Q&A: A sneak peek at The Car Wash Show™ 2018 - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Q&A: A sneak peek at The Car Wash Show™ 2018

What to expect for The Car Wash Show 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kim Vinciguerra, ICAThe Car Wash Show™, presented by the International Carwash Association (ICA), brings together carwash vendors, distributors, owners and operators under one roof to network and learn more about the latest and greatest trends impacting the professional carwash industry.

The ICA, in partnership with the Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) and the Western Carwash Association (WCA), will welcome the professional carwash industry to Las Vegas, Nevada, for The Car Wash Show 2018, which will take place from April 26-28 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

At The Car Wash Show™ 2018, over 70 educational programs will be offered to more than 8,000 attendees who represent nearly 10,000 car care locations around the globe. This year, almost 160,000 net square feet of products and services will be on display at the largest trade show for the professional carwashing industry.

As the carwash industry prepares for this year’s show in Las Vegas, we spoke with Kim Vinciguerra, vice president of events at ICA, to learn more about what the association has planned for the 2018 event and beyond.

In this exclusive Q&A, Vinciguerra shares insight into why owners and operators should attend and what’s new at this year’s show.

PC&D  |  Please provide a brief background of your experience in the carwash industry and with the ICA.

KV  |  I joined ICA as vice president of events in the spring of 2017. It has been an exciting year of making new friends while learning about the industry. I’ve felt the warmth of the ICA community as I’ve met members at various events. Prior to joining ICA, I had more than 20 years in the event industry.

PC&D  |  Each year, this event emphasizes networking and learning. Why are these compelling reasons to attend, and what other benefits come along with attending this show?

KV  |  Over the course of three days, car care professionals have hours to talk with 8,000-plus attendees who are experiencing similar business pain points and navigating through industry challenges. The Car Wash Show attendees are busy, and we want to make sure they receive maximum value while minimizing time away from their companies. And, we think having many like-minded individuals together in a single location — and a trade show floor almost as large as three football fields — is a good way to accomplish that.

Similar to last year, we have categorized our education sessions into six topic areas, ranging from people management to industry trends, and four audiences. Whether you are a multi-site organization or a fast lube operator, we have sessions to fit the needs of all car care
professionals. More choices also mean there are endless opportunities for attendees to calibrate and customize their schedules based on what they feel is important to their companies.

PC&D  |  How has The Car Wash Show changed in recent years, and are attendance and the number of exhibitors growing? If so, what is driving such tremendous interest in this event?

KV  |  Each year, we strive to make The Car Wash Show bigger and better. Last year, 99 percent of exhibitors stated that they are likely or very likely to attend The Car Wash Show 2018. Strong business relationships are established at the show, and these can impact how a company operates for the rest of the year. Because The Car Wash Show consistently delivers value to both attendees and exhibitors, it’s an event that car care professionals cannot afford to miss. More and more owners and operators are electing to bring additional staff to the show; it is a way to develop and grow a well-rounded and informed team.

PC&D  | What new opportunities, technology integrations and experience elements have been added for this year?

KV  |  The Car Wash Show is excited to announce its 2018 keynote speaker is Howie Long, NFL Hall of Famer and former defensive end for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Long is currently best known as in-studio analyst for the Emmy Award-winning FOX NFL Sunday Show. His keynote is sure to be memorable.

New this year, ICA will be streaming live content featuring industry experts and positive stories from throughout the industry. Car Wash News will be live in the ICA Pavilion and streaming live online; it’ll be a fun way to catch up on what you’re missing from the show and catch up with industry leaders and stories you won’t want to miss from The Car Wash Show 2018.

We’ll talk unlimited wash clubs, loyalty programs, marketing, hiring and retaining talent and more. Plus, we’ll hear from the WCA, AOCA, Australian Carwash Association and BOVAG (the Dutch car care association) on their partnerships with ICA and how the partnerships are enabling organizations to do more for the carwash industry.

While not a new initiative for 2018, the official “The Car Wash Show” mobile app and mobile-friendly website are the best ways to stay up-to-date with event activities. Users can get the full service experience by viewing new product offerings, exhibitors, education sessions, sponsor details and trade show floor navigation. The app is available and free for both Android and iPhone users.

The trade show floor is massive this year. You can expect to see the newest technologies and innovations in the industry in action, and with almost160,000 square feet of show floor to walk, pack your comfy shoes.

PC&D  |  What are some of the planned seminars or presentations of this year’s event that you are most looking forward to? Why?

KV  |  While we are excited about the trade show floor, we are equally thrilled about the wealth and diversity of the education sessions. We also have our two seminars. Our Emerging Leaders Seminar is a way to identify those who are excelling in the car care industry and provide them with the resources they need to continue on this path. The New Investor Seminar is crafted specifically for those who are thinking about entering the industry; it offers education on the fundamentals of owning and operating a carwash.

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