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INTERNATIONAL CARWASH ASSOCIATION

ABOUT US

International Carwash Association (ICA) is the nonprofit organization representing the car wash industry in the United States, and uniting it around the world. Its members own, operate or support nearly every car wash business in dozens of countries. ICA offers the world’s largest car wash events and exhibitions, the leading online manager training program (LEAD™), news and inspiration through CAR WASH Magazine™ and a variety of industry research products (Pulse™).

Individual memberships are available at www.carwash.org/join-ica.

2024 Board of Directors

Marcus Kittrell, President
Partner, Mammoth Holdings
Dave Ellard, Treasurer
Owner, Triple Play Car Wash
Craig Campbell, Vendor VP
GM, Good Sight Australia
Tom Hoffman Jr., Vendor VP
Owner, InnovateIT Car Wash Equipment
Justin Alford, Past President
Owner, Benny's Car Wash
Chris Andersen
Jason Baright
CEO, G&G Industrial Lighting
Mandi Brower
President, Quality Car Wash
Jason Johnson
CEO, Quick Quack Car Wash
Lex Peters
Owner, ANAC Carwash
Keith Lutz
Vice President, Kleen-Rite Corporation
Scott Pashley
Chief Revenue Officer, Everwash
Jesse Wurth
CEO, National Carwash Solutions
Paul Stagg
Owner, Splash Carwash
Mark Tentis
Vice President of Global Sales, OPW Vehicle Wash Systems
Jessica Zazworsky
Owner, Bubble Barn Car Wash

ICA Staff

Shaneen (Shani) Calvo
Director of Media & Editorial
ph: +1.352.443.9984

Dana Cintron
Event Coordinator
ph: +1.312.804.6612

Megan Clark
Vice President, Membership
ph: +1.312.720.2878

Kristen Figliulo
Director of Education
ph: +1.630.363.7015

Jennifer Fitzpatrick
Sales & Support Coordinator
ph: +1.630.815.4805

Elizabeth Hardey
Event Manager
ph: +1.630.479.7135

Kendra Johnson
Vice President, Business Development
ph: +1.815.543.6588

Brennan Merkle
Communications Coordinator
ph: +1.331.457-1109

Claire Moore
Chief Learning Officer
ph: +1.773.415.9628

Annie Prues
Operations Associate
ph: +1.773.495.2321

Kim Vinciguerra
Chief Experience Officer
ph: +1.312.912.2011

Eric Wulf
Chief Executive Officer
ph: +1 312.618.3606

The Origins of Car Washing & History of ICA

While it isn't known when the world's first car wash opened, the concept was certainly in use in the earliest days of the 20th Century. A patent for a "Vehicle-Washer" was filed in 1900 by Skerritt V. Hanley of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the Automobile Laundry Co. (a common term for early car washes) opened in San Francisco, California in 1907. These labor-intensive and mostly manually operated business grew with the automobile industry, and by the 1920s "automobile laundries" and "wash bowls" could be found in cities in the U.S. and Australia.

Most agree that the world's first automatic (fully mechanized) car wash was Paul's Automatic Auto Wash, which opened in Detroit, Michigan USA in 1946, owned by Paul Maranian. The location used the new system designed and constructed by Leo Rousseau, which he marketed under the name "Minit Man." The equipment included a chain conveyor, side brushes, a top brush, vacuums and blowers. The concept was immediately successful, attracting coverage in a September 22, 1947 edition of LIFE Magazine and inciting an explosion in car wash growth.

By the 1950s, as more car wash businesses were opened, operators began to identify a need to network and learn. A new publication, Auto Laundry News, was founded by Robin King, an early car wash pioneer from California. In 1955, he organized for a small group of operators to meet at the Hotel del Prado in Mexico City to organize the "American Auto Laundry Association." (A group using this same name can be found as early as 1933, but little more is known.)  David Lippitt, another operator from California, was elected the first president of the group. The first official convention was held at the Jung Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana USA in 1956. In 1959, William H. Coy was appointed the organization's first Executive Secretary, and the first headquarters was established in Detroit. Robin King assumed the role of Executive Secretary in 1961, moving the headquarters to his home in Mexico City.

By the 1960s, automatic car wash machinery was being widely produced in the United States and Europe to serve the growing car wash industry. Accordingly, and due to the growing prevalence of automation, in 1962 the association was renamed "Automatic Car Wash Association, International." In 1967, the organization appointed R.R. "Gus" Trantham to serve as Executive Secretary, a position he held for more than 25 years. In 1974, the name was changed to International Carwash Association. In 1982, the name was changed to "International Carwash Association / National Carwash Council" to reflect a merger between what were the conveyor/automatic and coin-operated segments of the car wash community. In 1986, the name was simplified once again to International Carwash Association.

Today, ICA is the world's leading community for car wash professionals, with members in all 50 U.S. states and more than two dozen countries. The Car Wash Show has expanded with satellite events in Australia, China and Europe, while also solidifying its position as the car wash industry's most important gathering and one of North America's largest trade shows. The nonprofit organization remains governed by the car wash industry, with 9 retail directors and 7 supplier directors comprising its Board of Directors. ICA is served by a professional staff based in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois USA.