Beyond the Squeegee: The Power of Community at IWCA 2026

When you operate a local business in the Ketchum, Sun Valley and Hailey area, it can be easy to put your head down and just focus on the daily work. But providing top-tier service means constantly looking for ways to improve. That’s why, this past February, I traded the Idaho winter for sunny Orlando, Florida, to attend the 2026 ELEVATE convention.

Hosted jointly by the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA) which Ketchum Window Cleaning is a member of, and the PWNA, the event brought together over a thousand cleaning professionals from across the country. For Ketchum Window Cleaning, this trip wasn't just about checking out the newest gear on the trade show floor. It was about something much more valuable: community.

Learning Together

Window cleaning might look straightforward from the ground, but mastering the craft - especially when it comes to strict ANSI/IWCA safety standards and new techniques - takes continuous education. In Orlando, I spent time in hands-on workshops and classes, trading notes with some of the best operators in the country.

A major highlight was connecting with Gabriel Gutierrez from Squeegee U University. We don't work in a vacuum in this industry; we share our wins, our challenges, and our techniques. When one of us learns a safer, more efficient way to tackle a difficult job, we all bring that knowledge back to our local clients.

Honoring Our Roots

While looking forward to the newest techniques is crucial, you can't truly appreciate where the industry is going without respecting where it's been. I have to give a massive shoutout to Craig Hendzel for putting together the Window Cleaning Museum at the event. Walking through and seeing the history of our trade on display was a grounding experience and a great reminder of the long legacy of hard work and innovation we are all a part of.

Celebrating Excellence

One of the highlights of the week was the awards dinner. Watching fellow window cleaners get recognized for their safety innovations and business excellence is incredibly inspiring. A massive congratulations is in order for Jason Gulick, who took home the well-deserved title of this year's Window Cleaner of the Year, taking the baton from last year's winner, Kory Klimas! Seeing that level of dedication on a national stage is a powerful reminder of the high bar we set for ourselves, and it only reinforces my commitment to bringing the absolute highest standards back to every residential and commercial job we take on.

The "Water Cooler" Moments

The real magic of the convention didn’t just happen in the classrooms; it happened in the hallways, over dinner, and during the downtime. I got to catch up with pros from all over the map, including spending some great time with the newly crowned Window Cleaner of the Year himself, Jason Gulick, alongside Mark Klodzinski from the Goo and Deed's Podcast as well as Thomas Wilson, a true passionate window cleaner.

I also had the distinct privilege of meeting several IWCA Presidents, including the immediate past president and the current presiding president. A huge shoutout goes to former IWCA President Greg Reid, who went out of his way to introduce me to a lot of incredibly cool people in the industry. Getting to talk shop and discuss the future of our trade with the very people who steer this industry forward was an incredible honor.

These informal conversations are where the real trade secrets are shared. Connecting with these guys is a huge part of what makes this community so strong. Building these relationships means that if we ever run into a unique architectural challenge or a stubborn stain on a job site, Ketchum Window Cleaning has a nationwide brain-trust of experts ready to offer advice.

Bringing It Home

A strong community elevates everyone. By investing time with my fellow professionals at IWCA 2026, I'm making sure that Ketchum Window Cleaning is bringing the absolute best practices back to Idaho. It’s about ensuring that every time we step onto your property, you truly Experience The Difference.

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