Author: Cameron Callicutt, Dixon Resources Unlimited

‍

There’s a quiet truth in our industry that doesn’t show up in project scopes or conference panels; we rarely talk about our well-being. We engineer parking systems, design mobility plans, and advise on access equity, but we seldom ask if the people powering this work feel energized, connected, or cared for. In a field that thrives on human collaboration and problem-solving, shouldn’t our people, our most critical resource, get more support for staying physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy?

I’ve always believed movement is medicine. For me, fitness isn’t just a hobby; it’s a bridge to community and clarity. I start my mornings in CrossFit or, as we like to call it, “Jazzercise”, alongside colleagues, friends, and even competitors. Whether I’m sparring with a boxing coach, sweating through a spin class, trading Peloton high-fives with my brother two states away, or running with business partners at wildly different paces, fitness has created some of the most honest and lasting connections in my professional life. And I’m not alone.

Wellness is no longer a fringe concept. It’s becoming central to how high-performing individuals structure their lives. It’s how they manage stress, sharpen their minds, and stay present in their work. Across industries, we’re seeing a surge of movement-focused culture: morning yoga at tech summits, executive cycling clubs, 5 Ks built into conference agendas, and fitness festivals. People want more from their careers than titles and contracts; they want vitality, and they want to share it.

So, here’s a question: What would it look like if the parking and mobility industry leaned into that shift?

What if our next conference opened with a sunrise run on the strip, hosted by a few familiar faces in the industry? What if the exhibit hall had a hydration station with electrolyte drinks instead of soda, or recovery snacks instead of pastries? What if we offered 20-minute stretch or breathwork sessions between panels? It doesn’t have to be radical; it just must be intentional. Because let’s be honest, we’re an industry of hustlers and bustlers. We travel constantly, attend back-to-back sessions, network at mixers late into the night, and squeeze in project deadlines from hotel rooms. That lifestyle is powerful, but it’s also depleting without balance.

We can create a future where our conferences inspire ideas and recharge people. We can build spaces where wellness is normalized, not niche. Where getting a workout in before a keynote doesn’t make you the outlier, it makes you one of many. Our networking events can be found on a yoga mat, a hiking trail, or the finish line of a friendly industry 5 K. In doing so, we don’t just take better care of ourselves but build a stronger community. One that’s more resilient, more human, and more in tune with what really keeps us moving. So maybe the next innovation in parking isn't a new sensor or software update. Perhaps it’s recognizing that a stronger industry starts with stronger people.

Let’s start walking the talk. Or better yet, running it.