2007 South Texas Regional

By: Paul Gaston - AUWC Director

On October 20, 2007, a group of about 30 window cleaners converged on the Holiday Inn Express on North 281 in San Antonio for the South Texas AUWC Regional.

100% of our AUWC membership from that area was present, including Barry Schmick, Daniel Bellows, David Pitman, and Larry Still with his wife, Sandy. Also representing the AUWC, traveling to the event, was myself, Josh Gaston, David Lowe, Amos Cortez (all from my company in north Texas), B. A. Autrey, and Craig Aldrich (all the way from California).

After a short greeting from the host, the group enjoyed a seminar discussing ladder and job safety presented by an OSHA representative from Austin. Sam Terry, President of the IWCA, spoke to the group encouraging attendance at their 2008 convention in San Diego. Barry Schmick and B. A. Autery both offered their own “sales pitch” for AUWC membership. Paul Keniston, from Dallas Window Cleaning Supply, brought a well-stocked display set up at the front door of the meeting room.

At noon the attendees scattered in smaller groups, using the lunch break for some personal networking opportunities.

Shawn Gavin, from Reach Higher Ground, began the afternoon with hands-on equipment demonstrations of his water-fed equipment. Jim “Streaky” Willingham, from J. R. Racenstein, was there for the day, also offering water-fed equipment demonstrations in the afternoon and giving a short “dog and pony show” at the end of the afternoon.

There was approximately $2000 worth of “door prizes” given away. They were supplied by the AUWC, B. A. Autery, Chris & Alex Lambrinides, J. R. Racenstein, Mr. LongArm, Unger, ABC Window Cleaning Supply, and Larry and Sandy Still provided coolers full of soft drinks and water all day long.

A total of over 20 companies were represented with over 30 in attendance. The event resulted in new members in the AUWC, more than doubling our previous numbers in the San Antonio area.