The Southwest Car Wash Association’s Annual Convention and Car Wash Expo for 2016 takes place in Arlington, TX, running from Sunday, February 28 through Tuesday, March 1. This year’s expo operates under the banner “Better – Stronger -Together.” Once again the venue for the show is the Arlington Convention Center, while the Sheraton Arlington Hotel acts as headquarter hotel for the event.

The convention kicks off on Sunday with a presentation titled “Creating a Unique Customer Experience.” The educational program on Monday includes State Discussion Tables as well as Fast Track Round Tables that offer attendees the opportunityto circulate among several tables offering 15-minute discussions on a variety of subjects.

Captain Richard Phillips will be the keynote speaker during the General Session on Monday. Phillips became the center of an extraordinary international drama in 2009 when Somali pirates hijacked his ship and captured him. To protect his crew amid the standoff, Phillips offered himself as a hostage. He was saved from near-certain death by the intervention of the U.S. Navy. This historic event was recounted in the movie starring Tom Hanks titled “Captain Phillips.”

On Tuesday, the Car Wash Acadamy presents nine educational sessions — three concurrently running presentations in three different time slots, while the International Detailing Association offers a full morning of instruction.

For the most up-to-date information, visit www.swcarwash.org or call the Southwest Car Wash Association at (800) 440-0644.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
CEO Prespective
• Creating a Unique Customer Experience

2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Exhibits Open

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
State Discussion Tables

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Fast Track Round Tables
• Car Wash Plans
• Renovating/Updating Your Car Wash
• New Employee Regulations
• Financial Planning
• Slash Overhead
• Plus Additional Topics

8:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Car Wash Investors Basics

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Idea Exchange Sessions
• Conveyor/Express
• Self-Serve/In-Bay Automatic
• Lube

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
General Session
• Awards
• Keynote Address —Speaker: Captain Richard Phillips

Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch with Exhibitors

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Exhibits Open

6:30 p.m.
SCWA Celebration Event

TUESDAY, March 1

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Car Wash Acadamy
• Car Wash Safety
• Marketing: New Ideas for a New Marketplace
• Cut Overhead and Save Money

8:00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.
International Detailing Association Education

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Car Wash Acadamy Continued
• Self Serve Maintenance
• How to Reduce Customer Claims
• Financial Planning

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Car Wash Acadamy Continued
• Labor and Hiring A to Z
• Buying or Selling Your Car Wash
• Art of Ticket Writing

12:15 p.m.
Closing Luncheon
• Introduction of 2016-2017 SCWA Officers
• SCWA President’s Report
• SCWA Annual Report
• Door Prizes

* Schedule of events based on information available January 6, 2016. Subject to change. For the latest information, visit www.swcarwash.org.