Description:
Join Tom Hoffman, Jr. for one of the most popular ways to see what is happening in the car wash world without leaving the Atlantic City Convention Center. This virtual tour takes attendees inside four innovative, forward-thinking washes to see how different operators are building, improving, and running their sites.

Think of it like a car wash bus tour, but with a front-row seat, expert insight, and operators on hand to answer questions along the way. You will get a closer look at what is working, how others are solving problems, and what new ideas you may want to bring back to your own wash.

Speaker/Host:

Tom Hoffman, Jr., Hoffman Car Wash / Hoffman innovateIT, Albany, NY

Featured Sites:
Self-Service/IBA:

Queen Car Wash, Taunton/New Bedford, MA, with operator Chloe Deeb

Multi Profit Center:

Benny’s, Baton Rouge, LA, with operator Justin Alford

Express:

Hoffman Car Wash, Albany, NY, with operator Tom Hoffman, Jr.

Full Service:

TEAM Car Wash from Westfield, NJ, with operator Tom Fuller

Description:
It's time for cocktails and conversation! Get ready for one of the most popular gatherings at Carwash Con East. The Simoniz Celebration is part party, part networking event, and always a great reason to dress up, grab a drink, and catch up with the car wash community.

Thanks to long-time Carwash Con East supporter, sponsor, and exhibitor Simoniz, all attendees are welcome to join in the fun. This is a great chance to meet people you do not normally work with, connect with companies you may not see every day, and have the kind of conversations that turn into real business relationships.

The evening includes food, drinks, and plenty of time to mix, mingle, and celebrate with operators, vendors, friends, and new faces from across the industry.

Pre-registration is required, but all registration levels are welcome to attend.

Description:
This show favorite is a candid, start your day off right seminar with a hearty breakfast buffet and an unscripted panel discussion with seasoned operators and an out-of-market guest who will answer any and all questions relating to carwashing. The only topic off limits is pricing!
 
Panel:

Moderator:

John Shalbey, Jr., RoJo Car Wash, Norwood, MA

New York State Car Wash Association (NYSCWA):

Mackenzie Weekes Wilock, Spritz Car Wash, Clifton Park, NY

Mid-Atlantic Carwash Association (MCA):

Jordan Rosner, Liberty Car Wash, Sykesville, MD

Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ):

Tom Halford, Shammy Shine Car Wash, Flemington, NJ

New England Carwash Association (NECA) and New York State Car Wash Association (NYSCWA):

Jay Frank, Splash, Milford, CT

Guest Panelist:

Tim Jones, Champion Car Wash, Joelton, TN

Description:

AI is everywhere right now, but what does it actually mean for car wash operators? Is it a real tool, or just another shiny thing everyone is supposed to pretend they understand? Join OhmCo’s Mel and Mike Ohlinger for a casual, honest conversation about using AI in the real wash world to help operators, marketers, owners, managers, and small teams trying to get more done without making a mess.

Mel and Mike started using AI early in their own business, combining Mel’s military security background with Mike’s technical writing experience to find practical ways to build tools, and use it thoughtfully. They will share the wins, the losses, the weird surprises, and the places where they found that AI still needs a human in charge.

As Mel and Mike share their examples, honest takeaways, and their “we won’t do that again” moments, be ready to bring your own AI wins, losses, suggestions, and questions to the discussion.

Description:
Why simple businesses produce wildly different results, and what the best operators do differently every day. Carwashing looks simple on the surface: attract customers, wash cars, sell memberships, manage labor and keep the site running. Yet similar-looking washes often produce wildly different results.
 
The difference is rarely one big strategy, one piece of equipment, or one perfect sales script. More often, it comes down to the hidden habits inside the organization: the routines, behaviors, feedback loops and cultural defaults that shape what happens every day.
 
In this session, industry veteran Kyle Doyle will explore the patterns that separate high-performing car washes from the rest and how daily behaviors across the organization influence consistency, customer experience, team performance and long-term results. Attendees will leave with a practical lens for identifying which habits are helping their business and which ones may be quietly holding it back.

Track: TUNNEL

Description:

Hear proven strategies from veteran self-serve/IBA operators on how to grow your business, navigate a crowded market, and confidently bet on your success.

Panel:

Moderator: TBA

Speakers:

Marc Tyndale, Fast Lane Auto Wash, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Kleen-Rite Corp.

Keith Lutz, Vice President, Kleen-Rite Corp.

Cameron Alleman, Mermaid Car Wash, President of the Carwash Association of Pennsylvania

Track: SELF-SERVE

Description:

By the time your team member finishes their opening line, the customer has already made up their mind. Research shows that first impressions form in less than a second, and those impressions shape everything that follows: whether the customer trusts your team, whether they engage with your recommendation, and whether they upgrade or drive off with the basic wash.

This interactive session is built for managers who want to coach their teams to win the most important minute of every sale. We will break down what customers see, what they hear, what your team should ask, and what they should offer in those critical first 60 seconds. Then we will move into the harder moments that follow: handling objections, reading the room, and confidently asking for the close. Expect role play, real scenarios, and a simple coaching framework you can put to work the moment you get home.

Track: MANAGER

Description:
Another show favorite, Carwash Con's Keynote Speaker and author of Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance will share his insights on how to achieve market dominance through creating a unique and memorable customer experience. Schmidt, former Director of Communications, was instrumental in Harley-Davidson’s celebrated turnaround.

Ken Schmidt has taught more than 1,000 companies worldwide how to be dominators. Anyone looking to become more competitive or grow customer loyalty can learn from this outspoken and provocative thought leader.

Description:

Prior to lunch, we will celebrate a number of honorees in the industry for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to carwashing and Carwash Con East.

Honors include:
2 Emerging Leader Awards
Recognizing two rising leaders who are already making an impact in the car wash industry and showing strong promise for the future.

Most Distinguished Person
Honoring an individual whose leadership, character, and long-standing contributions have helped shape and strengthen the car wash community.

Hall of Fame
Celebrating a respected industry leader whose career has left a lasting mark on carwashing and whose influence continues to inspire others. This individual has also been an avid supporter of Carwash Con East (formerly the NRCC).

Giving Back *New in 2026!
Recognizing a person, company, or organization that goes above and beyond to support their community, a not-for-profit or organization, while representing the best of the car wash industry.

Description:

Due to popular demand, our Welcome Reception has a new location and time this year! We are bringing this long-standing Carwash Con East networking favorite right onto the show floor, making it even easier for attendees to gather, connect and keep the energy going after a full day of education and exhibits.

Open to all attendees, the Welcome Reception is a great chance to relax, meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, and enjoy the car wash community in a fun, casual setting. Whether you are catching up with customers, meeting vendors, talking with operators, or making new connections, this is one of those events where business conversations happen naturally.

Attendees will receive two drink tickets and enjoy reimagined Jersey Shore snacks (because we know carwashers love good food), along with a $500 cash giveaway and raffle prizes, all compliments of our long-standing sponsor, OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions.

A big thank you to OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions (and especially sister brand ICS) for their continued support of Carwash Con East and for helping make this favorite networking event even better.

Description:
Before you head home, start the final day with a hearty breakfast, real conversation, and ideas you can actually bring back to your wash. This Self Serve/IBA session brings together forward-thinking operators who have chosen to reinvest in their sites, improve their operations, and keep finding new ways to grow. Hear a candid panel discussion from seasoned operators who know what it takes to stay competitive in the self-serve and IBA market. If you own, operate, or support a self-serve or IBA wash, this is a session worth your time. See what other operators are trying, what has paid off, what they would do differently, and where they see the biggest opportunities ahead. Grab breakfast, ask questions, and head home with fresh ideas for making your wash stronger, smarter and more profitable.
 
Panel:

Moderator:

Cameron Alleman, Mermaid Car Wash, Mechanicsburg, PA

David Melhorn, Kleen Mist Car Wash, Shamokin Dam, PA

David DuGoff, College Park Car Wash, College Park, MD

Randy Donatelli, The Car Wash Company, Wampum, PA

Description:
Start the final day with breakfast, fresh ideas, and a hands-on session built for managers who want to get better at leading their teams.

This interactive workshop will help managers understand the mindset behind effective coaching and why it matters at the wash. Attendees will learn a practical coaching process they can bring home, use with their teams, and build into everyday operations.

This is not a sit-back-and-scroll session.

Come ready to participate, talk through real management situations, and practice the kinds of conversations that help employees improve, stay engaged, and do their best work. With breakfast included and role practice built in, this is a smart, useful way to start the day before heading back to the show floor and then your wash.

Description:
Tony Brigmon is serious about having fun, serious fun with serious results, that is. He is a former Southwest Airlines Insider and former face of their renowned culture as their official Ambassador of Fun during their Golden Era. This fun was the power of positivity that helped catapult a small carrier into a force that changed the airline industry.
 
Today Brigmon teaches organizations and businesses how fun drives serious results, drawing from Southwest’s best practices that earned them industry-leading recognition for service and employee engagement. Brigmon is one of Meeting & Conventions Magazine’s Top 10 Most Wanted speakers.