By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
Much has changed with the Canadian Carwash Association since its inception – its name, its scope and its activities – but 65 years has not changed its fundamental mission.
The CCA, which was chartered in 1960 as the Automatic Car Wash Association of Ontario, set the stage for the industry’s professional development and networking with the first Canadian Automatic Car Wash Trade Seminar in 1963 and hasn’t looked back.
The CCA’s 65th anniversary celebration was a significant foundation of this year’s recently completed successful CARWACS trade show.
“While the core mission of the Canadian Carwash Association – to support and advance the interests of the professional car wash industry in Canada – remains consistent since its founding 65 years ago, the way that mission is executed has evolved significantly,” CCA President Karen Smith told Car Wash Daily News.
“In the early years, the focus was largely on establishing best practices and uniting a then-nascent industry. Today, the CCA’s mission encompasses a broader range of initiatives including advocacy, education, data sharing, sustainability, and innovation.”
These days the CCA works to equip its members with the tools, knowledge, and representation needed to adapt to an increasingly complex business environment, which can include changing consumer expectations, environmental regulations, technological advancements, and labor market challenges.
“Our role is to ensure members are not only keeping up but staying ahead – through networking, resources, and collective advocacy that drives industry growth and resilience,” Smith said.
Throughout its 65-year history, the CCA has adapted to industry needs, offering programs, partnerships, and events that it hopes will empower car wash operators nationwide in an often-changing business environment.
“The Canadian car wash industry is in a period of dynamic growth and transition. Demand remains strong, driven by increasing vehicle ownership, heightened consumer interest in convenience, and growing environmental awareness that favors professional, water-efficient washing over home-based washing,” Smith said.
“That said, the industry is also facing some real challenges. Rising operating costs, inflationary pressures, labor shortages, and the tightening of environmental regulations require operators to be more innovative and efficient than ever.”
The CCA addresses those challenges in several ways:
Advocacy: Working with regulatory bodies to ensure fair and practical environmental policies that allow car wash businesses to thrive while meeting sustainability goals.
Education and Resources: Providing members with access to industry insights, best practices, and data, including our annual Wash Volume Report, to support informed decision-making.
Networking and Peer Learning: Through webinars, regional events, and our involvement with CARWACS, facilitating connections among operators, suppliers, and experts.
Labor Solutions: Exploring ways to support members with recruitment and retention strategies, and advocate for policies that help ease the labor burden on small- and medium-sized operators.
Smith points to the “resounding success” of this year’s CARWACS trade show as a prime example of the CCA’s efforts to engage car wash professionals to share and learn from one another.
“CARWACS is more than a trade show – it’s a place where meaningful conversations happen, partnerships are formed, and the future of the industry is shaped,” she said.
“For new entrants and long-standing operators alike, it remains an indispensable part of the annual calendar.”
