Chicago ICA- thoughts on going

[rph9168]

That would be a great cruise. I'm in if it ever happens.

 

[cwguy.com]

Randy is a quick study. This is there new master plan. I think it is terrible for the local associations but brilliant for the ica.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

The Netherlands, sounds like a good trip. I like your cruise idea would have to be on a real warm month to go to alaska.
I hope the regional shows stay strong.
Here is another show to think about for next year

http://www.acwa.net.au/conv_attend.htm

 

[Earl Weiss]

Well, I guess I am one of the few forum members who will attend, but then I have a cheap room available.

I will not go to any educational sessions. They do not appeal to me. Looks like lots of buzzwords and goobledygook. Lots of experts with no car wash knowledge.

I'd like to see sessions like: How employees steal from you.
How to get the word out on a new operation quickly without spending too much.

Pay Vacs versus free versus central vacs versus stand alone.

Supposedly the unionshave relaxed rules due to shows like the ICA staying away. I'll ask some exhibitors I know what their feeling was after the show.

 

[ToFarGone]

I am glad a few others feel the same, I thought i was the only negative soul that couldn't stand Chicago. With my 60 some days below zero this winter, I thought I might be just getting a bad attitude..OK I do have a slightly bad attitude. But, I would love to go to San Antonio , Orlando, or Vegas. It also looks like it will be at the busiest time for washing cars, if spring gets here. We all then need to go and support our regional shows. For me it is the Heartland show in Des Moines Iowa at the end of April.

Love the HCA...gets better every year. I like the round table discussions too. Lots of info shared and I can say I learn somethingn every year. Thanks for mentioning this event!

 

[rph9168]

Having been in the business for almost 35 years now I hate to say this but I think the ICA is rapidly becoming irrelevant for most operators. I believe they have lost touch with the reality of running a wash. The self service community has become ignored in the last years. A good example of the growing irrelevance is the elimination of round tables. I found those to be very informative and a good place for operators to share ideas and ask questions about how to do things the right way. Another is having the Show in a location like Chicago that has proven to be a loser both for exhibitors and attendees alike due to the money required to attend. It is fine to have a speaker at the opening but seems as though that gets to be a rather expensive proposition with some of the choices recently made. I think the regionals have the opportunity to become much more relevant. Most attendees are from the area so they have many common concerns. The cost to attend is more in line and as mentioned before, most of the same companies exhibit there as at the ICA Show. Some might say that how the ICA is becoming is representative of the changing nature of the business. While that might be partially the case for the ICA to continue to be useful to operators and manufacturers it needs to maintain relevance to the people in the trenches - the operators.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Luv the so called experts who keynote. At least the Kinko's guy talked about his experiences instead of trying to pretend that he knew about the car wash business. If the Speaker autored a book I always tried to read it ahead of time.

One of the keynote Speakers, chip Bell wrote "Beep Beep, competing in the age of the road runner". A couple examples he used of fast moving adapatable company models were Enron and Worldcom. I wonder if later editions eliminated those examples.

 

[rph9168]

Exactly my point Earl. It's either that or some sports figure giving a pep talk on teamwork or relating stories of their conquests. Where's the speaker that can actually relate to the concerns and needs of operators and manufacturers. If one needs inspirational speakers they can buy some cd's. The ICA is trying to act more like a huge corporate entity than serving the needs of their members.

 

[cwguy.com]

How to get the word out on a new operation quickly without spending too much.

I was part of a session about using social media and the web to get your company out there.... scary I know!
I was actually surprised how many car washes used twitter and facebook..... but the session probably just drew those people.

You know I'm legit because I have a website! cwwebsite.com
So lets talk! JK I do have some ideas I was thinking up for a client though.... what about qr tags?

 

[CleanWD]

Agree the Regional shows are great for us especially the SW, NE and the SE. We are kinda skeptical about this year for ICA being that the cost is around double. Not to mention the weather. It will either be a hit or a miss for most of us vendors.

The ICA has talked about regionals for a long time. Probably more as a source of additional income rather than helping the car wash industry. As someone else pointed out - most of the companies that exhibit at the ICA Show are also at the regionals association shows. Usually a much better bang for your buck at a regional than at the ICA Show.

 

[Eric H]

I was part of a session about using social media and the web to get your company out there.... scary I know!
I was actually surprised how many car washes used twitter and facebook..... but the session probably just drew those people.

You know I'm legit because I have a website! cwwebsite.com
So lets talk! JK I do have some ideas I was thinking up for a client though.... what about qr tags?

Are QR tags still being used? They seemed like a really cool idea (local guy had a huge one on the back of his landscape truck) but didn't seem to catch on. I can't even use them because I have an "old fashion" cell phone that won't die/can't kill it.

Back on topic: The fact that the ICA has not chimed in on this discussion is further proof that they are not in tune with the Auto Care Forum members . One could argue that this forum has a greater impact on the industry than any association. Bill P was often treated like the red headed step child by the ICA.

I would think that ICA would have a person that monitors their web presence. How is it that if you whisper "Ginsan" in the darkest corner of this forum suddenly Dan K pops up with a response? (Kris Oliver At PDQ is also pretty good at being involved here) We have a 3 page post about the ICA, yet all I hear is crickets!

I think I just talked myself into attending the Northeast Regional Convention this year. RIP ICA.

 

[CleanWD]

The North East Regional always has a good turnout. The hotel has Built or had renovated 2 towers with very nice rooms. Oh and the show is in the Taj Mahal and they just built a new scores gentlemen club on the second floor. .

Are QR tags still being used? They seemed like a really cool idea (local guy had a huge one on the back of his landscape truck) but didn't seem to catch on. I can't even use them because I have an "old fashion" cell phone that won't die/can't kill it.

Back on topic: The fact that the ICA has not chimed in on this discussion is further proof that they are not in tune with the Auto Care Forum members . One could argue that this forum has a greater impact on the industry than any association. Bill P was often treated like the red headed step child by the ICA.

I would think that ICA would have a person that monitors their web presence. How is it that if you whisper "Ginsan" in the darkest corner of this forum suddenly Dan K pops up with a response? (Kris Oliver At PDQ is also pretty good at being involved here) We have a 3 page post about the ICA, yet all I hear is crickets!

I think I just talked myself into attending the Northeast Regional Convention this year. RIP ICA.

 

[rph9168]

I really like the cruise idea but it but it doesn't seem practical. I wonder if Jackson would be interested in holding a Forum members gathering maybe for a long weekend at a centralized location. Might even get some of the advertisers on the Forum to sponsor some of it. Many hotels will even give you special rates and meeting room space for small groups. The Forum dinners have always been great but it would be nice to have a longer time together to discuss common issues and to get to know each other better.

 

[cwguy.com]

I think the main difference is with the speakers.... secwa did do 2 Disney seminars last meeting that cost $18k.... Which is not normal. But the ica drops way more money on speakers and does have a quality educational agenda. It's also top notch with the handout books and everything. The social aspect of the ica is lacking for sure though. I believe the focus is more big business. I also believed they changed there water saver program to reflect that?

rph9168.... if everyone is trying to have a meet up just pick a regional association and use there hotel booking power? Also secwa is planing on going on a cruise.... Other associations will also.

Are QR tags still being used? They seemed like a really cool idea (local guy had a huge one on the back of his landscape truck) but didn't seem to catch on. I can't even use them because I have an "old fashion" cell phone that won't die/can't kill it.

Well it should be! I don't see it in advertising either (buildings or signs)? I was also thinking about the b/w ms tag. I wanted something I could cut with my vinyl printer. It should help people get to super long web addresses everyone seems to have.

 

[JacksonV]

You may be onto something - let me give this some thought.

 

[rph9168]

Eric, the problem with having a gathering at a regional is that there are so many other things going that it is difficult to set aside a significant amount of time where all can attend. We even have problems will all Forum members being to attend just a dinner. Let's see what Jackson can come up with that will enable us to have some time to meet and maybe a little fun together as well.

 

[cwguy.com]

rph9168, that is why I don't think it would work self organized. But I was just talking about using there room rates or cruise rates. But that is why I suggested any regional association. Any association will be able to negotiate a better room rate. Also if two people want to show up the forum show is still on.

 

[rph9168]

You don't have to be an association to negotiate a lower room rate. I have done it guaranteeing only a few rooms. You just have to guarantee a certain number of rooms. While we probably couldn't get the same rate as a large association depending on when and where the meeting would be held a pretty good rate would probably be available.

 

[Mr. Clean]

Skipped Vegas last year in favor of Chicago, but expected a later date, both for better weather and less fear of being away during busy times at home. The host hotel was extremely expensive so I booked downtown early through Hotels.com. Tried to shorten the trip by a day and they actually wanted to charge $100 more for shorter stay, so I guess it was a good price. Never found Vegas to be a bargain. Maybe this will give a new perspective.
Looking forward to some serious shopping at the show. Hopefully, the wife won't try to match it in the Dept. stores.
Will let you know how it goes.
MC

 

[Whale of a Wash]

http://www.themagnificentmile.com/

Mr clean this should help your wife out. Las vegas copied it at the aladdin with their miracle mile.