PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Convenience U CARWACS Trade Show + Networking
This year’s 2025 Convenience U CARWACS Show and conference, held during March 4th and 5th, 2025 at the International Centre, broke all records from last year.
The 2025 Convenience U CARWACS Show had 6,000 registered attendees, a sold out trade show with hundreds of exhibitors, a sold out C-StoreIQ Conference and Industry Dinner, and a record breaking attendance for the two-day event.
Some of the featured speakers at this year's show included Doug Stephens, futurist, founder and CEO, Retail Prophet, Eric Gagnon, vice-president corporate & regulatory affairs at Imperial Tobacco Canada, and Convenience Industry Council of Canada president and CEO Anne Kothawala. Attendees also had the privilege of listening to an inspiring speech by Jack Armstrong, broadcaster-voice of the Raptors. The morning culminated in the Future Leaders in Convenience + Car Wash Awards.
On the car wash side of the aisle, Canada's car wash operators had education sessions offering business insights and strategies by Ayaaz Jamal with Express Auto Wash, Jeremy Enns, owner and operator of Enns Wash & Shine and a keynote address given by Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
Returning once more to the trade show floor this year’s were several key industry leaders: LocalCoin, Canada’s largest Bitcoin ATM network; Tommy Car Wash Systems; Dover Fueling Solutions, Mark VII; Parkland and Granger Fuels all were there to speak on the latest innovations, technologies and services for Canada’s car wash and gas station operations.
On the convenience side, Lotus Sustainables was there showcasing a turnkey reusable bag program and Nestlé Canada’s booth was busy bringing in trade show attendees looking to tastes some of their newest offerings for convenience stores.
Back by popular demand, and larger than before, was the 2025 Beer Garden and the NEW Sip Lounge, giving attendees a chance to sample a wide range of wines, read-to-drink-cocktails and beers. Some of this year’s exhibitors included: Asahi, Molson Coors, Sleeman Breweries, Cowbell Brewing Company, Labatt, Muskoka, Steam Whistle, Collective Arts, and Amsterdam Brewing Company.
"It was incredible to witness the industry come together once again for this premier event, uniting the convenience, fuel, and car wash sectors under one roof. The record-breaking attendance, sold-out trade show, C-StoreIQ conference and Industry Dinner underscore the industry's need for these valuable connections and insights. Convenience Store News Canada is proud to host The Convenience U CARWACS Show every year. It's Canada's only national event dedicated to the entire industry, and we look forward to continuing to foster growth, collaboration, and a stronger industry together."- Sandra Parente, senior vice-president, Grocery & Convenience, Canada, EnsembleIQ
Highlights and photos from the Trade Show Floor
As with every Convenience U CARWACS show, each of the two days began with well-attended education sessions and panels looking at the impact of AI on the convenience industry, consumer buying trends and anxieties during this time of tariff and economic uncertainty, unlocking foodservice opportunities and strategies for building customer loyalty and revenue in one’s car wash operations.
More photos from the Trade Show Floor
READ: A focus on Beverage Alcohol at The Convenience U CARWACS Show
More photos from The Show Floor
More photos from The Trade Show
Networking
Day 1 ended with a networking and celebratory Cocktail Hour, as well at the Industry Dinner, sponsored by OLG and Chameleon Digital Media.
The dinner featured an informative keynote from Suzanne Gardiner, general manager commercial operations - Canada, The Mark Anthony Group. She shared valuable information about top brands, consumption patterns and trends for summer 2025.
