Year in Review

In January when I began this year as International Carwash Association President, I made the statement that "I love washing cars and I love car wash people." Well after a year of traveling, meeting with car wash operators from around the country at regional car wash events and talking to owners, operators and members of the supplier community, I can say, in all good conscience, that I love this industry even more. The folks who work in the car wash industry are some of the smartest, most insightful individuals that you will run across in any industry. They work hard to become a part of the fabric of their communities and by-and-large are simply some of the best people you will ever meet. It has been an honor and a privilege that I will always cherish to serve as the president of your Association.

I believe our passionate board and our energetic staff have continued the tradition of "raising the bar" on every front of International Carwash Association activities.

First, as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Carwash Association, we saw an all time record attendance at the 2004 Car Care World Expo, topping 10,600. Our anniversary video, with operators and manufacturers speaking about family, fun, and hard work in this industry, was just priceless. And being your 50th anniversary President has been just priceless for me.

Secondly, we completed an extensive and "cutting edge" analysis of our trade show. No matter how successful our trade show has been, we are interested in ensuring that we continue to be successful in the future.

We engaged Exhibits Surveys, Inc. to conduct a long overdue study of the satisfaction of attendees and exhibitors. In every aspect of the show, from registration to education, our attendees and exhibitors ranked our show higher than national averages at other shows. Maybe that's why Car Care World Expo has entered the ranks of the largest 100 shows in America.

We also engaged the services of MCG Corporation to measure the behaviors of our "buying" attendees and our "selling" booth personnel. MCG had previously worked in the retail industry…companies like Best Buy. They studied everything from attendee time on the floor, traffic flow, booth layout, carpet color, and engagement between vendors and attendees. Do you remember all the scanning at the doors? That was just a small part; much more was going on behind the scenes. The results of the MCG study and Exhibits Survey are going to help us become an even greater show.

Another dramatically improved event this year was the International Carwash Association sponsored Car Wash Safety Conference. We brought together 73 members of the car wash chemical, car wash equipment supplier and automotive communities in Dearborn, Michigan. Never before have we experienced such a high level of response from the automotive industry. We had to turn attendees away and those that we there were "extremely" interested in continuing contact and interaction. Good work…Joe Ward, Jeff Cozzo and Mark Thorsby!

That meeting was important because it began something that currently does not exist; dialogue among these three fields. I've never seen so many staunch competitors in one room in the name of safety. In a time where technological advances are occurring rapidly, it is important that the professional car care industry welcome communication to both the OEM and suppliers to the automotive manufacturing community. The event provided a forum where ideas could be exchanged for the betterment of a greater cause. Four committees were immediately formed which is indicative of how eager and open the attendees were.

With six years under my belt on this board I've had the privilege of watching the birth of our website and now its rebirth. I believe this rebirth is going to dramatically rewrite the value of this association to our industry. Using the latest in technology our goal is to bring the Car Care World Expo experience to the industry 365 days a year. The gestation will take over a year, so continue to visit www.carcarecentral.com and watch the changes.

The past year has seen a lot of innovation and I forecast more growth and development in the years to come. Car wash operators and manufacturers are going to continue attempts to make this industry better. As I near the end of my term as President, I ask you to make an investment in the future of our industry. Remember that I got my start in car washing as a kid carrying the pull chains from the back of my dad's operation to the front, after a vehicle had run through the conveyor. Is there someone in your operation or a member of your family that is cleaning up your lot or drying your towels who seems to show a special spark of potential? Take them to the "Greatest Car Wash Show on Earth" and maybe that circus-like amazement will spark a new car wash industry leader.

I love washing cars and I love car wash people,

Jimmy Branch