Anyone going to the IWCA convention in San Diego? Was a pretty cool setup in Arizona a two years ago. I’m not promoting it, I’m just seeing if anyone is planning on going, and I’ll hope to run into you! Peace 
For the money and time the IWCA is the towards the bottom of industry or business related events. 2 cents.
so no
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What industry related events are worthwhile?
I was checking into these type of events and only found 2.
One is a mixed industry with window cleaning being much smaller focused. Other is IWCA which seemed to have a few days of content.
@DaveYogi, why is IWCA not good event?
Seemed as if the IWCA event has far more resources and info related to window cleaning.
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The IWCA is held on the west side of the country one year, then on the east side on the next and repeat. So since I’m on the west I’ll try to go then. They are held at top notch places and a lot of window cleaner owners and sometimes their employees and admin staff attend. Is it worth the money? Well it depends on the business needs and budget. My need is great but my budget is small, so I actually save up and take it serious to make it worthwhile for me. It’s mainly Window cleaners there. Heck it’s a business expense so that balances a little at tax time too.
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I have found better hands experience and information sharing at other events.
If you remove tools from the equation it opens the events list up.
Think Eclean mag typically has an events list round this time of year. Several soft washing related ones in Fl. I know there is a someone going around doing Holiday light trading, classes down at Mike H’s place. But If I was only doing one event within this industry cause networking is important it would be the Huge Convention.
So WINDOW CLEANING events there are 2?
From posted schedule the Huge Convention looks to be 80% geared towards pressure washing?
You think that is still better than IWCA where focus is 100% window cleaning?
When was last year you attended each?
Its closer to 50 / 50 and theres still way more window cleaning stuff at The Huge Convention. Way more window cleaners as well. Im not saying there is anything wrong with the IWCA its just really dwindled in size.
I’ve attended at least 10 IWCA events and each year they got smaller and smaller and everything became more elementary. But, networking is networking anyway you cut it, I’ve met people at IWCA events 10 years ago that I still talk with and learned and shared with over the years.
Is it worth it to attend? Its all perceived value and what you intend to get out of the event.
It seems from the schedules and attedance of each IWCA is larger companies with employees and Huge are more solo companies.
Any confirmation of this?
I did not say there are 2 or 20.
Do you have statements or only questions for me?
The Huge is for anyone, lots and lots of solo guys and larger companies attend. The IWCA is for sure more focused on high rise and high rise companies. They have been a great resource for safety training and high rise certification.
I guess your response included holiday lighting and soft wash events.
Your only mention of window cleaning events has been the 2.
Just want to see where your opinion came from how long ago you attended these or if you personally have.
If you havnt attended both that would be tough to compare.
My statements came from research and was looking for clarification and questions are why I’m here.
I personally don’t care for the IWCA but am trying to figure if I have given it a real chance. That’s why I am considering the convention.
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I was a member of the IWCA for close to ten years, if not more, and attended many of their conventions. One of the best seminars I ever attended was at one of their conventions. It was called Hire Hard, Manage Easy, by Jane Seawright. I’ve met many great window cleaners at those conventions, some that I still talk to regularly. Every year I attended an IWCA convention I saw a decline in attendance. When the WCRA formed I did not renew my membership to the IWCA and have not attended one of their conventions since. As a small residential company it never felt like there was much geared for me and I couldn’t relate to the big high rise companies.
I would rank the IWCA Conventions at the bottom of my must attend list now. I’ve attended every Huge Convention and also have attended many regional and local window cleaning related events. The expense of the IWCA and their conventions just isn’t worth it for me. If it weren’t for all the friends I’ve made in the industry by meeting them at the IWCA Conventions I would say I completely wasted my money by being a member there for all those years.
If you’ve never been I would suggest attending. You are guaranteed to meet other like minded individuals and will hopefully be able to come away with enough learned information that it makes the expense worth it. But, if you could only attend one convention, I would suggest the Huge Convention for sure. I’ve found the quality of attendees to be the best in terms of willingness to share and comradery.
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I have attended the past 2 IWCA conventions. I have not yet been to a Huge, so I can’t speak to that. I have gained tremendous value from the IWCA conventions, in regards to personnel management, safety, and business operations. I would disagree with the statement that it is geared towards high rise, but I would say that it is geared more towards companies with multiple employees, whether high rise, route, or residential. It is also good for companies who want to have multiple employees, and aren’t sure how to manage that.
This will be my 20th year in business, and I am going to San Diego this time, and bringing one of my managers. I believe that if you are open to learning, then you can find something to learn at any event of this type.
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Did anyone apply for the paid scholarship that is offered for first time attendees?
The should be announcing the essay winner soon.
I’m driving On Saturday and staying till Friday. I’m in Prescott Valley
if any want to share an room and ride.
Where I’m staying El Primero Boutique Hotel, Chula Vista – Updated 2023 Prices
So is anyone there? Hows it going?
I decided not to go.
