With two weeks before show time, Carwash Con East (CCE), formerly The Northeast Regional Carwash Convention (NRCC), the premier gathering for professional carwash operators, suppliers and industry leaders on the East Coast, has grown its show floor to 423 exhibits, according to 2026 Show CoChair Dave DuGoff. “We have rebranded, expanded our reach and continued to elevate our education and it’s paying off,” he said. “This show has energy and excitement that will catapult us into the future. And, we just broke our all-time exhibit record!”
Carwash Con East, October 5-7 at the Atlantic City Convention Center, has only a few booths still available while the last chance to register off site ends October 1.
“In addition to breaking our exhibit record, our pre-registration numbers are also up,” said Co-Chair Mike Ashley. “Our board and staff work really hard to produce a terrific event that not only showcases cutting-edge equipment and technology, but diverse education in an intimate setting where life-long friendships are forged.”
Expanded, Diverse Education
Attendees can expect an expanded and dynamic mix of industry-leading speakers and educational seminars, including dedicated programming for managers, insights into cutting-edge technology, and valuable opportunities to connect and network with fellow industry professionals at this year’s Carwash Con East.
You can view the entire educational lineup at carwashconeast.com, but here are a few highlights:
- Keynote Speaker Ken Schmidt with Harley-Davidson shares insights on achieving market dominance.
- Southwest Airline’s Tony Brigmon explores the keys to stellar service and meaningful employee engagement.
- Kyle Doyle presents “The Hidden Habits of High-Performing Washes,” revealing practices that can help elevate wash performance.
- Mel/Mike Ohlinger tackle visibility and AI search, helping operators understand how to stand out in an increasingly AI-driven world.
- Two self-service sessions focused on competing effectively and doubling down on what works.
- Two dedicated manager tracks covering sales and coaching strategies.
- The traditional Early Bird panel returns with a wide-ranging conversation on all things “carwashing”.
- And a fan favorite is back — the Virtual Carwash Tour! New this year, the tour is open to every attendee and features four different wash models, offering a behind-the-scenes look at a variety of operations from the comfort of the Atlantic City Convention Center.
“We are incredibly excited about our rebrand and what it represents for the future of our organization, but we’re even more excited about what we’ve created for this year’s show,” said Co-Chair Mike Ashley. “Our board continues to challenge itself to reimagine our mission, elevate the attendee experience, and deliver meaningful value to both our attendees and vendors. This year’s Carwash Con East is shaping up to be an exceptional event, and if you haven’t registered yet, now is the time. We don’t want you to miss it!”
About the Event
Carwash Con East (formerly the Northeast Regional Carwash Convention) brings together professional carwash owners, operators, manufacturers and suppliers to share knowledge, explore new technologies and build lasting industry connections.
The annual event was first held in Newport, RI, in 1988. The three-day event is conceptualized and facilitated by representatives from the Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ), Mid-Atlantic Carwash Association (MCA), New England Carwash Association (NECA) and the New York State Car Wash Association (NYSCWA). The 2026 host is the Mid-Atlantic Carwash Association with Dave DuGoff and Mike Ashley serving as co-chairmen.
Carwash Con East is October 5-7, 2026, at the Atlantic City Convention Center with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino serving as the host hotel.
For more information and to register visit carwashconeast.com or call 800/868-8590.
