Dear CCA Members,

      I am writing this letter feeling very upset, angry , and confused. Winter has just about come and gone, and that means once again our so called “season” is over. I guess the biggest reason why this car wash season was a let down, was that the potential has been there the whole time. What I mean by potential is something that I never thought I could be sick of, THE SNOW. In previous seasons it was the lack of the snow and salt that attributed to a slower car wash season. Now this year it has been the constant snow fall that has deterred our customers to come in and wash. Never the less we as operators, suppliers, and distributors to this industry have shown our resilience in the past, and need to have a positive outlook for the future.

     Anyone that knows me well knows that I always say, “We need to stay busy washing cars all the time.” That means spring, summer, fall, and winter. We need to not only gear up for the winter months, but gear up all the time. I have seen this mistake happen numerous times with many different car wash locations. Operators clean and start to maintain their facility late fall, because the “season” is coming. Then let the facility go during the off times. Well that’s not enough, we need to all become better operators and stay on top of our game all the time. This will allow possible first time customers that visit your facility in an off season to be impressed, and use your service more frequently as the demand increases. Cleanliness of your facility, properly functioning equipment, and a clean car, truck or van as an end result is needed 365 days a year. This constant attention to your facility, and excellent teamwork among your staff will prove to be successful.

     Once again, the trade shows are in our near future. The ICA Car Care World Expo in Orlando is early next month, which I am sure will prove to be an excellent tool for our business once again. For those of us that will not be attending the show in Orlando, 2008 is your lucky year. The MCA/CCA will be co-hosting a show at The Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois on October 19-21, 2008. This event so close to home will allow an entirely new market of operators for our members to meet and discuss issues that are ultimately affecting not only our market, but our whole region. This show will be our chance to get involved in our industry and promote our Chicago area suppliers and operators. We have a tour of unique carwashes planned for the event. If you believe you would like to have your site as a stop on the tour please contact any board member to be considered. Positive feedback and excitement is already being heard from our operators and suppliers about the show. Please ask how you can help and get involved to promote our association.

     As your president I want the CCA to be a tool for your success. This will be my main focus during my term. We need to work together and promote our industry and image in the public eye. With that said , I leave you with good luck and keep washing.

John Imreibe
President