Vendor members were on display at the February 10 Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) membership meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Clark. More than 20 vendors members shared with more than 60 attendees what their companies have to offer. ÒIt was a great forum and opportunity to give back to our vendor members and provide some great information to our operator members,Ó said CWONJ President Mike Prudente.
In addition to the vendor open forum, attendees were updated on legislation that may affect them in this legislative session by association Lobbyist Patrick Stewart with Public Strategies Impact.
The dinner meeting is an annual event for the association but this year it also included FREE 2009 dues to all attendees Ñ vendors and operators alike. ÒWe wanted to give something back to our members,Ó said Prudente. ÒItÕs been tough out there and we want to demonstrate that we are conscious of that and want to help in this small way.Ó If you attended the December 2008 or February 2009 CWONJ membership meeting your 2009 membership dues are FREE! For additional information contact the associationÕs office at 800/2876604.
Participating Vendors Included
A. E. Styles Mfg., 1st Commercial Corp., American Equipment Finance, Beckerman & Company, CSI, Frank Millman Distributors, ICS, In Town Coupons, Jobe, Lawn King, Lorco Petroleum, MSI, Panaram International, Ryko Mfg., Simoniz USA, T & E Sales, Tameric Car Wash Equipment, Tameric Realty, Transactive Merchant Services, Washtech
NJ Operators Get An Education
on Immigration And Labor Law
The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) got an education on immigration and labor law at its April 17 meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Clark. A packed room of operators eagerly listened to three experts discuss the ins and outs of dealing with labor. These experts included Immigration Attorney Susan Scheer, Labor Attorney Dennis Lalli and CPA Robert Bernstein. "The information these panelists shared was invaluable to our membership," said Doug Karvelas. "If you missed this meeting you really missed out."
The evening meeting also included an hors d'oeuvre hour and buffet dinner. The association's next meeting is slated for December 11. For more information on the speakers and/or December meeting log onto our web site at www.cwonj.com or call 800/287-6604.
The CWONJ Learns the Art of Impeccable
Customer Service At Ray Catena Motors
The Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) took to the road on February 6 when they were welcomed by representatives from Ray Catena Motors in Union for a tour of their state-of-the-art facility. The impressive, award-winning Mercedes dealership rolled out the red carpet for more than 50 members and in doing so raised the customer service bar to a height few consumers ever experience. "I was just blown away by Ray Catena's customer service - from how they treat their customers to their employees," said CWONJ President Doug Karvelas. "It was just a great meeting!"
The membership enjoyed a catered buffet dinner and tour of the new facility that houses more than 200 Mercedes Benz. The group also got to see a $485,000 SLR McLaren Mercedes. "This operation just knows how to do things right," said CWONJ Treasurer Dick Zodikoff. "From valet parking, to shoe shines and manicures on site, to a golf driving range, the customers truly comes first at Ray Catena."
In fact, the Ray Catena motto is that they will do whatever it takes to make their customers happy including having a vehicle ready to leave their showroom in 90 minutes or less from the time of purchase.
Treating people right also trickles down to the employees at Ray Catena. "The employees have their own kitchen facility and gym on site and are encouraged to use it," said Karvelas. "Ray Catena believes that taking care of the people who run your business is a huge part of his success. If your employees don't want to be at work they will not perform," said Karvelas.ÊÊÊÊ The group also got to enjoy an update from International Carwash Association President Frank Lash, who made the trip from Newport News, VA, and a tour of the new Sonny's-equipped carwash.
The group's next meeting is April 17 at the Crowne Plaza in Cranford. The meeting will focus on immigration law. For registration information call the association office at 800/287-6604 or 518/280-4767. You can also visit www.cwonj.com.
