Part of the CCA's mandate is to provide education for operators.
One of the major ways that happens is through sessons at the Carwacs shows in
Toronto and Calgary. As a member of CCA, operators are provided with free passes
to either or boths show, including all the educational seminars.
At the 2009 Toronto show CCA delivered three sessions and participated in a forth with
Fulcurm, publishers of Octane magazine:
Get on Your Game
Want to be at the forefront of the carwash industry? Join industry insiders as they discuss the key trends, issues and challenges facing car wash businesses today. Learn where the industry is going and what can be done to keep ahead of the competition.
- Open panel talk with suppliers and carwash operators;
- Biggest trends:
- Taxes and a how to accommodate change;
- New equipment for efficiencies;
- Differentiate yourself from your competitors;
- Making noise on a budget;
- Research your supplier; and,
- Cost containment though knowledge.
To see the presentation slides click here.
Speakers:
Richard McKinnon, Miami Car Care Center Inc.
Richard created Miami Car Care Centre in 2004 after completing the Business Administration Program at Wilfrid Lauier University in Waterloo. As a Director in charge of the Manufacturing & Engineering Information Technologies for the Steel Wheel Division of a large Truck Wheel Manufacturer, Richard is no stranger to putting business plans together and making them work. He has expertise in advanced technologies which have had to be developed from scratch. After successfully designing, building and opening for business in the fall of 2004, Richard has since left his position as Director and is now a full time carwash guy, and just opened his second operation, a full service carwash in London. Richard is currently the President of the CCA, London Chamber of Commerce, Provincial & Federal Affairs and Municipal Affairs Committee, London Small Business Loans Review Committee and Business Improvement Group Member, International Car Wash Association.
Scott Murray, EZEE CLEAN Car Wash
After completing a business degree from the University of Western Ontario, Scott began a 16 year career in the corporate world with Imperial Tobacco both in Canada and the United States. As General Manager in the USA, Scott used his management and entrepreneurial skills to turn the division into a profitable entity with a focus on consumers' needs. Upon his return to Canada he researched the carwash industry in southern Ontario and subsequently purchased a 3 year old site in 2006, EZEE CLEAN Car Wash. Over the past 4 years Scott has focused his efforts on marketing his site, exceeding his consumers' expectations, assisting the industry with his work on the CCA board, and building a buying group for carwash owners.
Stuart Gunn, Coin Carwash (coincarwash.ca)
Stuart had spent the first 18 years of his career running a successful photography and video production company. After many years of intense work, he decided a changes a new challenge was called for. His master plan was to find a less stressful way to earn a living and not be locked into the daily rat race of running a regular business. This challenge came in the purchase of a 12-bay carwash in the GTA. It took Stuart a few months to really get to understand how all the equipment functioned and how to fix it. After buying his first carwash, Stuart realized the need for improved equipment and decided to build a second carwash using more up-to-date equipment. He spent some time researching locations and equipment to build one from the ground up with all the bells and whistles before finally building it a year ago.
Nathan Ewing, Transchem Inc.
Nathan has been involved in the chemical side of the carwash industry for over 20 years and is currently Vice President & General Manager of Transchem Inc. As a new member of the CCA Board, Nathan is involved with the Environmental Committee, giving him the opportunity to further develop programs to educate consumers, operators and governments as to the benefits of professional carwashing. With Transchem, Nathan has been involved in all aspects of the business including chemical sales and marketing, and appreciates the many relationships developed within the industry.
JJ Woodley, Red Hill Car Wash
JJ started in the carwash industry after completing an honors B.Sc. at University of Louisiana at Monroe. Working for a company that owned 19 coin operated carwashes across Southern Ontario, he was charged with the responsibility of keeping the facilities running. JJ then developed some relationships which lead to his association with a large carwash chemical and equipment supply company. Carwash equipment development and installation then became his focus over the next years. In the Fall of 2006, JJ started his own carwash, which was a long-time dream of his. His experience from 2000 to present as a service technician, equipment installer, equipment developer, equipment sales person, project manager, land developer, carwash owner / operator has given him a broad knowledge of the carwash industry and all aspects involved with getting into the game and staying there.
Seeing Green – What Does it Mean?
Learn about new practices and how incorporating them can save the environment and your business. Hear from industry professionals on by-law updates and recent compliance measures.
- The green mindset;
- Going green, from a chemical point of view;
- Going green, from an equipment point of view;
- Going green, from a signage and lighting point of view;
- Going green, from a water usage point of view;
- Green marketing opportunities; and,
- Green helping the bottom line.
To see the presentation slides click here.
Speakers:
Al MacDonald, Canadian Tire Limited
With 20 years experience in the carwash industry Al has worked in most aspects of the business including market analysis, construction, chemical solutions, network development and marketing. He currently manages the operations of Canadian Tires network of 73 washes. Along with his service as a director of the Canadian Car Wash Association Al also sits as a director of the International Car Wash Association. He has worked extensively on developing Canadian Tire’s carwash green initiatives for which Al has developed a significant amount of expertise on the subject.
Eric Wulf, Executive Director and CEO, International Carwash Association
Eric has more than ten years of association experience, including his previous role as the executive director of a national fraternal organization as well as experience in the financial services, information technology and manufacturing industries. During his time with ICA, he has overseen the successful launch of WaterSavers™ – the industry’s first water usage and quality awareness program for carwash operators and customers. He also led in the creation of the Leadership Summit, an annual gathering of thought leaders focusing on carwashing trends and opportunities with findings that are then published to the industry. Eric has a BA from University of Iowa, a MBA from Union University and holds the Certified Association Executive accreditation from the American Society of Association Executives.
Phil Hughes, Southwest Energy Control Systems of Canada Ltd.
Phil is a trained Electronic Engineering Technologist with a B.A.S. in Management Technologies. He has been with Southwest for 18 years, currently being their Vice president of Sales and Marketing, and has focused on TMS (Triangle MicroSystems) Building Automation/Energy Management for six years. The last year has seen Phil become increasingly involved with LED fixtures. Southwest specializes in small to mid-size buildings for their modular systems, which also have the ability to expand to larger installations as clients needs grow.
Vito Cosentino, Wash N’ Go Carwash
Vito is the past president of the Canadian Carwash Association, as well as being a professional engineer. He owns and operates a self-server carwash in Toronto, with adjoining detailing and laundry services. He also is a consultant to the Carwash industry with regards to design and building construction of carwashes.
Making the Right Connections: Marketing for Success
From HR to PR, find and make connections that work. Join us for this interactive session with CCA’s guest speaker on how to build effective relationships to benefit your business and increase profitability.
- Business focus -- What business are you in?;
- Marketing opportunities;
- Charity Carwashes, does and don’ts;
- Mix of product/service deliveries; and,
- Making it all work together.
To see the presentation slides click here.
Speaker:
Mike Perry, Total Marketing Concepts
Mike has more than 20 years of retail marketing experience. His mission is to assist carwash operators increase their revenues, and build a durable customer base. His first presentation was at the 2002 International Carwash Association Convention and Trade Show, entitled “Marketing Your In-Bay Carwash.” Since then he has become a frequent contributor to several carwash magazines. In the September/October 2009 issue of Convenience and Carwash Canada, he asked a compelling question: “Are You Really In the Car Wash Business?” In 2010, you can read his thought-provoking articles regularly in the most important trade publications, including CSP Magazine, and America’s Car Care Business.