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Car Wash Trade Show
All about car wash trade showsFor anyone interested in the car wash industry, association sponsored trade shows and conventions offer the best means of learning and perfecting your vocation. Whatever unusual problem or curious situation you may have encountered at your business, the chances are pretty good that someone else has faced it and will be talking about it at a trade show. Traditionally, the most popular topic of discussion has been labor, but lately wash efficiency, going green, site conversions, and business planning in a stalled economy have risen to the fore. Here are some suggestions for attending your next show. Plan your items of interest.
Make a list of specific vendor booths and seminars you want to attend, and look for answers to the problems you want to solve. If you're bringing a group of key personnel, assign tasks to everyone. You may, for example, ask your service tech to find three ways to reduce unexpected closures due to equipment failures. It's a good technique for employees who don't have the gift of gab to fall into a conversation about car washing. If you don't have a real problem per se, instead try to find opportunities for improvement. Make your assignments focus on equipment, procedures, or strategies for improving car counts, service consistency, utility consumption, or customer satisfaction. Stay focused.
Get involved with the discussions that apply to your location. Ask questions and don't hesitate to initiate a conversation about the topics that interest you – it's likely that someone just as interested will be within earshot to offer their experiences as well. If you're with a group, have frequent meetings during the shows to discuss what you've found and how it might be applied when you return. If you're on your own, make some notes and have a meeting with your staff immediately after you get back while everything is still fresh in your mind. Get connected.
Networking provides you with a group of people that share a common interest and who have, collectively, a knowledge base greater than any one person can reasonably expect to have. Before implementing a new idea, bounce some ideas off your peers. They may have some recommendations to improve or simplify your plan. Schedule of Car Wash Trade ShowsJuly 18-19, 2010The Florida Petroleum Marketers and C-Store AssociationOrlando, FLThe 2010 Convention & Sunshine Food and Fuel Expo at the Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando, Florida, will have an expected attendance of 1000+ which will include FPMA members who are petroleum marketers, non-petroleum marketers consisting of supermarkets, superettes and convenience store owners. Also attending will be petroleum fuel suppliers and marketing personnel, representatives from equipment and service companies and other allied businesses. September 1– 2, 2010Southern Convenience Store and Petroleum ShowMacon, GA, Booth #437The Southern Convenience Store and Petroleum Show helps operators connect with new products and services as well as network with peers. www.gacs.com September 12 – 14, 2010Southeast Car Wash Association (SECWA)
2010 ConventionOrlando, FLThe SECWA is a very active car wash advocacy group for the Southeast. The convention features training sessions, a member meeting, as well as equipment & product showcases. www.secwa.org September 14 – 19, 2010AutomechanikaFrankfurt, GermanyAutomechanika is probably the most cosmopolitan trade fair Car washing has to offer. Located in Germany, it supports a broad and eclectic mix of products, services, and lectures that manage to be applicable and interesting to nearly everyone. automechanika.messefrankfurt.com September 20 – 23, 2010Pacific Oil ConferenceReno, NV, Booth #327The POC focuses on petroleum distribution, but is supplemented by broader attention to retail and wholesale markets. If your business operates with multiple verticals, then you're likely to find this expo an informative experience. www.petroshow.com October 4 – 6, 2010Midwest Carwash Association (MCA)
Convention and Trade ShowNovi, MIThe Midwest Carwash Association convention provides car wash operators in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio an opportunity to see the latest technology and developments, and network with other operators and vendors. www.midwestcarwash.com October 5 – 8, 2010National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)
Convention and Trade ShowAtlanta, GA, Booth #245-247The NACS Show is all about providing you and your team with proven ideas and strategies that promote growth, attract customers, build your brand and improve your bottom line. www.nacsonline.com October 11 – 13, 2010Western Carwash Association (WCA)
29th Annual Convention & Trade ShowLas Vegas, NV, Booth 324For nearly 30 years, the WCA has hosted shows dedicated to innovation and evolution of the car wash industry and preparing operators for upcoming changes. www.wcwa.org October 18 – 20, 2010Northeast Car Wash Association (NRCC)
Convention and Trade ShowAtlantic City, NJThe annual NRCC show is a great resource for anyone interested in car wash business development. Seminars not only cover functional techniques in car washing but marketing and customer support as well. www.nrccshow.com March 23 – 24, 2011CARWACS
Convenience U CARWACS Show — TorontoCalgary, CanadaThe Convenience U CARWACS Show returns for its 8th year of providing leading education and the industry’s best trade show for convenience, gas and car wash operators across Canada. www.convenienceu.ca/CA May 2 – 4, 2011International Carwash Association
Car Care World ExpoLas Vegas, NVThe ICA show is our industry's largest convention, with exhibitors and several thousands of attendees from all over the world. www.carwash.org October 19 – 20, 2011CARWACS
Convenience U CARWACS Show — CalgaryCalgary, CanadaThe fourth annual Calgary show shares much in common with its Toronto-based sibling, paying close attention to the changing business environment as well as networking opportunities for the region. www.convenienceu.ca/CA
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