HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — CLA’s Excellence in Laundry Conference returns in May, bringing laundromat operators, investors and industry suppliers together for the association’s flagship educational event.
Slated for May 5-7 here at the Hilton Beachfront Resort and Spa, the biennial gathering is positioned as a premier forum for experienced, multi-store operators seeking practical strategies to grow and modernize their businesses.
The three-day conference will offer a mix of education sessions, panel discussions and interactive roundtables designed to address today’s operating challenges. Key areas such as marketing, technology adoption, staffing, customer service, and scaling store portfolios will be the focus.
Two keynote presentations anchor the 2026 program. Tyler Gillum, head coach of the barnstorming Savannah Bananas baseball team, is slated to open with a session on building organizational culture and achieving team buy-in — lessons drawn from his experience developing a fan-focused sports brand.
Mark Herbick, founder and CEO of Pursant LLC, will address exit planning and enterprise value in his closing keynote. He’ll explore how operators can position their businesses for future sale or transition while maximizing financial returns.
In addition to classroom-style learning, networking remains a central component of Excellence in Laundry. Attendees will have opportunities to connect with peers during scheduled events and informal gatherings, as well as engage directly with manufacturers, distributors and service providers showcasing technologies and solutions aimed at improving store performance.
Conference registration is currently open, with tiered pricing for members and non-members ahead of the May 1 deadline. Reservations in CLA’s room block are available through April 14 before its release back to the resort.
The conference also coincides with Excellent Women in Laundry (EWIL), a separate but complementary program scheduled for May 5 that will focus on networking and professional development for women in the industry. EWIL requires separate registration; it can be bundled with an Excellence in Laundry ticket if desired.
To learn more about either event, visit its webpage:
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].
