The International Carwash Association (ICA), in partnership with the Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) and the Western Carwash Association (WCA), will welcome the professional carwash industry to Nashville, Tennessee, for The Car Wash Show™ 2016, which will take place May 9-11 at the Music City Center.

The event 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.

According to an infographic found on ICA’s website, www.carwash.org, The Car Wash Show is the world’s largest carwash convention and trade show, featuring:

• 10,000 represented carwash locations
• 16-plus hours of face time with over 370 exhibitors
• An estimated 6,000-plus carwash professionals
• More than 35 educational sessions.

As the carwash industry prepares for this year’s show, the Professional Carwashing & Detailing editors spoke with Claire D. Moore, chief operating officer (COO) of ICA, to learn more about what the association has planned for the 2016 event and beyond.

Below is a sampling of this exclusive Q&A, which is featured in PC&D’s Exhibit Product Guide 2016 for this year’s The Car Wash Show.

PC&D: Overall, how will The Car Wash Show 2016 compare to previous events? Are any new additions being offered this year?

CM: To be honest, it will not be easy to beat the energy we had last year in Las Vegas at The Car Wash Show 2015. However, most indications are that the industry hasn’t slowed down, and operators and suppliers ended 2015 with excellent results.

We are excited to hold The Car Wash Show in Nashville at the beautiful, brand new Music City Center, right in the heart of Nashville’s vibrant downtown. We are optimistic for a great event in May and are planning on the largest trade show floor since 2008. We are also excited about our continued partnership with the WCA as well as our new partnership with the AOCA.

PC&D: Since The Car Wash Show 2015, what have been some of the most significant developments and highlights of the association this past year, and why?

CM: First and foremost, our first offering of The Car Wash Show Europe exceeded our expectations. We were honored to play a role in helping the European carwash industry create its own identity and community. There is so much we can all learn from each other, and we look forward to continuing to serve this market in the coming years.

In January, the ICA also launched a new Events Series designed to bring together members of our industry in unique, smaller settings. Building community is so important to our operators, and one of our goals with these events is to strengthen the connections operators have with one other.

PC&D: Why are the educational sessions and the keynote presentation at The Car Wash Show important for owners and operators to attend?

CM: All of the educational programs at The Car Wash Show are designed to provide operators with ideas they can immediately implement after the show that will have an impact on their businesses. Whether you prefer to learn through discussion, lecture or a little bit of both, there is something for everyone in this program.

Our sessions cover all aspects of the management of a carwash and are guaranteed to generate new ideas. I am excited about our extended seminars on Wednesday afternoon (Executive Seminar and Emerging Leaders Seminar), which offer a deep dive into some of the most pressing issues in managing a small business. These interactive workshops are designed to promote in-depth learning as well as to foster a network of committed, like-minded operators.

PC&D: Understandably, attending industry events such as The Car Wash Show 2016 requires investments in time and money. How can attendees best ensure a positive ROI from attending this year’s show?

CM: There are several basics we have shared with attendees over the years — come with a planned schedule, bring business cards, etc. In recent years, we have been seeing a trend of carwash teams gathering each evening or morning to record and discuss what was learned, and to build an evolving game plan for the next day.

Honestly, there is more at the show than one person can digest. Bringing others from your organization and having an organized way to share learning with your employees is the best way to create meaningful ROI.

You can find the entire Q&A with Claire D. Moore here. And, be sure to check out the special section on Carwash.com, www.carwash.com/the-car-wash-show-2016/, for more of the latest news and up-to-date information you need to know for your visit to the Music City for this year’s show.