3 Days of Carwash Innovation, Education & Connection

The 35th annual Northeast Regional Carwash Convention proved once again why NRCC remains one of the most important events in the carwash industry. Held October 6–8, 2025, at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, this year’s event brought together nearly 2,000 attendees, more than 400 exhibitor booths and an outstanding lineup of speakers, panels and networking opportunities.



Before the show even began, excitement was building. In a pre-show interview, NYSCWA co-chairman Walt Hartl emphasized the value of industry professionals coming together to learn from one another, avoid common mistakes and strengthen the industry as a whole. That promise carried through every part of the event.

The convention opened Monday with the always-anticipated Virtual Carwash Tour hosted by Tom Hoffman Jr. of Hoffman Car Wash. Attendees got an inside look at innovative wash sites from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Indiana and even the Netherlands, offering fresh ideas and inspiration from across the globe. The evening continued with Simoniz’s annual Cocktails & Conversation reception at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where great food, drinks and lively networking helped set the tone for the days ahead.

Tuesday morning launched the educational agenda with a breakfast buffet and an Early Bird Seminar covering current operational challenges and best practices. The sessions that followed reflected the wide range of issues and opportunities operators are navigating today. Mel Ohlinger of OhmCo shared practical insight into the biggest mistakes operators make with their websites, while Kyle Doyle of Ignite Wash/Rinsed presented data-backed findings on sales culture based on 3 million sales presentations. At the same time, self-serve professionals gathered for a well-attended panel focused on maximizing profitability and performance, while leadership-minded attendees heard from retired U.S. Army Colonel Pilar McDermott on how to handle difficult conversations with staff and customers.

One of the biggest highlights of the event was the keynote presentation from former WD-40 CEO Garry Ridge. His message focused on building a strong learning culture, using humor, experience and heart to show how trust, growth and resilience shape successful organizations.

Before the trade show floor opened, NRCC hosted its annual Awards Luncheon to recognize outstanding contributions to the industry. This year’s honorees included Melanie Agudelo of Scrub-a-Dub Car Wash and Riley Cook of Splash Car Wash, who both received Emerging Leader Awards. Mike Mountz of Grace For Vets was named Most Distinguished Person, and Tom Hoffman Jr. was inducted into the Hall of Fame. These recognitions highlighted the passion, service and leadership that continue to move the industry forward.

The trade show floor itself was a major draw, featuring 416 booths and a packed exhibition hall filled with new ideas, products and technology. After a full afternoon of exploring the show, attendees gathered once again at the ICS-sponsored Welcome Reception for refreshments, raffles and more opportunities to connect.

Wednesday kept the momentum going with two concurrent panel discussions. One focused on leadership, growth and the future of the industry, while the other centered on self-serve operations, technology and customer connection. The event wrapped with one final exhibition session, giving attendees time to revisit suppliers, ask questions and leave with valuable insights to bring back to their businesses.

From start to finish, NRCC 2025 delivered on its promise of education, collaboration and forward-thinking industry support. It was a reminder that the best part of the carwash industry is not just the innovation on the show floor, but the people willing to share what they have learned and help each other succeed.

NRCC 2026 will return to the Atlantic City Convention Center October 5–7, 2026. If this year’s convention was any indication, it is already shaping up to be another can’t-miss event.