A Wrap Up of T2 Connect 2023 

Every attendee, sponsor, partner, and speaker brought the magic to T2 Connect held in Orlando this year. The halls and sessions sparkled with great energy and excitement for a week to explore all the possibilities of parking, together. From insightful learning sessions to fun networking activities, each moment was a testament to the dedication, passion, and warmheartedness of our T2 community.

“This year’s Connect was awesome,” said Ed Trammell, Lexington Parking Authority. “The attendees were very engaged, and the sessions were well attended. I left the conference with several ideas from peer organizations that I hope to implement within our own.”

We kicked off the week with a zestful, citrus-themed welcome reception that reunited old friends, and forged new ones to come. Attendees dressed their best in punchy tones, shared stories and goals with each other over good food and beverage, and opened their arms up to the newest members of our community and industry.

Spirited music and a dancing alligator can be a tough act to follow, but Adam and Maggie kept the energy high with a warm opening session filled with gratitude and celebration. They highlighted our direction and recent successes, recognized the 125th anniversary of our partner WW&L, thanked the sponsors who made Connect possible, and celebrated those who make a difference in our community. Allentown Parking Authority was awarded T2 Organization of the Year, Brian Favela of The University of South Carolina received The T2 Hero award, and Alex Helfen nabbed the T2 Customer Experience Award. Congratulations to all!

Zack Harmeyer, our Senior VP of Product, followed with an engaging review of our Product Roadmap centered around the release of T2 UNIFI, and invited T2 Product Owners to pitch their new solutions to a panel and audience of sharks. Officer Ricky Bravado returned to the stage this year for funding of his Drip Drop Flop Top Umbrella Hat while newcomer Kip Kasper sought buy-in for his Minneapolis-based Gator Radar application. Other pitches included expansion of T2 Velocity, T2 Tempo, and T2 PARCS PoP, which all won full support from the judges. The Product team also provided exciting updates about T2 Flex, UPsafety PE, T2 Iris, new payment hardware, and Crystal Reports.

Day Two continued with informative training sessions and interactive roundtable discussions led by T2 staff, customer experts, sponsors, and special guest Cindy Campbell of IPMI. “The co-hosted sessions with T2 staff and customers were of great value to me,” said Cynthia Jimenez, City of Houston. “Bringing together [product] knowledge and hands-on-experience is a win-win for everyone.”

After a long day of learning, attendees joined together to give back to the Orlando community by participating in a fun, challenging, and very competitive scavenger hunt. Fifteen teams used their collective brain power, talents, and physical prowess to win children’s books later donated to Central Florida-based Eight Waves organization. Five hundred books were donated and collected at the hunt, and more than $400 raised to benefit the organization and their reading intervention initiative for children.

We concluded the day by celebrating our customers at a luau-themed appreciation party held in SeaWorld, followed by our renowned After-Party. Attendees had a chance to unwind and catch up with colleagues and T2 staff while enjoying hula dance performances, drum beating, and some friendly competition.

Connect came to a close on Thursday afternoon, as sessions wrapped up and exhibitors packed up. “As quickly as it goes by, we are always so grateful to have the time and opportunity to listen more deeply to our customers and learn alongside them,” said Maggie Vercoe. “There’s no better place than Connect to reenergize and inspire ourselves to create a better future in parking, together.” We’re already looking forward to meeting again in Denver, Colorado, next year!

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