Car Care World Expo Review Part I

Nearly 10,000 car wash operators and suppliers turned out for the International Carwash Association's Car Care World Expo 2003, held May 7-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. Attendance figures were an improvement over last year, but fell short of levels attained at several previous events held in the country's premier gambling destination.

The president of the ICA, Mike Black, presented the State-of-the-Industry address during the Annual Business Meeting and Opening Breakfast on Thursday, May 8. Black expressed confidence in the future of the car care business despite economic uncertainties, corporate scandals, lack of investment capital, and military involvement in the Middle East. He presented car wash operators with five specific challenges:

• Improve business by 10 percent;

• Clean up car wash facilities;

• Have due regard for safety as it relates to employees, customers, and property;

• Conserve and reclaim water;

• Support industry associations.

Organizers split the award presentations in two this year. Following the Annual Business Meeting, the ICA's highest honor, induction into the Car Wash Hall of Fame, was bestowed upon Jim Coleman of Jim Coleman company in Houston, TX. The winners of the Maxi Awards, recognizing achievements in advertising, were also announced:

• Print Category - Valley Car Wash, Rapid City, SD;

• Radio Category - Delta Sonic: Car Wash Systems Inc., Buffalo, NY;

• TV Category - Northern Pride Car Wash, Goshen, IN.

Several other awards were presented during a Leadership Luncheon held on Friday, May 9. These included:

• Mark J. Curtis of Splash Car Wash, Riverside, CT and founder of Wash
USA was presented with the Industry Leadership Award;

• Henry Dubinsky of Waterway Gas & Wash and a past ICA president was presented with the Association Leadership Award.

Car Care World Expo returns to Las Vegas in 2004. For information, contact the International Carwash Association at (888) ICA-8422, (312) 321-5199, or visit www.CarCareCentral.com.