Celebrating 10 Years of Champions: Highlights from the 2024 Champions Banquet

Arlington Transportation Partner’s 2024 Champions banquet was one for the books. Hosted at George Mason University’s Mason Square Campus (who are 10-year and Platinum Champions), attendees included Arlington employers, property managers, schools, and County stakeholders. The event served to celebrate the commitment of employers, residential properties, commercial properties, and hotels to providing transportation solutions, amenities, and commuter benefits. In addition to recognizing the 152 Champions participants, ATP also commemorated a decade of the Champions program, with 16 different Champions who have participated since the program’s inception.  

Banquet attendees heard opening remarks from Arlington County Board Chair, Takis Karantonis, and Arlington County Commuter Services’ Assistant Director of Transportation, Sarah Crawford. They reflected on the successes of the Champions program over the years and the positive ways ATP has impacted Arlington County. In addition, they shared how alternative transportation programs will continue to help businesses, families, and employees thrive for the future to come. 

What is the Champions program? 

Champions is an initiative of ATP that provides dedicated support and exclusive perks for properties and companies to enhance transportation benefits, amenities, and programs that help more people travel by walking, biking, public transit, carpooling, vanpooling, and telework. To learn more about Champions, read our Champions 2025 launch blog.  

Keynote Speaker Panel: Success Stories and the Future of Sustainable Transportation 

In celebration of 10 years of Champions, ATP invited four longstanding Champions program participants and industry leaders to share their experiences, advice, and hopes for the future of transportation demand management (TDM) in Arlington. Rita Jensen of VHC Health, Sarah Hatch of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Beverly Kilmer of Escuela Key Elementary, and Kristin Clegg from Dittmar delivered a meaningful discussion about the positive impacts the Champions program has brought to their communities and organizations. Moderated by ATP’s Business Development Manager, Mark Pacumio, the speakers shared best practices for implementing transportation demand management (TDM) strategies and success stories. 

Key takeaways from the panel: 

• ATP’s resources make it easy for businesses to implement TDM initiatives, stay involved in programs, and navigate commuter benefits. 

• ATP can conduct staff and resident commuter surveys that provide insights into commuting behaviors, helping properties tailor transportation offerings to improve satisfaction and retention. 

• Growing demand for bike-friendly amenities like racks, lockers, repair stations, and showers supports sustainable commuting and positions properties as forward-thinking. 

• ATP helps clients complete applications for awards like Bicycle Friendly Business that validate sustainability commitments and serve as marketing tools that attract eco-conscious tenants and employees.  

• Events like Bike to Work Day and National Walking Day foster active commuting and employee engagement. 

• Employee benefits fairs that are attended by ATP promote commuter programs and transportation benefits. 

• Collaboration is key: consistent communication and working together with teams, property managers, and partners ensures success and meaningful impact. 

• TDM strategies contribute to sustainability by reducing carbon footprints and promoting healthier communities. 

The panel concluded with a question about what the panelists hoped for the future. They expressed their excitement about continuing to work with ATP and hoped for even more community programs and events. Panelists also recognized the diversity of the residents and employees in Arlington and were optimistic about working to grow the program and meet the needs of everyone in the county. 

Champions 2025 is Open Now! 

The banquet was not only a great celebration, but also a reminder of how your efforts can have a greater impact on the community and environment. Whether you have been a Champion for 10 years, or are new to partnering with ATP, we can work together to find ways to support your business, property, employees, and residents. Ready to start achieving your goals and become a Champion? Schedule a meeting with your representative to enroll in Champions 2025 or fill out the form on our Champions page below.