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Car Wash Trade Show
All about car wash trade shows
For 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 Shows
March 3 – 4, 2010
CARWACS
Convenience U CARWACS Show — Toronto
Toronto, Canada
Now in its 7th year in Toronto, this show is Eastern Canada's leading annual convention. CARWACS's Toronto expo holds several seminars and offers great tips for developing your business.
www.convenienceu.ca/TO/
Southeast Petro-Food Marketing Expo
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The nation's largest regional petroleum and c-store show continues the spring date started in 2001. Approximately 1500 buyers attended last year from throughout the southeast.
www.sepetro.org/
March 24, 2010
Connecticut Car Wash Association
Mini Expo
Cromwell, Connecticut
Billed as the longest running table top show on the East Coast, the Mini Expo will host more than 40 exhibitors
www.wewashctcars.com
April 14 – 15, 2010
CARWACS
Convenience U CARWACS Show — Calgary
Calgary, Canada
The third 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
April 27, 2010
New England Car Wash Association
Table Top Show
TBD
At this year's Table Top Show, the theme is Green. Exhibitors and discussions will focus on energy efficiency and resource conservation.
www.newenglandcarwash.org
May 11 – 14, 2010
International Carwash Association
Car Care World Expo
Las Vegas, NV
The ICA show is our industry's largest convention, with exhibitors and several thousands of attendees from all over the world.
www.carwash.org
September 12 – 14, 2010
Southeast Car Wash Association
2010 Convention
Orlando, FL
The 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, 2010
Automechanika
Frankfurt, Germany
Automechanika is probably the most cosmopolitan trade fair Carwashing 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, 2010
Pacific Oil Conference
Reno, NV
The 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 18 – 20, 2010
Northeast Car Wash Association
Convention and Trade Show
Atlantic City, NJ
The 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
November 12 – 13, 2010
Western Carwash Association
29th Annual Convention & Trade Show
Las Vegas, NV
For 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
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