The world’s largest car wash convention and trade show drew 5,900 industry professionals to Las Vegas April 22 -24 for three days of learning, networking and business growth.

The Car Wash Show^™ 2013, presented by the International Carwash Association^®, saw steady traffic among the 305 exhibiting companies on the show floor, and also saw a 12 percent increase in the number of people taking advantage of education sessions focusing on operations, business management, and marketing and brand strategy.

“The level of engagement from car wash owners and operators at The Car Wash Show 2013 was phenomenal,” said Eric Wulf, CEO of the International Carwash Association. “To see these business owners invest in learning about social media, healthcare reform, employee management and ways to provide the best customer experience — as well as the equipment and supplies they need — is a promising indicator for the industry’s continued steady growth. And the International Carwash Association is proud to play a part in delivering this knowledge.”

For Julie Petty of PRIMA2, there was immense value in the education sessions offered. “I got a lot of great tips I can take and apply immediately and some long-term things to think about how to really drive my business. It was great,” she said.

“We are also proud to offer suppliers and distributors the leading platform for connecting with customers,” Wulf continued. “The Car Wash Show sets many of these exhibiting companies up for their year of sales, providing one central location where they can meet owners and operators from all over and demonstrate the value of their products and services.”

Indicators of industry growth also included the New Investor Seminar, held just before the start of The Car Wash Show. More than twice the number of potential investors as last year attended this half-day seminar designed to provide them with the tools and resources they need to become car wash owners and operators.

“If you haven’t built a car wash yet, it’s excellent information,” said Linda Hersh of Keep It Clean Lube and Wash. “I wish I would have come before I built my wash, but whether you’re just starting out trying to line things up or you just purchased one, there are lots of great ideas and great information.

Not to be forgotten among the highlights of this year’s show was the eminent keynote speaker, entrepreneur and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who left the stage to engage with the audience one-on-one, asking questions about their businesses as he shared his insights into success in the business world and sports arena.

During the general session, the International Carwash Association also inducted Mark Thorsby, its former executive director, into the Car Wash Hall of Fame and shared updates on its Wash Count™ business intelligence program and WaterSavers^® environmental recognition and marketing program.

Thorsby served as executive director for the International Carwash Association from 1994-2009.

“It’s a real honor. It isn’t so much about what I did,” Thorsby said. “So many people in this industry that go to work everyday trying to do better things for their customers, take care of employees, families, giving jobs and livelihood to create prosperity. That group of people came together and made our industry professional.”

“The first tradeshow I attended, there was not carpet in the aisle, and people were wearing cutoffs and tank tops,” said Thorsby. “Today, it’s a professional industry and I think it’s on a trajectory that continues to bode well for the future.”

In 2014, The Car Wash Show moves to Chicago, Ill., to be held March 31 – April 2 at McCormick Place. It will return to Las Vegas again in 2015.