New York car wash group hosts networking day at Saratoga track

The New York State Car Wash Association gathered 85 car washers, suppliers, and their families at the historic Saratoga Race Course on July 24 for a day of racing, food, and industry networking. According to reporting from Auto Laundry News, the event was held across two trackside Casamigos Spa Verandas and was billed as the first of many similar outings to come.

The gathering was sponsored by American Car Wash Solutions, NCS, and Simoniz USA, and it was open to operators, vendors, and their families for an entire day at the track.

A focus on relationships

Chris Kubarek, the association's incoming president, framed the day as a chance for the industry to build both professional connections and personal ties. He pointed to the mix of networking and friendships on display across the two verandas, describing the day as awesome and noting the favorable weather and accommodations.

The family focus was echoed by Patrick Bittel of DRB, who attended with his wife and three children. He said his daughters had "the time of their lives" at the track and that his family is already looking ahead to the 2027 edition of the event.

What comes next

The association's next event is its Fall Carwash Tour and Membership Meeting, scheduled for October 29. The agenda includes a tour and lunch at G & G Industrial Lighting in Malta, followed by tours of three area car washes. That combination of a supplier facility visit and multiple operating washes gives attendees a chance to see equipment and operations in a working context alongside the membership meeting.

Why it matters for operators

Regional association events like this one are low-cost ways for operators to expand their networks, compare notes with peers, and meet suppliers in a relaxed setting away from the sales floor. The relationships formed at social gatherings often pay off later when an operator needs a referral, a vendor recommendation, or advice on a specific problem. The family-friendly format also helps operators bring the people who support their businesses at home into the industry community, which can strengthen long-term engagement.

The upcoming Fall Carwash Tour offers more direct operational value. Touring three area washes and a lighting supplier lets operators observe real-world layouts, equipment choices, and site solutions they can adapt to their own locations. Operators weighing whether to invest time in state association membership should consider that these events combine practical learning with the kind of peer relationships that are hard to replicate through online research or trade show floors alone. For operators in New York and neighboring states, the October 29 meeting is a concrete opportunity to get involved.