PWNA’s 1st Annual Education Summit:Building the Next Wave of Member Training

The end of the year can be a busy stretch for business owners. Between finishing jobs, managing expenses, and planning for next year, tax preparation can easily slide down the list. Setting aside time to review your finances now can help make filing season more manageable. For U.S. business owners, a useful starting point is straightforward: organize your records, understand where your business stands, and discuss questions with your tax professional before making major financial decisions.

Get a first look at what's next for PWNA education, including new training and certification opportunities built to help exterior cleaning pros grow.

NEW CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON CALIFORNIA'S 2028 PRESSURE WASHER RULES

Facility managers are invited to see firsthand how the Apellix Power Wash Drone eliminates fall-risk exposure and rope-access costs on naval and government assets JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Apellix, the Jacksonville, Florida-based manufacturer of autonomous power washing drones, will host a live demonstration for facility managers and building service teams showing how autonomous exterior cleaning removes elevated-work risk from maintenance programs. The demonstration will show the Apellix Power Wash Drone performing a live cleaning pass on the exterior of a decommissioned Navy destroyer — a surface with the kind of complex geometry, height, and access challenges when cleaning over the water that facility teams face on many commercial buildings — without a technician ever leaving the ground. Apellix will hold a live demonstration of its Power Wash Drone aboard the USS Orleck Naval Museum, 610 E Bay St, Jacksonville, Florida, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The USS Orleck (DD-886), a decommissioned Gearing-class Navy destroyer, offers a fitting backdrop for the demonstration: Apellix's systems are National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant and are flown by the U.S. Army, and the event will showcase the drone's AirShift and AirTrace AI autonomy features on the exterior of a historic naval vessel. "Apellix drones are powerful tools, but the pilot remains the commander. Apellix Intelligence (AI) is a copilot for cleaning drone operations - reducing the cognitive workload of flying, helping operators stay focused on the mission, and providing the insights needed to measure and document the project's success." — Shivam Tripathy, Robotics Engineer at Apellix and technical lead in the development of Apellix Intelligence Event Details Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Location: USS Orleck Naval Museum, 610 E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL 32202  About the USS Orleck Before the USS Orleck became a floating museum in Jacksonville, parts of her radar scope were pulled out and used as props in Tom Hanks' WWII film Greyhound. The destroyer earned four battle stars in Korea, fired more than 11,000 rounds in Vietnam, and later served two decades in the Turkish Navy before returning to U.S. soil in 2000. On September 24, 2026, a very different kind of technology will fly along the USS Orleck: an autonomous drone, not enemy fire. About Apellix Apellix’ Power Wash Drone is the most widely deployed commercial cleaning drone worldwide, with active operators in 21 countries and 5 continents as of 2026. Founded in 2014, Apellix designs and manufactures autonomous drones for power washing, spray painting, inspection, and building maintenance. Apellix has National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant systems, employs disabled veterans, and is flown by the U.S. Army.

Some of the most valuable lessons in business do not happen in a classroom. They happen through honest conversations, shared experiences, and time spent with other business owners who understand the responsibilities and challenges that come with leadership. That is what makes The Summit Mastermind different. Taking place September 29–October 4, 2026, in Cabo San Lucas, The Summit brings together business owners, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders for a week focused on leadership, profitability, hiring, growth, family, and the future of business. Unlike a traditional trade show or convention, The Summit is not centered around vendor booths, product demonstrations, or technical training. Instead, it creates an environment where business owners can step away from the daily demands of running their companies and focus on the bigger picture. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with other driven professionals, exchange ideas, learn from different perspectives, and build relationships that extend beyond the event itself. These conversations can help business owners identify new opportunities, work through common challenges, and return home with practical ideas they can apply to their companies. Running a successful exterior cleaning business requires more than technical knowledge. It also requires strong leadership, effective systems, healthy teams, sound financial decisions, and a clear vision for the future. As companies grow, business owners often face new challenges involving hiring, delegation, profitability, culture, time management, and maintaining balance between their business and personal lives. The Summit Mastermind creates space to explore those challenges alongside other leaders who understand what it takes to build and manage a successful company. It is an opportunity to slow down, think strategically, and evaluate where your business is today, where you want it to go, and what may need to change to get there. As part of PWNA’s participation in The Summit, PWNA President Clint Reynolds, owner of HydroTech Solutions, will deliver a special State of the Industry presentation exclusively for attendees. His presentation will examine the trends, challenges, and opportunities currently shaping professional exterior cleaning. It will also explore how successful contractors are adapting to a changing marketplace and what business owners should be considering as they plan for the next several years. The State of the Industry presentation is one part of a larger week designed to strengthen both businesses and the people leading them. Join PWNA and other business leaders in Cabo San Lucas for a week of stronger strategies, valuable relationships, fresh perspectives, and memorable experiences. PWNA members can save 10% on Summit Mastermind registration with code 1029PWNA through August 15. Learn more and register at www.thesummitmastermind.com/speakers .