This year is a special one for the ICA. 2014 marks the 100-year anniversary of the car wash industry, which in itself is a pretty surreal thing to consider. For a century, we have had a professional car wash industry. Let that sink in.

Throughout those 100 years, the car wash community has been exactly that, a community. While there are more than 80,000 car wash locations in North America alone, there is a smallness to the industry that’s difficult to replicate.

We see that sense of community and smallness every spring when we get to put on one of the top trade shows in the world. At The Car Wash Show, we experience the excitement and positive energy that comes with assembling thousands of your closest friends for three days of industry commerce, celebration and education.

I hope you’re going to be joining us at this year’s show. If you’ve never been to the show, you’re in for a real treat. And, if you’ve been to a dozen shows, you’re still in for a real treat! Attendees always go home with AT LEAST one new idea — and more than a few new friends.

In this issue of CAR WASH Magazine, you’ll see several advertisements from people who are a big part of the success of the show: our car wash vendor community. Be sure you stop by as many of the booths as you can. You’ll never find a better place to talk to people about professional car washing.

One special group within our vendor community that I want to acknowledge is the first Century Club. We’ve been quietly launching this new member offer over the last few months and have 14 companies who have already joined the exclusive member class. Century Club members display the highest level of support for the car wash industry and receive additional ICA member benefits.

But I digress.

This issue of CAR WASH Magazine will provide you with great airplane reading to and from the show. It’s full of articles that should inspire thought and keep you thinking about the next big thing. This issue focuses on innovation. You’ll see articles on self-driving cars and what that might mean for our industry, insight into the DNA of an innovator, and even an article on the future of biometrics and how you may be able to make payments with your fingerprints.

You’ll also see a photo tour of a car wash in Isle of Sheppey, Kent, U.K., along with our usual array of industry information, professional profiles and a letter from our friend, Champ Savage.

There’s a lot of great content in this issue — it’s the largest issue of the magazine yet.

As always, if there’s something you’d like to see in the magazine, don’t hesitate to let us know. In fact, you should come find me, or one of the other ICA team members, at the show. We’re always looking to connect with new people.