
As EXPERIENCE SCWA 2010 was
coming to a close my mind was rushing
back over the just completed three
days exchanging new ideas, visiting all
the great exhibitors, hearing outstanding
speakers in the Car Wash Academy, seeing
old friends and meeting new friends.
As promoted, the SCWA Convention& Car Wash EXPO was three powerful
days and a true EXPERIENCE. I hope
you had the opportunity to join us in
Arlington. If you were not able to attend, you may check out
all the activities and pictures on the SCWA website by clicking
on the “2010 Convention in Review.”
As the new SCWA President, I was excited to read all the
positive evaluations and even more to see the large number
of emails and notes received in the SCWA Headquarters
congratulating SCWA on a successful event. Thank you to
everyone who took the time to provide ideas for next year
and to acknowledge their appreciation for this year.
As I take the reins I have many people to thank. First,
to Immediate Past President Charlie Gates, on behalf of the
entire SCWA family, thank you for your leadership and
dedication to SCWA and the car wash industry. Thank
you for a very successful year as demonstrated by this
Convention. You have left me big shoes to fill.
To all the 2009-2010 Board of Directors, thank you for
your dedication and service this past year. Board members
serve SCWA and the car wash industry by giving of their
time and assuming the financial expenses of their participation.
It is an honor to serve on the Board; however it is also
a sacrifice in terms of time and financial resources.
To the 2010 SCWA Convention Committee and
the Exhibitors Council, thank you for making the 2010
Convention & EXPO the best yet.
To all the exhibitors and sponsors who made a special
commitment to participate in the Convention & EXPO, we
all say “thank you.” The EXPO floor was an active place.
I encourage all our members to check the names of the
exhibitors and sponsors found on page 27 of this issue and
support these companies during the coming year. You will
also be able to find these companies on the SCWA website.
Finally to all those car wash owners and operators who
attended, thank you for your support. I know you found
the Convention & EXPO as helpful and successful as I did.
Now we look to 2010-2011. As I listened to attendees
on the floor of the EXPO and in the educational sessions,
I feel we have turned the corner and 2010 promises to be
good year for the car wash industry. We should all take
the positive lessons and ideas we learned during the convention
and put them into practice this coming year. If we
do not practice what we learn we will miss out on the true
value and benefit of our Convention EXPERIENCE.
One of the things I learned and want to put into practice
this year was in a Car Wash Academy session. “If you
focus on the things that you can’t control, you put yourself
out of control. We must have enough discipline to stay
focused on what we can control so we stay in control.”
I look forward to a great year and serving as your
President.