Children's specialized hospital

The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) is teaming up with Children’s Specialized Hospital to raise money May 3-5. “Our association has been raising money for Children’s Specialized Hospital for 18 years and contributed nearly $100,000 to that effort,” said CWONJ Event Chairman, Doug Karvelas. “This event to support Children’s Hospital is a perfect opportunity for us to continue to grow our relationship with Children’s and support the good work of the hospital. Our members are very generous and this will no doubt be evident in May. Your contribution can be big or small, but we are asking for everyone to join in!”

         The weekend event will see participating operators contribute a percentage of their proceeds to the effort. There are varying amounts that can be selected, or you can contact Children’s with a straight donation. You will receive more information on collateral marketing materials when you sign up to participate. 

The deadline to register for participation is March 15.

To learn more about Children’s Specialized Hospital visit childrens-specialized.org or for any questions please call the CWONJ office at 518/280-4767.

To register click this link.

Benny’s Justin Alford

Broad Street Car Wash’s Doug Karvelas, Helen, Justin and Juliet Alford and CWONJ President Dino Nicoletta.

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.

Broad Street Car Wash’s Doug Karvelas, Helen, Justin and Juliet Alford and 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
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

Northeast Regional Carwash Convention
October 7-9, 2024

www.nrccshow.com

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.”

read more…

Incoming CWONJ President Dino Nicoletta with former NJ Governor Chris Christie at the 31st NRCC in Atlantic City in October

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.

cwonj-logo-smallThe 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

Employess handbookMember-Only Employee Handbook

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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



Important Information From November NJ Paid Sick Leave Meeting!

PowerPoint presentation will download in the background

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.

NJ Clean Energy Write Up.pdf

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.