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.”

read more…..plus more pictures from the show….

Garry Ridge, former WD-40 Chairman and CEO, was named by Inc. Magazine as one of the world’s Top 10 Most Admired CEO’s when he served in that role for 25 years. Ridge, who left the post in 2022, is now spreading his vast knowledge of company culture to audiences throughout the world and will be the 35th Northeast Regional Carwash Convention’s (NRCC) Keynote speaker on Tuesday, October 7, at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

“Garry’s philosophy on company culture is based on Aristotle’s quote, ‘Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work,’” said NRCC Show Co-Chairman Chris Kubarek. “He believes that all leaders, whether you run a corporation or a five-person carwash, can create a workplace where you go to work and make a contribution to something bigger than yourself. He really stresses that learning new things and creating a workplace where your staff feels safe and can contribute their opinions so they in turn feel valued and happy will reflect positively on your bottom line.”

Ridge, the founder and CEO of The Learning Moment, has also co-authored “Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy Called, ‘Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A’” with leadership expert Ken Blanchard. Additionally, he has authored “Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It,” “The Unexpected Learning Moment: Lessons in Leading a Thriving Culture Through Lockdown 2020,” as well as “Tribe Culture: How it Shaped WD-40 Company.”

In addition to his consulting, speaking and coaching business Ridge, 69, is an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program. He is a native of Australia and holds a certificate in Modern Retailing and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.

The WD-40 Company, based in San Diego, CA, is an American manufacturer of household and multi-use products including its signature brand WD-40, as well as 3-In-One Oil, Lava, Spot Shot, X-14 and Carpet Fresh, to name a few. It was originally called the Rocket Chemical Company.