A dog waiting in a car while at a car wash slipped the vehicle into gear and drove in a loop before the car came to a stop. Pryor police officer Brent Crittenden said the dog’s owner was washing the vehicle when the 70-pound pit bull jumped on the dash and somehow shifted the car into reverse.

The car backed out of the car wash bay, continued onto a highway and then looped around before coming to a stop at an automated car wash lane.

Crittenden said the vehicle was impounded because its owner was unable to provide proof of insurance.

Because the dog was registered with the city, Crittenden said the owner was allowed to walk the pooch home.

Information from: Pryor Daily Times, http://www.pryordailytimes.com

As a west coast business it’s difficult to get back east easily and we prefer the event when it’s in Las Vegas.  I know I said differently in an earlier post, but now that I’ve made the trip to Florida we prefer staying closer to home.  But the mouse world area is a great place to visit. I believe the convention will be held for the near future in Vegas making it easier for us to get in and out without much of an issue.  I’m sure guys from the east coast may not feel the same, but I know everyone loves going to Vegas. And we look forward to next year. That said Orlando is a great place for a convention and was well run and very well attended by my estimation.  The Peabody Hotel where we stayed is an awesome place to spend a few nights and getting around to the convention center was a breeze.  The ICA put on a fabulous event.

Here are a few of the highlights in my opinion,

• Great keynote
• TV style interview kept my attention
• Trade show was filled with great vendors
• Most of the educational seminars where well attended
• Ritz Carlton seminar was very informative and maybe the best I’ve attended

Some thing that could be improved,

• Some of the seminars are old and worn and need revamping
• The Disney event though good, but by Disney standards could a have been stronger

Overall I think the event was just what I expected and seemed we attended.  I expect to be at next year’s event as well.

View my photos here.

Mar 31, 11:02 PM EDT AP) Nassau County police have arrested a Queens man for damaging a Long Island car wash with his car.

Authorities said the man was unhappy with the service he got at the Elmont car wash on Sunday afternoon. He was offered a second wash, but got angry at having to wait and drove his car into the computer controlling the facility, police said.

The computer controller was destroyed, and the man was charged with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

First I like to convey that we like the idea of the convention being outside Las Vegas. As one who visits Las Vegas, NV for conventions frequently, it’s nice to visit other locations in the country (though this will be my third visit to Orlando in two years). We look forward in catching up with old friends, vendors and acquaintances and having both an informative and enjoyable event. We’ll see you there.     

We had the opportunity to visit the 2008 AOCA convention this week.  I can say again that the AOCA puts on a great event.  This year it was informational packed.  Money was spent where is should have been, on great speakers and educational events.  No keynote speaker was scheduled which I think was brilliant.
I personally participated in these educational sessions;

• The Attitude Virus
• Engaged Customer Service
• Fleet Marketing
• Government Affairs Update
• Street Fighter Marketing
• The Game is Played Away from the Ball

If I was to critique these sessions they were all very good except the “Fleet Marketing” which had no relevance to our business.  It was more for the mobile oil changer.  The presentation was good but you can tell that he wanted to push his type of oil changing business and was not educating many on how he has been successful generating fleet accounts.  A couple of highlights were “The Game is played away from the ball”.  I’ve seen this guy a before and he’s great.  He keeps you involved and interested and I could listen to him for hours.  “Street fighter Marketing” was also extremely interesting and to the point.  Both these sessions rank ultra high with me.
Others who went to the sessions saw;

• Establishing you training program
• Creating a great pit crew
• Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures
• ABC of Claims
• Small Businesses Don’t Die, They just commit suicide!
• Lubricant Training for the Fast Lubes

The guys indicated that they were all good and informative.  Again everyone who went to “Street Fighter Marketing” and “The game is played away for the ball”, highly enjoyed them.
We walked the Fast Lube Expo for a couple of hours making a few purchases and meeting up with vendors and old friends. 
Outside of the Convention we had two fabulous meals and spent a few hours socializing.  Overall AOCA puts on a great event and should be highly proud of them again this year. 
 

View my AOCA photo’s here.