CCA Car Wash Education Session Highlights Industry Insights at CARWACS 2026

The Canadian Carwash Association (CCA) Car Wash Education Session took place on March 10, 2026, at the Toronto Congress Centre as part of CARWACS 2026. The morning program brought together operators, suppliers, and industry experts for learning, discussion, and peer connection.

Emceed by Jeremy Enns, Owner-Operator of Enns Wash & Shine, the session opened with remarks from CCA President Michael Saunders, Service Coordinator–Canada with Mark VII Equipment, along with Barry Munro, Chief Development Officer with the Canadian Spinal Research Organization.

The keynote session, “Under the Hood: Where the Canadian Car Wash Industry Is Headed,” explored trends shaping the industry.

• Lars Hecht, Owner and Consultant with Car Wash Consulting, shared strategies to help operators unlock hidden potential in their businesses.

• Ryan Mallough, Vice President of Legislative Affairs & Communications with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), spoke about the economic challenges facing Canadian entrepreneurs.

• Matthew Bristow, Director of Chemical Sales – North America with Mark VII, highlighted how chemistry plays a key role in wash quality and customer retention.

Following the presentations, attendees participated in Peer Mentor Circles, small-group discussions focused on sharing practical experiences and ideas.

Topics included tunnel operations, self-serve and in-bay automatic strategies, marketing, optimizing chemistry, and a CFIB Q&A on issues affecting Canadian small businesses. The sessions were facilitated by industry leaders including Michael Howe (WashLinks), Jeremy Enns, Lars Hecht, Matthew Bristow and Jason Wight (Mark VII), and Ryan Mallough.

The program also featured Associate Member Show & Tell videos, highlighting new products, services, and innovations supporting the industry. Click below to watch the showcase. 

The session concluded with the CCA Awards, recognizing excellence, leadership, and community impact within the Canadian car wash industry. You can read the full awards recap and see the winners here:
https://www.canadiancarwash.ca/page-18136

The morning once again demonstrated the value of bringing the industry together to learn, share ideas, and celebrate success. Check out the pictures here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCMVSy