Your Three-Day Game Plan for Carwash Con East
Atlantic City is calling, and this October the Atlantic City Convention Center becomes the center of the car wash universe. Carwash Con East (formerly the NRCC) runs October 5 to 7, 2026, packing three days with education, networking, and a show floor built to help you run a stronger wash.
If you have ever left a trade show wishing you had mapped out your days ahead of time, this one is for you. Here is what is on the schedule, hour by hour, so you can walk in with a plan.
Day 1: Monday, October 5
Virtual Carwash Tour, 3:00 to 5:00 pm
The show opens with one of its most popular traditions. Host Tom Hoffman, Jr. of Hoffman Car Wash takes attendees inside four forward-thinking washes without anyone leaving the convention center. Think of it as a car wash bus tour with a front-row seat, expert commentary, and operators on hand to answer questions.
This year's lineup spans every model: Queen Car Wash (self-service/IBA) in Massachusetts with Chloe Deeb, Benny's (multi-profit center) in Baton Rouge with Justin Alford, Hoffman Car Wash (express) in Albany with Tom Hoffman, Jr., and TEAM Car Wash (full service) in New Jersey with Tom Fuller. It is a rare look at how different operators are building, improving, and running their sites. Sponsored by AVW.
Simoniz Celebration, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Cocktails, conversation, and the car wash community all in one room. Held in the Hollywood Ballroom at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the Simoniz Celebration is part party and part networking event, and it is always a great reason to grab a drink and catch up. Food, drinks, and plenty of time to mix and mingle are on the menu, courtesy of long-time supporter Simoniz. Pre-registration is required, but all registration levels are welcome.
Day 2: Tuesday, October 6
This is the big day. Clear your calendar!
Early Bird Seminar, 7:15 to 8:15 am (breakfast starts at 7:00)
Start the day right with a hearty breakfast buffet and an unscripted panel of seasoned operators fielding any and all questions about car washing. The only topic off limits is pricing. Moderated by John Shalbey, Jr. of RoJo Car Wash, with panelists representing each of the regional associations and a guest operator from Tennessee. Sponsored by Micrologic.
Breakout Sessions, 8:30 to 10:45 am
The morning splits into focused sessions built for every role at your wash:
- AI at the Wash: Wins, Losses & What We're Learning (8:30 to 9:30 am). OhmCo's Mel and Mike Ohlinger cut through the AI hype with a candid, real-world conversation about what actually works for operators, marketers, and small teams. Expect honest takeaways, a few "we won't do that again" moments, and room to bring your own questions.
- The Hidden Habits of High-Performing Washes (9:45 to 10:45 am, Tunnel track). Kyle Doyle of Rinsed digs into why similar-looking washes produce wildly different results, and the daily routines and cultural defaults that separate the best from the rest.
- Stop Watching, Start Competing (9:45 to 10:45 am, Self-Serve track). Veteran self-serve and IBA operators Marc Tyndale, Keith Lutz, and Cameron Alleman share proven strategies for growing in a crowded market.
- The First 60 Seconds: Winning the Sale Before It Starts (9:45 to 10:45 am, Manager track). Claire Moore of the ICA leads an interactive, role-play-driven session on coaching your team to win the most important minute of every sale.
Keynote: Make Some Noise, 11:00 to 11:50 am
Ken Schmidt, former Director of Communications at Harley-Davidson and author of Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance, headlines the show. Instrumental in Harley's celebrated turnaround, Schmidt has taught more than 1,000 companies how to dominate their markets by building a memorable customer experience. Provocative, outspoken, and worth every minute. Sponsored by Micrologic and innovateIT.
Awards Luncheon, 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Before lunch, the industry celebrates its own. This year's honors include two Emerging Leader Awards, the Most Distinguished Person Award, the Hall of Fame induction, and a brand-new-for-2026 Giving Back Award recognizing those who go above and beyond for their communities. Sponsored by WelcomeMat and Hamel Manufacturing Co.
*Show Floor Opens, 1:00 to 6:00 pm*
The moment everyone waits for. The trade show floor opens for five full hours of equipment, chemistry, technology, and face time with the vendors shaping the industry.
Welcome Reception on the Show Floor, 4:00 to 5:30 pm
New location, new time. This year the long-standing Welcome Reception moves right onto the show floor to keep the energy going. Open to all attendees, it comes with two drink tickets, reimagined Jersey Shore snacks, a $500 cash giveaway, and raffle prizes, all compliments of OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions. This is where business conversations happen naturally, so stick around.
Day 3: Wednesday, October 7
The final day starts with three track-specific sessions, each paired with a breakfast buffet at 8:30 am.
Sessions, 8:45 to 9:45 am
- Doubling Down on Your Self Serve (Self-Serve/IBA track). A candid panel of operators who chose to reinvest in their sites, moderated by Cameron Alleman, with David Melhorn, David DuGoff, and Randy Donatelli sharing what has paid off and where the biggest opportunities lie.
- Coaching to Success (Manager track). Matt Scarchilli of Sandler by Winning Process leads a hands-on workshop on the mindset behind effective coaching, with real management scenarios and role practice built in. Not a sit-back-and-scroll session.
- Serious Fun with Serious Results (Tunnel track). Tony Brigmon, former Southwest Airlines Ambassador of Fun, shows how positivity and culture drive real business results, drawing on the practices that helped Southwest change the airline industry.
Show Floor Opens, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
One last chance to walk the floor, close deals, and catch anything you missed. Then head home with fresh ideas and new connections.
Ready to Build Your Plan?
Three days, dozens of sessions, and a show floor full of the people and products moving car washing forward. Whether you are here to learn, to buy, or to reconnect with the community, Carwash Con East gives you a reason to be in every room.
Atlantic City Convention Center · October 5 to 7, 2026 · Register to attend or reserve your booth.
We will see you at the shore!
