Glow Express in Matawan
Team in Morganville
Express Auto Spa of Lakewood
Standout Washes, Succulent Lunch
Highlight 23rd Annual Wash Tour
MATAWAN, NJ — The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey’s 23 Annual Carwash Tour, May 29, which started out here, visited three unique locations on a picture-perfect day. A full bus of attendees, sponsored by Motor City Wash Works, first traveled from the Judy Blume Service Area on the Garden State Parkway to Glow Express in Matawan. Owned by Leon Beyder, the 90-foot express featuring MacNeil equipment, 11 Vacutech drops, NCS chemistry and Micrologic controls packed a big punch in a small amount of acreage. With vacs in two locations on the property, the site’s creative layout and colorful design was inspiring and efficient.
Next up was the new Team Car Wash in Morganville. The express exterior with Motor City equipment, Simoniz chemistry, DRB controls and 14 EuroVac drops features an 87-foot STI belt conveyor. Not only is this site eye catching, but it’s packed with innovation and an eye-catching, modern design. The busy site opened in August of 2023 and is owned by Tom Fuller.
The full bus of attendees then broke for an outstanding lunch at Café Luna in Old Bridge. In addition to several appetizers and salad, the group enjoyed pasta and a choice between chicken marsala and salmon before capping off the lunch with Nutella pizza. Lunch was sponsored by NCS.
The last wash on the tour was the all-encompassing Express Auto Spa of Lakewood in Lakewood. The retrofit exterior with four flex-serve bays boasts a 165-foot conveyor equipped by Motor City/Service One Installer, 14 Vacutech drops, a two-bay oil change, NCS chemistry and Micrologic controls. The site is owned by Mark Tarnofsky.
According to CWONJ President, Dino Nicoletta, “I couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome of our tour today. We got to visit some extremely impressive sites and had a lunch you won’t find on many carwash bus tours. Thanks to Motor City and NCS for helping us make this a standout day and another great CWONJ event.”
2024 Carwash of the Year Award
Vendor members can nominate an exceptional site!
Deadline September 1.
This award is based on the following:
New Carwash: Any carwash facility or combination, that has opened for business as a new wash or been substantially rehabbed within two years of the nomination date.
Classic Carwash: Any carwashing facility or combination that has been open for business for more than two years from nominated date.
Purpose: To instill pride in New Jersey carwashes, to promote membership in the CWONJ and to engage our distributor/supplier members.
Nominations: The nominations shall be made by any CWONJ member distributor/supplier. Entries are encouraged regardless of the product being distributed.
Award: The winning facility in each category shall receive a one-year membership in the CWONJ. One of the two categories deemed by the judges as the grand award winner will receive a complimentary two-night stay at the NRCC.
Nominated carwashes must be current members of the CWONJ. Any carwash receiving the award will agree to retain membership in the CWONJ for two years following receipt of the award.
One or both carwashes may be featured on an annual CWONJ bus tour depending on logistics.
Judging: Judging shall be done by a panel of five judges selected by the President of the CWONJ.
Judging Criteria: Quality of service, location aesthetics, financial viability, concept. Each location will be visited by at least one member of the judging panel unannounced.
Each entry should include at least three digital photos to be emailed to suzanne.stansbury@icloud.com for distribution to the judges.
Nominations are due: September 1
The award will be bestowed at the November Membership Meeting.
The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey’s (CWONJ) Fall Membership Meeting
Benny’s Justin Alford
Broad Street Car Wash’s Doug Karvelas, Helen, Justin and Juliet Alford and CWONJ President Dino Nicoletta.
The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey’s (CWONJ) Fall Membership Meeting, November 8, at Suburban Golf Club here featured International Carwash Association (ICA) President and Benny’s Car Wash co-owner Justin Alford. Alford, a third generation carwasher who hails from Baton Rouge, LA, made the trip with his wife Juliet and daughter Helen, a fourth generation carwasher, to speak at the annual meeting attended by 60. “It was an honor to have Justin come to New Jersey and share his family’s incredible and successful carwashing story,” said CWONJ President Dino Nicoletta.
CWONJ Past President Doug Karvelas (center) took guest speaker and ICA President Justin Alford on a tour with some other operators including (L to R) Dino Nicoletta, James Burkhardt, Tom Fuller, Doug Kleeschulte, and New York operators Gary Baright and Tom Hoffman, Jr.
Prior to the annual membership meeting Alford got the opportunity visit some washes in the state. “What a great day,” said Alford. “We were able to visit so many really interesting washes and spend time with some of my carwash friends old and new,” he said. “What a great group of operators.”
Alford, whose grandfather started in the industry in 1951, owns nine Benny’s car washes in the Baton Rouge, LA, market with his father Ben and brother Jason. They run successful conveyor locations with full service, express, oil changes, gas, detail and c-stores. In fact, Benny’s and Innovative Control Systems (ICS), Bethlehem, PA, the event’s hors d’oeuvre sponsor, were instrumental in launching the first express carwash in the US in 2001.
Alford shared his company’s growth and evolution and educated the group on all things Baton Rouge complete with Mardi Gras beads that featured the wash’s mascot. “What a great meeting,” added Nicoletta. “Justin is a true professional and a really outstanding guy.”
Also during the meeting Princeton Public Affairs Group (PPAG) lobbyist Sam Weinstein updated attendees on the two-year efforts to push legislation through the state that would deem carwashes “essential” if COVID or another similar epidemic shuts down businesses. “Sam and the team at PPAG are pushing hard on our behalf and with a little more effort we hope to get to the finish line,” said Nicoletta.
CWONJ’s Donates More Than $100,000 in
18-Year Effort for Children’s Specialized Hospital
Children's Hospital President Alissa Memoli and President Nicoletta
UNION, NJ — The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) were able to get in nine holes before Mother Nature had other plans, but more importantly the association was able to surpass $100,000 in donations over the last 18 years to The Children’s Specialized Hospital at its 21st Annual Golf Outing at Suburban Golf Club in Union. The event has been raising money for the hospital, the country’s largest pediatric rehabilitation facility, for nearly two decades. And in doing so has raised $97,000 after this event, and an additional $12,766.00 at its recent Carwash Weekend, held over the Labor Day holiday.
“It’s amazing what the hospital does for children across the country and it’s also amazing how supportive and generous our vendor and operator members have been the last 21 years,” said Dino Nicoletta, CWONJ President. “We all look forward to getting together and giving back to this amazing hospital. This year’s event was exceptional despite the rain, thunder and yes, lightening! Everyone seemed to have a great time and were happy to support the hospital and its mission.” read more….
CWONJ Board Member Tom Fuller of Team Car Wash (left) and CWONJ President Dino Nicoletta of Asbury Circle Car Wash (right) met with Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin at the Princeton Public Affairs office in Trenton to discuss the association’s bill to deem carwashes “essential.”
Help Us Become “Essential!”
The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey and the legislative team from PPAG have drafted language to deem carwashes “essential” during a state of emergency or public health emergency.
In order for this bill, A 3703, to pass we need our vendor and operator members to make phone calls and send letters to their local legislators!
The templates are HERE.
Click on this link to find your local legislators and their contact information.
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts
TOGETHER, we can get this legislation passed but we need to make the calls and send the letters immediately!
Thank you for your help!
Dino Nicoletta, CWONJ President
32nd NRCC Continues to Raise the Bar
The September event had record-breaking vendor booths
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The 32nd Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC), September 19-21, at the Atlantic City Convention Center reached its highest booth count in the show’s history, with 358 sold. And although attendee numbers did not surpass those of 2022, the energy from the seminar lineup and Keynote Speaker put the show over the top, according to Dave Ellard and John Shalbey, Jr., show co-chairs. “Attendees were excited to be at an event with a bunch of carwash entrepreneurs and be able to talk about business, make deals and have fun,” said Shalbey. “From the exhibitor side I heard that attendees were not just kicking tires, but truly investigating and spending money on the latest and greatest technology.”
Incoming CWONJ President Dino Nicoletta with former NJ Governor Chris Christie at the 31st NRCC in Atlantic City in October
NRCC Attendee Numbers Break Record!
ATLANTIC CITY — Despite COVID protocol, the Delta Variant and vendor downsizing due to staffing issues and illness, the 31st Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC), October 4-6, at the Atlantic City Convention Center, broke its 2019 attendee record, according to show Chairman, David DuGoff, with the Mid-Atlantic Carwash Association, this year’s host. “Carwashers are just the best people in the world,” said DuGoff. “It is in our DNA to want to share with others. We learn so much from each other and that is why we want so much to be together again. And that is what we saw at the 31st NRCC — record-breaking operator attendance!”
In addition to impressive attendance, 998 excluding vendors, the NRCC board elevated its educational lineup and secured high-profile presenter, former Governor Chris Christie, as its Keynote Speaker. “Governor Christie, a native of New Jersey, is candid and entertaining. Whether you like his politics or not, he provided us with a caliber of speaker we have not had in the past,” said Suzanne Stansbury, NRCC board member and education track coordinator. “We were thrilled to have him at our event.”
The NRCC was able to secure this level of speaker thanks to a generous co-sponsorship from innovateIt and Micrologic Associates. “I thought Governor Christie’s comments were both insightful and inspiring for small business owners,” said innovateIt President Ron Slone. Added Miguel Gonzalez, Micrologic President & CEO, “Governor Christie was a fantastic choice. For me, personally, it was a career highlight. His authenticity and energy resonated with the audience. My thanks to the NRCC for making this possible.”
In addition to the Keynote, the education track included an unscripted Early Bird panel discussion on any and all topics relating to carwashing, a program on turning a difficult customer into a customer for life and a lively, candid discussion with some industry “Titans” on consolidation, transformation and the industry’s bright future. That seminar included Sonny’s Paul Fazio, Simoniz USA’s Bill Gorra, Hoffman Car Wash’s Tom Hoffman Jr., Amplify Car Wash Advisor’s Bill Martin and International Carwash Association’s Eric Wulf. Unfortunately, due to illness, Big Ass Fans founder Carey Smith was unable to attend. He will, however, be on the 2022 education track!
Another change to the 2021 show was the expansion of the Welcome Reception sponsored by ICS. “We really wanted to make it all-inclusive and a true networking event so we opened it up to every single attendee, no matter if they just came to walk the floor or purchased a full convention pass,” said Stansbury. “It turned out to be a perfect ending to the first day of the trade show featuring Jersey snacks and beverages.”
The NRCC board also opted to change hotel venues and move back to the iconic Atlantic City boardwalk and call the newly-renovated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino home for the next several years.
The 32nd NRCC is slated for September 19-21. For attendee and exhibitor registration information visit nrccshow.com, email info@nrccshow.com or call 800/868-8590. The 2022 show is hosted by the New England Carwash Association with Dave Ellard and John Shalbey Jr. as co-chairmen. “We have some terrific additions to our educational lineup on tap for the 2022 NRCC,” said Shalbey Jr. “We always strive to push the bar a little higher with each show.”
About the NRCC
The Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC) is an alliance of volunteers from five East Coast carwash associations: the Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ), Connecticut Carwash Association (CCA), Mid-Atlantic Carwash Association (MCA), New England Carwash Association (NECA) and New York State Car Wash Association (NYSCWA). The event is held annually in the fall and includes a trade show floor and educational programming geared toward carwash owner/operators. The first NRCC was held in 1989 in Newport, RI.
The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey was founded in 1951 in Newark, New Jersey. The logo on the association’s seal has Excellence, Professional, Quality, Service. This sums up the purpose of our association. As a nonprofit organization, we exist to serve the professional carwash operators in New Jersey and to promote the use of an environmental friendly professional carwash instead of home driveway washing.
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Fundraising Car Wash Participation Form
CWONJ has been very active in the past representing the interests of carwash operators in Trenton and assisting governmental agencies for legislation such as the recent drought emergency. We had a very proactive role and sent out publicity kits and information to all our members to educate their customers on ways to conserve water.
“Did you know?”
NJ legislation requires employers with 20 or more employees to offer pretax transportation fringe benefits.
click here to learn more
Member-Only Employee Handbook
Template Ready!
Have A Labor Question?
For Help Complying with NJ Wage & Hour Regulations
Contact Kathleen M. Caminiti
Fisher & Phillips LLP
kcaminiti@fisherphillips.com
908/516-1058
N.J. minimum wage set to rise to $10 in July and $15 by 2024
Important Information From November NJ Paid Sick Leave Meeting!
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| Sick Leave Poster | NJ Paid Sick Leave Power Point |
New NJ Sales and Use Tax in Effect
NJ Sales and Use Tax in Effect
6.625%
For additional information visit www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/su.shtml
NJ Clean Energy Program
Gary Baright with G & G LED educated the membership on the NJ Clean Energy Program rebates available when LED lighting is installed at the wash. For more information contact Cory Baright at G & G LED at 800/285-6780.
MEMBER BENEFITS
- Customizable Employee Handbook
- Merchant Advocate Credit Card Rate Evaluation
- Scholarship Program
- Carwash of the Year Award
- Children’s Specialized Hospital Golf Tourney
- Children’s Miracle Network Carwash Weekend Fundraiser
- Carwash Tours
- Educational Membership Meetings
- Legislative Advocacy
- Access to Labor Lawyer Kathleen Caminiti
- ICA WaterSavers® Program
- Drought Survival Package
- Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC)
- Northeast Carwasher Magazine
- Leadership Opportunities
- Networking
- New Investors Guide
- User-Friendly Website, cwonj.com
Our Mission Statement:
The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey exists to enhance the success of its members and to promote the professional carwash industry by collecting and disseminating information and knowledge and by stimulating the exchange of thoughts and ideas.