International Carwash Association is expanding its event offerings with a new event tailored toward women in the car wash industry.
In 2014, ICA started hosting a reception at The Car Wash Show for Women in Car Wash. And as part of the overall content strategy for CAR WASH Magazine, began incorporating a Women in Car Wash feature profiling high-performing, high-potential women in the industry.
But, the Women in Car Wash session during The Car Wash Show 2018 really solidified the need.
“We held a meeting at The Show to determine whether there was content unique to this special audience – and determined there was a gap waiting to be filled to serve this group in our industry,” said ICA Chief Operating Officer Claire Moore.
According to ICA, the event is specifically for high-performing and high-potential women in the industry and the people who support them. “The event itself will focus on issues and opportunities for women, and creating lasting relationships,” said ICA Vice President of Events Kim Vinciguerra. “But we think it’s important that everyone is part of those conversations, and that those relationships being built aren’t exclusively female.”
The event will feature an educational lineup focused on attracting and retaining women in the car wash industry; communication, body language and gender differences; and mentorship and network building.
“We’re very intentional about the education lineup we’ve put together for this event,” Moore said. “We want to focus on results-based conversations on issues that are impacting women in our industry and create an environment where attendees can lift each other up and feel empowered and encouraged.”
According to Vinciguerra, this event is key to ICA’s event strategy going forward. “We’re constantly evaluating the needs of the people in the industry and looking at ways we can deliver engaging experiences that meet those needs,” she said.
This event is the latest in a string of expanding event offerings from the Association designed to help bring the car wash community together.
The inaugural Women’s Leadership Experience will be held Nov. 14-15 at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel in the heart of Chicago, Ill. Learn more at carwash.org/womensleadershipexperience