Educational sessions at the show...can't decide.

[I.B. Washincars]

All my arrangements are made with the exception of registering for the show itself. I can't decide whether to just register for the exhibit hall or get a full access pass. I'm so freaking smart, what's there for me to learn? If I don't go to the sessions I won't get to network (ramble on about how smart I am) as much and could miss out on something. What are you other guys gonna do? I need a nudge, one way or the other.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I bought the full access and will do the same again this year. I'm there Wed-Sat..and you can see pretty much everything on the floor in 2-3 hours, so maybe I'll learn something.

 

[mac]

Well my guess is that all of the sessions are taught by sales people from the manufacturers. That's just the nature of the business. If a session interests you just drop by the booth where that salesman works. There, I just saved you a couple of hundred bucks.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I was leaning more towards the tech/marketing related ones as well as motivational speakers.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I seem to gravitate toward anything self-serve, since that's pretty much all I've known for almost 50 years.

 

[Randy]

I’ve found over the years that the speakers at the conventions know ALMOST! nothing about the car wash industry or about what they are tiring to get across. They have little or no experience in the industry. The management of the conventions are so hungry to get a speaker or someone on a panel they’ll let just about anyone who will volunteer to speak be a speaker. You’ll probably get more good information standing out at the entrance of the convention and talking to the attendees or at the Forum dinner

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I guess that explains why I was asked to be on a panel...:-(

 

[soapy]

If you are on a panel they should comp. your pass. They always have for me when I am on a discussion panel. What panels are you going to be on besides leading the Friday morning prayer?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Not this year, several years back. Probably the reason I haven't been asked since.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I have often preferred sessions run by operators. You may or may not get a good idea attending sessions, but just one can generate huge ROI.

 

[Greg Pack]

I'm not blowing smoke, but as far as self serve and IBA, the information shared on the forum is about as current as it gets. The last ICA self serve forum I attended a couple of years ago was several guys all from the same region, and although solid operators none of them seem to be doing anything groundbreaking.

The express tunnel sector is so fast paced right now I'd be going to every seminar I could if I was in that business. There is a lot of youth and innovation in that sector as everyone is trying to figure out the best way to maximize profit. I would also say that if you are in a market big enough to support a tunnel it would benefit you to attend those seminars, even if you don't plan to build one.