2025 NRCC Educational Lineup

Monday, October 6

3:00-5:00 pm
Virtual Carwash Tour
Host: Tom Hoffman, Jr., NYSCWA, Hoffman Car Wash, Albany, NY
Room: TBD

Join Tom Hoffman, Jr. while we expand our horizons for a
“virtual” tour of four innovative and forward-thinking
washes from the comfort of the Atlantic City Convention Center. This standing-room only seminar is a “must-see!”

Featured Sites
Bob Autowash, Netherlands (Mark de Graaf) Belt Express
Valet Car Wash, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (Mike Black) Exterior, detailing, oil change, self-serve bays
Fast Lane Auto Wash, Harrisburg/Hershey, PA (Marc Tyndale) Self Serve
Car Wash Express, Savannah, GA (Robert Greene) Self Serve

6:30-8:30 pm
Simoniz Celebration: Cocktails & Conversation
Hollywood Ballroom, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

All attendees are welcome to attend this outstanding Simoniz Celebration thanks to the long-time NRCC supporter, sponsor and exhibitor. This exceptional opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow operators and suppliers will set the tone for an exceptional 35th NRCC!

Pre-registration is required. The registration link will be available at nrccshow.com prior to the show.

Tuesday, October 7

7:15-8:15 am *Buffet breakfast starts at 7:00 am NEW TIME!!!
Early Bird Seminar
Moderator: John Shalbey, Jr., NECA/Rojo Car Wash/Triple Play Car Wash, Norwood, MA
Room: TBD

Moderated by John Shalbey, Jr., this show favorite is a candid, unscripted
panel discussion with seasoned operators and a guest who will answer any and all questions relating to carwashing. Ask or text questions at the event, as well as before to info@nrccshow.com. The only topic off limits is pricing!

Panelists
* NYSCWA, Amanda Kubarek, K & S Car Wash, Auburn, NY
* MCA, Joseph Noel, Autobell Car Wash, Charlotte, NC
* CWONJ, Dino Nicoletta, Asbury Circle Car Wash, Neptune, NJ
Guest: Rich DiPaolo, Professional Carwashing & Detailing magazine

8:30-9:30 am
Breakout Session:
Why Your Website is Costing You Customers (and How to Fix it Without Breaking the Bank) with
Mel Olinger with OhmCo Carwash Marketing, Neenah, WI
Back in the day, if customers didn’t spot your carwash from the road, they found you in the Yellow Pages. Today, your website is the new Yellow Pages — and if it’s slow, outdated, or hard to find, you’re losing business before they even pull in. In this fast-paced session, we’ll uncover the biggest website mistakes in the carwash industry and what modern, high-converting sites do differently. Whether you’re building your first site or leveling up a growing brand, you’ll leave with clear, actionable strategies to make your website your best-performing location.
Room: TBD

9:45-10:45 am
Breakout Session:
Analyzing Membership Trends & Sales Data with Kyle Doyle with IgniteWash/Rinsed, New York, NY
Room: TBD

CONCURRENT SESSIONS
9:45-10:45 am *NEW SELF-SERVICE PROGRAM
Breakout Session:
Self Serve Success Seminar
Industry experts with decades of experience will share valuable knowledge about effective soap strategies, smart business practices, and upgrading your equipment — all focused on the self-serve and inbay carwash segment. Learn how to maximize profit and space at your business! Join Kleen-Rite’s team of industry professionals to discuss bringing your self-serve/inbay operation to the next level.

Presenters

• Phil Donnelly, Kleen-Rite Operations/Maintenance
  Better known as Fix-It Phil, he handles operation and maintenance at the shop and company wash while developing innovative self-serve machinery.
• Keith Lutz, Kleen-Rite Vice President
  A veteran of the company since his college days, Keith is committed to his customers, company and community.
• Mike McKonly Kleen-Rite President
  Mike has been in the industry his entire life, learning the ropes and gaining his own business prowess form his father, Kleen-Rite founder, Harold McKonly.
• Marc Tyndale, Kleen-Rite Director of Strategic Partnerships, carwash owner.
  Marc is an operator, industry veteran and entrepreneur. He uses his distribution, installation and service experience developing equipment and washing a lot of cars.

Room: TBD

9:45-10:45 am *MANAGER TRACK SEMINAR
Breakout Session:
How to Have Difficult Conversations with Customers/Staff with
Col. Pilar McDermott, Thayer Leadership, West Point, NY
Colonel (Retired) Pilar McDermott uses her personal experiences from her time in service to illustrate Why Hard Conversations Matter. Having served in a variety of command and staff positions, during her 27-year Army career, including command of the largest field artillery battery in the Army at the time, Pilar explains why candid conversations are necessary to begin moving in a positive direction. Respect for self, for the other person, and for the organization is important to lay the foundation. Individuals and teams need to be aligned in values, and this is created through an environment of autonomy, trust and culture.
What you say and do is on the surface — how you prioritize, measure, and reward is below. Pilar discusses the challenges of creating accountability and lays out the steps to help achieve goals as an individual and as a team. Hard conversations don’t just build character; they reveal it.
Room: TBD

11:00-11:50 am
Keynote Session:
The Power of the Learning Moment Culture and How to Achieve It with WD-40’s Garry Ridge
The former CEO will show you how to create a work culture where everyone thrives. He is a globally-recognized leadership expert who teaches us how to cultivate belonging, trust and learning through trail and error — and humor.
Check out two of Garry’s presentations on the NRCC home page and take his “Dumbassery” quiz to determine how and where you can improve upon your leadership skills.
Room: TBD

12:00-1:00 pm
Award’s Luncheon
Moderated by Co-Chairs Walt Hartl, Hoffman Car Wash, Albany, NY, and Chris Kubarek, K & S Car Wash, Auburn, NY
Emerging Leaders
Most Distinguished Person
Hall of Fame
Room: TBD

1:00-6:00 pm
Exhibits Open

6:00-7:00 pm
Welcome Reception
Open to all attendees!
‘Jersey Snacks, Beer and Wine for all!
$500 cash giveaway
2 additional raffle prizes *2nd raffle added this year!
Noise-cancelling head phones and a drone!
Room: ACCC Atrium

This event is sponsored by ICS.

Wednesday, October 8

CONCURRENT SESSIONS
8:45-9:45 am *Buffet breakfast starts at 8:30am
Breakout Session: Industry Leaders Talk Keys to Success Today & Beyond
Moderator: Chris Kubarek, NRCC Co-Chairman, K & S Car Wash, Auburn, NY
Room: TBD

Panel:

• John Rousch, Express Wash Concepts, owner of 100 express carwash locations across six states under the Moo Moo Express Car Wash, Flying Ace Express Car Wash, Clean Express Auto Wash, Green Clean Express Auto Wash and Bee Clean Express Car Wash brands in OH, MI, PA and VA.
• Dave Ellard, ICA President and former owner of Triple Play Car Washes in MA. Triple Play has two sites in the greater Boston market and is now owned and operated by RoJo Car Washes.
• Mark Curtis, Co-Founder and Chairman of Splash Car Washes, Milford, CT. The company operates 60+ locations in CT, NY, MA and VT, and has been in operation for 40 years.
• Jose Costa, Whistle Express CEO, formerly of Driven Brands and Bojangles’ Chief Growth Officer, joined the company in 2022. Under his leadership a new era of growth and opportunity for Whistle Express Car Wash is shining brighter than ever for the company’s associates and communities in which it operates.

8:45-9:45 am *Buffet breakfast starts at 8:30am

Breakout Session: Self-Serve Power Panel (Early Bird Format)
Join an esteemed panel of industry insiders for an engaging, unscripted discussion about the hottest topics in the self-serve space. The panel will offer decades of combined experience. From upkeep and maintenance to marketing and ownership, they will share insights on how to adapt and thrive in the world of self-serve carwashing. The informative, yet casual, seminar is a valuable opportunity to network, share ideas, ask questions and keep up-to-date on the latest happenings of the industry!
Panel: Coming Soon!
Room: TBD

10:00-1:00 pm
Exhibits Open