The Coin Laundry Association (CLA) hosted its premier event, Excellence in Laundry, from May 5-7, 2026, at the Hilton Beachfront Resort and Spa on Hilton Head Island, SC. Alongside this, the 3rd annual “Excellent Women in Laundry” event kicked off on May 5, recognized by the CLA as the premier gathering exclusively for women in the industry.
The CLA’s 2026 Excellence in Laundry Conference welcomed over 300 professionals. The event delivered educational sessions centered around the industry’s shift toward tech automation, multi-store growth, and robust wash-and-dry-fold operations. Attendees engaged with industry-leading speakers, dynamic panel discussions, and structured networking roundtables.
The multi-day agenda highlighted several key aspects:
- Strategic Keynotes: Sessions by Tyler Gillum (Savannah Bananas) focused on building organizational culture, while Mark Herbick (Pursant LLC) detailed enterprise value and exit planning.
- Breakout Sessions: Included expert panels on what makes a laundromat highly investable and what to be aware of when entering the business.
Since 2012, Eastern Funding has been a dedicated sponsor of Excellence in Laundry. As Strategic Corporate Allies we are proud to strengthen our association with both this wonderful conference and the Coin Laundry Association.
Our team connected with industry-leading operators and suppliers. Eastern Funding Loan officers Brendan Ristaino, Mabel Jimenez, Austin Larson and Matthew Westphal chatted with several investors looking for financing for their next laundromat project.
Tony Regan, Eastern Funding’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing was a panelist in a session focused on the future of laundry: “The Laundromat Industry at a Crossroads”. This informative panel sparked countless conversation amongst the audience.
One of the standout events was the Eastern Funding breakout session titled “Truth in Laundry”. This session was moderated by Brian Grell. The panelists – Ken Wimberly, Charles Measley, and Ryan Spicer – answered questions from the audience and provided clear, direct responses. The session’s aim to offer unfiltered answers was definitely accomplished.
Excellence in Laundry really knocked it out of the park with another fantastic event, bringing industry leaders together to connect, learn, and broaden their perspectives. Eastern Funding was happy to be a part of it!
To learn more about Eastern Funding’s financing solutions for laundry businesses, visit the Laundry Financing page.