ParkWhiz Mobile topped the navigation category of this year’s NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge. There were some pretty cool companies in the competition (ComVu won the grand prize for an app that lets you BROADCAST video from your cell phone — check them out), and we’re excited to be recognized.

ParkWhiz is a finalist for the 2007 LBS Challenge, sponsored by Navteq. The competition will take place March 26th – March 28th during the CTIA Wireless Conference in Orlando, Florida.

We’re extremely grateful to be selected as a finalist and look forward to showing off the ParkWhiz mobile application.

If you’re in the area or plan to attend the conference and would like to learn more about ParkWhiz, feel free to contact me to arrange a time and meet. I can be reached at (312) 520-1963 or adalal@parkwhiz.com.

…unless I wrote it.

I’d like to clear up a few misconceptions about ParkWhiz.

• ParkWhiz can tell you when street parking is available FALSE! ParkWhiz only searches off-street parking, such as lots, garages, and driveways.
• ParkWhiz is an auction service for parking FALSE! There are no auctions and no bidding on ParkWhiz. Sellers set a price for parking, and that’s how much it costs. If you reserve parking on ParkWhiz, it’s yours; no worrying about being outbid or having your spot swiped.
• ParkWhiz is only available in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York FALSE! Anyone in the US can list parking for rent on ParkWhiz, whether you’re in Portland, OR, or Portland, ME. In the words of Howard Dean, “We’re going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico. We’re going to California and Texas and New York, and we’re going to South Dakota and Oregon and Washington and Michigan… Byaaah!!!”

If you’re not sure, just ask!

After much hard work and a couple false starts, the ParkWhiz Marketplace is now open to the general public. For those that are visiting ParkWhiz for the first time, here’s a quick rundown of what ParkWhiz is:

• A place to find parking. Quickly search our database of thousands of parking spots to find the best parking near your destination. You can reserve parking in advance at select locations.
• A place to sell parking. You could be a parking garage operator with excess space or just an average Joe (or Josephine) that wants to offer up their driveway for parking. ParkWhiz makes it easy to turn your unused parking into cash.
• Free for everyone. It costs nothing to become a ParkWhiz member, whether you’re selling parking or looking for it
• Environmental friendly. Studies have suggested that driving around for parking increases urban traffic congestion by up to 30%, leading to greater emissions and air pollution. By increasing the pool of available parking and helping people park there quickly, we have less traffic circling for parking spaces and cleaner air to breathe in.

On behalf of Aashish and the rest of the ParkWhiz team, welcome. We look forward to solving your parking problems.  If you have any comments or questions, don’t hesitate to email info@parkwhiz.com or call our CEO, Aashish, at (312) 520-1963 during normal business hours.