IWCA
Convention & Made Show in Reno
Window Clean ‘94
by Paul Dutton, Paul's Professional
Window Washing, Glendale, CA
What
a convention! The skiing was great, the seminars were even
better, and the poker tables were hot.
When
I heard the conference was in Reno, I dusted off the skis
and got them waxed up and ready to go. Two days of skiing
at Heavenly Valley and Alpine Meadows was about all the pain
and pleasure my body could handle. Great ski conditions, perfect
weather, and no lift lines was like a dream come true. To
talk business was difficult under such great conditions, so
we didn't. We did tell people we were with the IWCA convention
in Reno, though. This, of course, meant we had to explain
what IWCA meant. Yes, there is such an organization of professional
and intelligent window cleaners. I think it is our solemn
duty to educate the world's ignorance toward the window cleaning
industry. Window cleaners of the 90's are professional businessmen
and women who take their profession seriously and with pride.
The
seminars this year were extremely helpful. All the speakers
had a great amount of experience in their fields and it showed
in their presentations.
The
trade show seemed even bigger this year with more vendors
and more possibilities for add-on businesses for our companies.
Wouldn't it be great if other industries such as glass tinting,
screening companies, and tool bin manufacturers were there?
It
was great to see the new computer software booth this year.
To actually be able to see how we could use computers to our
advantage in the 90's is great.
If
you weren't losing money at the blackjack tables, then chances
are you were in the speed or medley contests. Every year it
is good to see the same familiar faces, and new ones too,
competing for the number-one position. I remember in San Antonio
when I watched with amazement as one guy fanned the top glass
in the medley with a pole faster than I could do it standing
on the ground. Well, I guess you had to be there.
That
is what I'm getting at. If you weren't at the convention this
year, you missed out. You missed out on Jon Capon's opening
speech that appealed to all of us to help make the IWCA grow.
He's right, we the people will help make it grow, and together
we must start volunteering to help make the IWCA an even bigger
and better organization. The board members have given a lot
of their time and money to help make the IWCA better. We owe
it to some of our great leaders like Jeff Valcourt, LaRue
Coleman, and Jon Capon to start giving our time. We owe it
to ourselves and to our fellow window cleaners. Let's get
involved and let's make the IWCA grow!
If
you weren't at the convention this year, you lost out on terrific
seminars like "Business Planning" and operations management
for 10 or more employees and 10 or fewer employees. You missed
out on Stefan Bright's two-day comprehensive safety certification
program. Most of all, you missed networking with hundreds
of your fellow window cleaners. Yes, you missed the opportunity
of a lifetime. Wait, there's hope - we're having another great
one in New Orleans one year from now.
This
article was reprinted with permission from American
Window Cleaner magazine.
