International Carwash Association Appoints Car Wash Market Assessment Task Force

CHICAGO, IL – March 12, 2008 – The Board of Directors of the International Carwash Association today announced the appointment of the Car Wash Market Assessment Task Force. The Task Force is charged with accomplishing the following by May 15, 2008:

1. Assess the current state of the car wash equipment and supply market (buyer/seller marketplace);
2. Examine the International Carwash Association’s strategy for providing a car wash buyer/seller marketplace;
3. Make recommendations to the Board of Directors about how the International Carwash Association can improve its effectiveness in providing a seller/buyer marketplace.

“The Task Force was created in response to discussions with the Exhibitor Show Advisory Committee regarding the changing sales and distribution markets in the professional car wash and related car care industries,” said Neil Hitchcock, President of the International Carwash Association. “We must constantly be assessing the marketplace and what the International Carwash Association can do to provide the best possible marketplace for the industry. Whatever solution is determined will require all parties working together closely as partners. It will be the only way to achieve successful results.”

The fourteen members of the Task Force named today are:

• Frank Lash, Chairman
  Past President, International Carwash Association
  Operator – Car Robics, Inc., Virginia
• Russell Coleman
  Director, International Carwash Association
  Vendor -Jim Coleman Company, Texas
• Mark Curtis
  Director, International Carwash Association
  Operator – Splash Car Washes, Connecticut
• Paul Fazio
  Former Director, International Carwash Association
  Vendor – Sonny’s Enterprises, Florida
• Jeff Gheysens
  Treasurer, International Carwash Association
  Operator – Sparkle Kleen Car Wash, New Jersey
• Carl Howard
  Past President, Southeastern Car Wash Association
  Operator – Autobell Car Wash, North Carolina
• Al Huntington
  Member, Exhibitor Show Advisory Committee
  Vendor – Washworld Systems, Wisconsin
• Tom Lye
  Director, International Carwash Association
  Vendor – Washing Equipment of Texas, Texas
• Lisa Lyons
  Vice President, International Carwash Association
  Operator – Buggy Bath Car Wash, California
• Jeff Maize
  Member, Exhibitor Show Advisory Committee
  Vendor – MacNeil Wash Systems, Ontario, Canada
• Jerry Miller
  Director, International Carwash Association
  Operator – University Car Wash, Texas
• Jerry Nix
  President, Western Carwash Association
  Operator – Speedi Car Wash, Washington
• Laurie Sherman
  Vice President, International Carwash Association
  Vendor – Blendco Systems, Pennsylvania
• Troy Wade
  Member, Exhibitor Show Advisory Committee
  Vendor – Oasis Car Wash Systems, Kansas

“We have assembled a group of some of the brightest minds in the car wash marketplace, people who really understand the forces at play affecting the buying and selling of car wash equipment, products and services,” said Mark Thorsby, Executive Director of the International Carwash Association. “We have a lot of work to do and I look forward to working in a collaborative manner to first assess the status of the marketplace and then recommend improvements that the International Carwash Association can make in its strategies in providing that marketplace. It is a challenging assignment but one we look forward to tackling in partnership with the equipment manufacturers and product and service suppliers!”

About the International Carwash Association
The International Carwash Association is a non-profit trade association serving 3,000 businesses in the United States, Canada and overseas. Membership includes car wash operators, equipment manufacturers, distributors, and related suppliers. International Carwash Association members represent approximately 25,000 car wash and car care locations in North America. To learn more about The International Carwash Association, membership benefits or Car Care World Expo, visit www.carwash.org.

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