The 16th Window Cleaning Network Picnic took place last weekend in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

The Picnic is a unique networking event focused more on “natural” networking than seminars. Three days of activities are planned; ¾ of attendees spend more than one day here.

There were 88 attendees in all from 19 states who by all accounts had a great time.

Activities began Friday with lift training, then the Don Chute Memorial Golf charity golf (sponsored by IPC Eagle), an AUWC membership meeting, and the DSC reception in the hotel lounge. Unfortunately the Friday fireworks show was cancelled by the city because of the drought. We kept the bar open longer and Unger picked up the bar tab – it worked.

There were 3 seminars. Dave Webb of International Equipment taught an aerial lift safety class and hands on certification tests. Jeff Scott spoke about – and stressed – high rise training and rooftop safety. These two topics actually mesh together well. Half of Picnic attendees do high rise, and most route/residential window cleaners get high rise leads from time to time.

Gary Mauer discussed his goal of attending Glass Performance Days 2013 in Finland as a continuation of the effort to promote tempered glass quality to the glass industry.

On Saturday we were outside by the JRC Picnic tent by 11:15; weather was perfect all afternoon. John Becker of Ettore prepared an awesome meal – Santa Maria steaks, sweet corn, baked potatoes, salads, watermelon – and cake.

After lunch there were demos of lifts, waterfed pole systems, indoor systems, screen cleaning and pressure wash systems. New products from Unger and Ettore were introduced. The Picnic’s work truck show – where window cleaners park trucks on the lawn and show each other stuff – was a popular networking opportunity

The water balloon/dunk game helped kick off fundraising for another Gary Mauer fabricating debris scratch test seminar at GPD. The day ended with a huge door prize drawing with a ton of prizes from JRC, Ettore, Unger, Titan Labs and a host of other Window Cleaning Network Sponsors. Prizes included 4 waterfed poles, a Weber grill, GPS and Kindle Fire.

On day 3, Sunday, some of us went charter fishing on Lake Michigan – and caught 19 large lake trout and king salmon. Mike Dieltz’s trout is getting mounted. One group hit the giant German Fest in Milwaukee. Another went up to Slinger Speedway – billed as the world’s fastest quarter mile – for stock car racing.

Olympia Resort – site of the Picnic since 1997 – is a 250 room hotel with a spa, pools, golf course, restaurant and bars. A $1.3m renovation project is underway. Next year’s Window Cleaning Network Picnic will held here the weekend of July 27, 2013.

(Always the last Saturday in July.)

Ahhhh the smell of sweet corn the slow roasting of barbecue ribs and the delightful sound of conversation. Yes, these are all the makings of the most popular destination in the window cleaning industry, Oconomowoc, Wisconson.  Home of Annual Window Cleaning Network Picnic. Hosted every year since 1998 by Gary Mauer with the help of his wife.

Time and again window cleaners make their way for the mecca, of the industries largest show and demonstrations of water fed poles and equipment. This year was no different and JRacenstein was there to show there support and display the newest and best in water fed poles and water makers. This year, the release of the Gardiner Extreme the new 48′ pole by Gardiner, that with add on sections can reach a height of 80′ and so light you can practically drink a soda and clean a window at the same time. Also displayed by JRacenstein was the line of Ionic brand poles and the new Brodex line.

Picnic time is just not a time of show and tell but also a time to mingle and catch up on industry events in this laid back atmosphere. On hand to do this was John DePalma, Joey Corley and Anthony DiTusa to make sure JRC got there mingle on. Other vendors as well, were there to add to the flavor and friendly relations enjoyed in the industry. John Siebenaler and Mike Dieltz from IPC Eagle were on hand, along with Josh Cronin to show off the Eagle Hydrotube and Screenwasher. Along with vendors and window cleaners mingling was the sound of cheerful play as many had an opportunity to soak their fellow competitor and vendor in the balloon burst. Which I also happen to be a recipient of. This is just not any ordinary balloon burst but this years money raised, went to Don Chutes favorite charity which a total of  $1000.00 was raised.

A good time was had by all and it was good to see many familiar faces and meet many new ones. As always Kim Little and Major Norwood was there to help kick off the event getting things started with the first annual Don Chute charity golf competition on Friday. That Friday night was the opening reception a pre picnic tradition. In which many get together to have appetizers and wet there whistles. Karaoke completed the night as John DePalma stole the show as he sang to his adoring fans “Lets Get It On” by Marvin Gaye. (We got the pictures to prove it!)

Another picnic down and another already being planned. Next years picnic we hope to see you in the hippest place a window cleaner in summer can be seen Oconomowoc, WI. Water fed capital of the world. (At least in July).

Anthony DiTusa
J.Racenstein Co

Live Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16317645