This year’s theatrette program brought together Australian and international experts to explore the trends, technologies and challenges shaping the future of the car wash industry.
Day 1 focused on the growing influence of AI, the opportunities presented by membership models and the impact of weather on customer demand. Steve Sammartino highlighted how AI and robotics will transform business operations, while Frank Cazares shared lessons from North America’s membership boom, emphasising the importance of balancing membership growth with site capacity. Paul “Burty” Burt demonstrated how weather insights can help operators anticipate demand and improve staffing and marketing strategies.
Day 2 explored global industry trends, practical AI applications and the broader challenges facing operators. Eric Wulf shared international insights into memberships, technology, labour and changing customer expectations, while David Mau demonstrated how AI can streamline operations through targeted promotions, membership retention and automated administration. The program concluded with an industry panel discussing the impact of current trends across building design, insurance, finance, employment and workplace safety.
Across both days, the key message was clear: embracing technology, understanding customer behaviour and adapting to industry changes will be essential for car wash businesses looking to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth.
For those of you who couldn’t make it to Adelaide, we will be uploading the presentation sessions very soon so you can catch-up on what you missed. Stay tuned!
ACWA would like to thank its theatrette sponsor, Carwash Solutions Australia x Sonny’s The Carwash Factory.
