34th NRCC Breaks Records – Again!

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The 34th Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC), October 7-9, at the Atlantic City Convention Center showcased a record 420 booths, according to Show Chairman Doug Rieck with the Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ), this year’s host. “We had a number of firsts this year,” said Rieck, “and one of them was topping our 2023 booth count by 34 booths, an all-time record,” he noted.

The annual show also expanded its show floor footprint by adding 30,000 square feet and using 20,000 of that at the 2024 show. “We expanded our footprint into Hall A,” noted Show Facilitator Heather Courtney. “We were currently using 84,000 square feet in Hall B. This year we topped out at 104,000 square feet of exhibits. I couldn’t be happier, and we still have room to grow.”

The square footage expansion is a reflection of the show’s continued growth and attraction to operators in the Northeast, said Rieck. “We are always striving to improve our product for our vendors and attendees,” he said. “This year’s show floor expansion is a testament to the quality of the show we put on and our board’s efforts to continually improve, adjust and listen to our vendors and attendees.”

More Opportunities to Learn
One of the additions to the 2024 NRCC was an “On Your Own” wash tour where attendees could stop at one of eight sites situated along the Garden State Parkway on their way to, or from, the event. A Manager-Only education session facilitated by JoAnna Brandi of JoAnna Brandi & Company was also added to the lineup. “Being able to stop at washes on your way to or from the show was a great added value,” said Rieck. “And, the Manager-Only program with JoAnna was a huge hit attracting more than 100 managers our first year out of the gate. We will continue to evolve that track for our wash managers,” added Rieck.

A highlight of the educational track, however, had to be this year’s Keynote Speaker, according to Education Chairperson, Suzanne Stansbury. “We start before the current show ends researching possible Keynote Speakers,” said Stansbury. “We try to bring in professionals who have a message that can relate to our attendees and how they operate their businesses. This year’s Keynote, Will Guidara, author of “Unreasonable Hospitality,” set a bar it’s going to be challenging to reach. He was nothing short of exceptional.”

Guidara, a renowned restaurateur who rose to fame by taking a middling brasserie in New York City to become the best restaurant in the world, brought his story to life by sharing how he learned to be unreasonable in his pursuit of giving his team and customers more than they expect. “Will was probably the best Keynote Speaker we have ever had,” according to Tom Hoffman, Jr., of Hoffman Car Wash and innovateIT who, in combination with Micrologic, sponsored the speaker. Hoffman introduced him to attendees. “I was just blown away.”

About 2024 NRCC Keynote Speaker Will Guidara

Will Guidara is the author of the national bestseller “UNREASONABLE HOSPITALITY,” which chronicles the lessons in service and leadership he has learned over the course of his career in restaurants.

He is the co-owner of Make It Nice, a hospitality group that currently includes Eleven Madison Park, the NoMad restaurants and Made Nice in New York City. He has been immersed in the restaurant industry since the age of 13 and hails from Sleepy Hollow, NY.

While running Eleven Madison Park, Guidara discovered the remarkable power of giving people more than they expect, and used this idea of Unreasonable Hospitality to turn a struggling two-star brasserie into the #1 restaurant in the world. This radical reinvention was a true partnership between the kitchen and the dining room, creating memorable, over-the-top, bespoke hospitality. Exactly what you want to give your carwash customers!!!

Keynote sponsors

Service is a Superpower: Lessons Learned in a Magic Kingdom

Louie Gravance is a customer service guru and former training designer for Walt Disney World. In his Wednesday seminar he will tell us that the delivery of excellent customer service is transformational; not just for the recipient but for the provider. He will also show us how that can translate into your daily carwash operations. Known as the guy who can make the Disney service concept work outside of Disney, you won’t want to miss what Louie has to share and take that knowledge back to your wash!

To Order Louie’s book click on a link below.