Heartland Carwash Association sets 2027 equipment show for Chicago area
The regional trade group will hold its Product & Equipment Show March 23-24, 2027, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, with room for about 80 exhibitors.
By The Car Wash News Staff
2 min read
The Heartland Carwash Association has scheduled its 2027 Product & Equipment Show for March 23 and 24, 2027, moving the event to the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, Illinois, roughly 30 minutes from Chicago. The announcement was reported by Professional Carwashing & Detailing.
Carrying the theme "Driving the Future of Car Washing," the two-day event is aimed at wash owners, operators, suppliers and manufacturers across the Midwest. Organizers say the program will be built around three focus areas: intelligent equipment, operational excellence and customer retention.
What the show will offer
The 2027 show will have space for roughly 80 exhibitors, and the association is encouraging companies to reserve booths early. A range of sponsorship options will also be available for businesses that want added visibility before, during and after the event.
The association framed the venue choice as a way to reach more professionals across its territory. The Tinley Park Convention Center offers modern exhibit space, and its proximity to Chicago makes it easier for attendees and exhibitors traveling from around the region to reach the show.
Executive Director and Publisher Kristen Corbisiero said the goal is to make the event worthwhile the moment attendees arrive. She said the aim is for attendees to discover new products, connect with experts and leave with ideas they can apply. The Chicago-area location, she added, creates "an incredible opportunity to connect with carwash professionals" across the region and beyond.
Why it matters for operators
Regional shows like the Heartland event give operators a lower-cost, closer-to-home alternative to the large national conventions, which matters for owners of single sites and small chains who cannot easily send teams across the country. The Chicago-area location broadens the pool of operators within a reasonable drive, so Midwest washes should mark the March 2027 dates now if they want to compare equipment and vendors in person.
The three stated pillars point to where the association sees the industry heading. Intelligent equipment signals more automation and connected systems on the exhibit floor, operational excellence points to labor and throughput efficiency, and customer retention reflects the ongoing shift toward membership-driven revenue. Operators planning capital purchases or membership program changes can use the show to vet options directly.
For suppliers and manufacturers, the roughly 80 exhibitor slots and early-reservation push suggest space may be limited. Companies targeting Midwest buyers should weigh booking early, and operators looking to negotiate should remember that shows are often where vendors present their best pricing and demonstrate new products face to face.
