ICA does it again

It’s the annual ‘must-do’ for the carwashing industry. It’s where manufacturers announce, introduce and display their latest innovations as well as the place to let the experts educate you in how to be the best at what you do.

The Car Care World Expo has grown exponentially in both size and offerings over the last 50 years and, though a change in venue doesn’t always bring higher numbers, this year’s show in San Antonio was a tremendous success.

Lower numbers doesn’t mean lower quality
The International Carwash Association (ICA) has reported that attendance for this year’s show at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio reached 8,236, down from last year’s 10, 605, when the show took place in Las Vegas.

That didn’t seem to bother the exhibitors; many of them said that this was definitely a case of quality over quantity.

Changing times
Leadership changed hands again and in-dustry leaders toasted the ICA’s immediate past president, Jimmy Branch, and watched him welcome Jack Anthony of 7 Flags Car Wash as the new president.

In his opening address to the industry, Anthony discussed the recent acquisitions and mergers that have occurred in carwashing.

He touched upon the Coleman-Hanna deal and the fall of Oasis and Monorail but, even with all of this change, he was not alarmed and did not think the industry was at risk.

“Change is good for our industry,” he said.

So, what happened?
For those of you who didn’t attend this year’s event, you missed out on some great educational opportunities, including one that was inspired by Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s Industry Leaders Review lists.

The session was a self-serve forum where car-care pros could ask those who topped PC&D’s lists just how they do good business.

Those who didn’t attend also missed seeing the Jeff Cozzo show recorded live on the show floor.

As always, the Car Care World Expo is the time to recognize the leaders in the industry for their efforts towards technological innovation, helping the community and leading the industry. Those who were recognized include:

• Brian Daigle, PC&D’s Most Valuable Carwasher, accepted by Willimantic Car Wash, Willimantic, CT, Owner Damian Fox.
• Community Service Leadership Award: Michael Mountz of Cloister Car Wash & Lube, Ephrata, PA.
• Association Leadership Award: Dan Palenske, Northwest Auto Wash, Arlington Heights, IL.
• Leadership in Innovation Award: Accepted by Dan Yarusso the on behalf of WashCard Systems, Hugo, MN.
• Industry Leadership Award: Bill Sartor, ICA past president and owner of Quality Car Wash, Inc. in San Antonio.

Distinguished Service Awards went to:

• Mike Black, Valet Auto wash, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
• Randy Coleman, Jim Coleman Company, Houston.
• Paul Fazio, Sonny’s Enterprises, Tamarac, FL.
• Rickard Bailey, Big A Car Wash, Marietta, GA.

To see more of the awards given visit the ICA’s website at www.carcarecentral.com.

If you did miss it…
Don’t worry. The Car Care World Expo 2006 is already in its planning stages and will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas from March 13 – 15, 2006.

This is the annual ‘must-do’ for the carwash industry so, if you didn’t make it out this year, set aside the time for next year. You won’t regret it.