parking Zone hosted by the British Parking Association’s (BPA) Approved Operator Scheme (AOS) and featuring a number of AOS members from across the broad spectrum of private car park management.

The AOS has been created for operators managing private and unregulated car parks and is an industry recognised ‘badge of authenticity’. Supported by a Code of Practice that defines industry good practice, membership of the AOS provides continued access to the DVLA Vehicle Keeper database. A requirement by law states that any company or organisation accessing the database that is not a local authority or government organisation must be a member of an Accredited Trade Association (ATA). The BPA is the first (and currently only) ATA for the parking industry and the DVLA fully support and endorse the Approved Operator Scheme.

A major objective of the Scheme is to encourage landowners to regulate their parking facilities using only Approved Operators. This provides the landowners with assurance that their parking will be managed with a high level of professionalism and good practice.

Scheme members were delighted with the opportunity to exhibit under the banner of the BPA and AOS. G24 said “We found the show to be a resounding success. Our sales team found the environment a great place to meet and speak to key people within the industry. Being part of the Parking Zone was a massive benefit to our company and we look forward to the next event.”

UKPC added “Having exhibited at The Facilities Show for a number of years now, we were pleased with the idea of having a Parking Zone where attendees could visit to discuss all their parking requirements at a ’one stop shop’. The show was extremely successful for us, and interest in the Zone was very high. We were able to meet key decision makers from leading UK organisations and generate a number of quality leads.”

Since the AOS exhibited at the Facilities Show in 2009, membership has grown by 40% and overall awareness has increased dramatically. This is due in part to a promotional campaign highlighting the issue of rogue ‘cowboy clampers’ that the media have delighted in focusing on. Richard Hilton, Acting Head of the AOS and Stuart Harrison of UKPC, reinforced this message by opening the Seminar Theatre sessions on Day 1 at the show with a presentation entitled ‘The Cowboys are Facing Their Alamo’.

The AOS are already looking forward to next year, when the Parking Zone will be return to the NEC with a new and improved stand. If you are an AOS member and are intrested in being part of the Parking Zone in 2011, then please contact Dave Smith, Communications abnd Events Officer, British Parking Association

t: 01444 447316

e: dave.s@britishparking.co.uk