Richmond, VA- The City of Richmond's Parking Enterprise Division recently earned status as an Accredited Parking Organization (APO) with Distinction from the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), joining an elite class of the top organizations in the parking, transportation, and mobility industry.

APO is a designation for organizations that recognizes best practices in responsible parking management and operations, customer service, professional development, sustainability and access management, safety, data security and risk management, and more.

"This designation is earned each and every day by the men and women of our Parking Enterprise Division" said Richmond Director of General Services, Gail Johnson. "I have the privilege of witnessing this commitment to excellence firsthand and am thrilled to see their hard work and devotion recognized in such a way."

"This achievement is the top benchmark of success in our industry, and it follows a comprehensive documentation and review process," explained Shawn Conrad, CAE, CEO of the IPMI, the organization that sets the standards for APO Accreditation and Accreditation with Distinction. "Only best-of-class organizations can meet the demanding level of excellence required to gain accreditation."

To earn the APO Accreditation, an organization must demonstrate its commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement by implementing industry best practices. Organizations work with third-party reviewers to organize and present evidence of accomplishment of more than 100 criteria in 14 distinct categories, in addition to 25 required criteria. To earn the next level of accreditation, APO with Distinction, the City of Richmond had to meet more than 60 additional exceptional and progressive best practices across those same categories.

"Parking isn't flashy, but it's vital to our City," said Parking Enterprise Division Deputy Director Lynne Lancaster. "We are proud to have earned this designation and will work, in all ways, to build upon a legacy of best-in-class service for Richmonders and visitors alike."

Pictured: (L to R) Yvette Neville, SP+; Steve Bergin, City of Richmond; Lynne Lancaster, City of Richmond; Gail Johnson, City of Richmond; Justin Rodgers, SP+; Brett Munkel, SP+ are presented the distinction at the annual IPMI meeting in Louisville, KY