About the Author

Then: Ryan grew up in the car washing industry as part of a family-owned car wash business in central Minnesota. Attended Concordia College in Moorhead Minnesota and gained a working knowledge of business, marketing, and communications.

Now: Ryan Carlson, published author of many articles in trade journals and websites, has been cited in multiple media outlets as an authority on consumer buying trends and car wash promotional marketing technologies. Specializing in successful car wash marketing and cashless payment technologies, you can catch one of his seminars at a local trade show or read his regular editorials in the various industry trade publications. For advice, questions, or interviews call (952) 232-5042 or write him via email at ryan(at)washideas(dot)com

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Speaking Engagements

Modern Car Care Expo (Las Vegas) – Educational Investor Seminar

• 2008 – Rinse and Repeat – Customer Loyalty Strategies

C-Store Canada Expo (Calgary) – Educational Seminar for Wash Operators

• 2008 – Cashless 101: Strategies for implementing and marketing cashless systems.

International Car Wash Association – Car Care World Expo Educational Seminar Speaker

• 2004 – The Cashless Revolution (Exhibit Hall)
• 2005 – To Catch a Thief- New Technologies to better manage a car wash business
• 2006- To Fleet or Not to Fleet? – How to market to commercial businesses [top rated speaker]
• 2007- Seven Effective Marketing Strategies for putting together a Marketing Plan

Western Carwash Association – Regional Trade Show Educational Seminar Speaker

• 2005 – Video Monitoring Equipment and Revenue Tracking Solutions
• 2006- “Marketing for Success” through implementation of Pre-paid and Fleet Card
• 2007- The ABC’s and Benefits of Installing Credit Card and Fleet Cards in your Self Service Bays

Heartland Carwash Association – Regional Trade Show Education Seminar Speaker

• 2005- New Technologies That REALLY Work – Making more profits at the wash

EzineArticles.com Expert Author (link)

Published Articles- Auto Laundry News

• The Importance of Customer Data Collection
• Managing Commercial Fleet Business

Published Articles- America’s Car Care Business

• Cashless Marketing Options
• Advances in Pay Station Technology
• Secrets of Successful Self Service Car Wash Operations – Choosing Software to Work for Your Business
• Industry Trends of 2007
• Cashless 101 – Choosing a cashless system right for you
• Fundamentals of Paystation Marketing
• Paystation Upgrade Options
• Revolutionary Technologies of the Modern Carwash
  

Published Articles- Modern Car Care

• Breaking Out of the “Quarter Business”
• Overview of Cashless Technology
• Credit Cards: Changing The Industry?
• Unforgettable: Marketing Strategies
• Revolutionary Technologies in the Wash Industry
• Cashing In: The Colorful History of Carwash Cashless Payment Systems
• A Tale of Two Washes (Part 1) – Taking Care of your Business
• A Tale of Two Washes (Part 2) – Teaching an Old Wash New Tricks

Published Articles- Professional Carwashing & Detailing

• Are You a Card Carrying Member? Alternative Payment Methods at the Wash
• More Ways to Pay, More Ways to Profit
• What’s Your Sign? New Ways to Pick Up Business through Smart Sign Usage
• The McWash
• Internet Marketing Strategies
• Alternative Payment in the Bay
• Building a Better Wash Website
  

Published Articles- Heartland Carwash Association Annual Publication

• The Past, Present, and Future of Cashless Marketing Options in the Car Wash Industry
• The History of WashCard Systems

Online News Stories

• Professional Carwashing & Detailing News, February 7th, 2006
• Professional Carwashing & Detailing News, July 12th, 2005

Published Online Articles

• Breaking Out of “The Quarter Business” (Modern Car Care, March 2007)
• Cashless 101: Selecting the right cashless credit card system (Americas Car Care Business, December 2007)
• How it Works: The Technology of Payment Systems (Modern Car Care, 2007)
• The Colorful History of Carwash Cashless Payment Systems and Their Future (MCC, 12/07)
• Unforgettable: Making your wash promotions memorable (Modern Car Care 2007)
• Your Carwash Website (PC&D, January 2008)
• More ways to pay, more ways to profit (PC&D, February 2006)
  
• Card Carrying Customers (PC&D, vol.29- July 2005)
• The Carwash of the Future (PC&D, vol.28- October 2004)

Interviews

• Who’s Who in Car Care (PC&D vol.29 – January 2005)
• The Internet Factor (PC&D – January 2008)