In the home services industry, there are few opportunities as impactful as the Service World Expo, an event that has grown from humble beginnings into a cornerstone of professional development, networking, and inspiration for contractors nationwide.
Back in the mid-2010s, home service contractors faced a challenge: while conferences existed in other industries, there were few tailored specifically for them. For many, it felt like a gap in both resources and community.
Thomas Peregrino remembers being part of that early wave of members who recognized the need. “Going all the way back to 2014, there were few conferences out there for the home trades,” he says. “So as our membership at Service Nation continued to grow, the founders saw that they needed to figure out a way to gather all these contractors together. There was a big need for that, where they can all get together, share best practices, network, build a community. And so out of that need came the very first Service World.”
Since its first event 10 years ago, Service World Expo has evolved into a dynamic annual gathering where thousands of contractors, vendors, and industry leaders meet to learn, grow, and support one another.
Conferences can often fall into the trap of feeling like thinly veiled sales events, but Service World Expo has intentionally steered clear of that model. As Daryl Stevenson, Head of Service Nation, explains, the founders of Service Nation set a clear standard from the beginning.
“I just read an article this morning about someone who went to a conference and said it was one big sales pitch,” he tells us. “And the founders really wanted to make sure that’s not what was happening. We’ve really kept that idea alive, that this is not a sales pitch to come buy something. This is really about, how do you succeed, how do you run your business better, and, when you get there, how do you exit?”
That distinction is what makes Service World Expo unique. Every breakout session, keynote, and networking opportunity is designed with the contractor in mind, providing takeaways that can be applied immediately to businesses of all sizes. For many attendees, the conference is about more than educational content; it’s about connection. Running a service business can often feel isolating. Contractors juggle staffing, customer service, operations, and growth challenges, often without peers who truly understand those struggles.
“The services business can feel like you’re alone a lot of times,” says Stevenson. “You’re out there struggling with all these issues and Service World Expo provides a time to come together with other contractors who have experienced the same exact thing. Some of them have overcome it, some of them are going through the same things. It’s nice to see the bonds form immediately.”
Over the years, those bonds have grown into lifelong friendships and support networks. Members often describe leaving the event with both practical business strategies and personal relationships that last far beyond the conference itself.
Unlike other industries where competition can create barriers, the culture at Service World Expo emphasizes lifting the industry as a whole. As Peregrino describes, contractors come together each year to share their hard-won lessons. “When a home service contractor is in the trenches, after a year they’re ready to take a break and share what they’ve learned,” he says. “The culture of Service World provides that avenue where they can reminisce, share lessons, and get re-energized to go back out for another year.”
That sense of community is reinforced by the intentional design of the expo’s agenda. Built around the seven pillars of operational excellence, the programming covers marketing, leadership, financials, operations, and more, ensuring that attendees can focus on the areas most relevant to their current challenges.
Peregrino adds that first-time attendees should never fear walking into the conference without connections; the event is structured so that networking happens naturally, through breakout sessions, hallway conversations, and even informal gatherings over meals or at the bar.
The impact of Service World Expo is perhaps best understood through the personal stories the event has spurred, and Peregrino shares two powerful examples from his own experience. At one event in Florida, he found himself unexpectedly welcomed into a group of highly successful contractors. “They brought me into their little circle after hours,” he recalls. “These were businesses that were double, triple, quadruple my size at that point, but they said, ‘we’re going to spend a couple of hours with you, Tom, working on your business.’ And they did. I remember some of the changes I made coming back from that event that made a huge difference in my organization.”
Years later in Phoenix, he witnessed another life-changing moment. “There was a couple I had been speaking with, and the wife pulled me aside. She was crying, telling me the difference that Service Nation and coming to these events had made in her husband’s life—that she saw a difference in him, in the company, and now she understood why he keeps coming back. That’s just one of many priceless memories.”
A critical component of Service World Expo is its exhibitor network. But again, unlike other conferences, these interactions extend beyond the trade floor. Exhibitors are encouraged to truly integrate into the event, spending time with contractors during sessions, meals, and even after-hours gatherings.
As Peregrino explains, “Being able to have a venue where you can meet with an exhibitor after hours at a dinner and maybe ask some very direct questions, cut to the chase—that’s invaluable. Exhibitors really enjoy that because they can share above and beyond just what their product or service is. They can tell you a little bit more about the added value, their unique selling proposition, and how they can really help contractors.”
This level of openness not only builds trust but also creates long-term partnerships that extend well beyond the event itself.
For Stevenson, joining Service Nation wasn’t just a career move; it was a calling. He was drawn to the company’s commitment to its members and the passion of the people involved. “I want to be someplace where the company is making a difference,” he says. “During the interview process, I had a chance to talk to one of the members, and the passion they had about Service Nation was incredible. That’s what brought me to the company in the first place.”
This passion translates directly into how Service World Expo is planned and delivered. The team works more than a year in advance, constantly taking in member feedback to ensure the event reflects current challenges and opportunities in the industry. For example, with artificial intelligence becoming increasingly relevant, the 2025 event includes dedicated sessions on AI applications for home service businesses. “We’re hearing these issues, so we make sure we have something to help people solve those issues at the event,” says Stevenson.
Beyond the networking and stories, the value of attending Service World Expo is backed by hard data. Peregrino, who once attended as a contractor and later analyzed metrics as part of the Service Nation team, saw the proof firsthand.
“The highest-performing contractors within Service Nation clearly attended the vast majority of our conferences and rarely missed a Service World Expo. When we tracked metrics and KPIs, the contractors with the most successful performance, top-line revenue growth, bottom-line EBITDA growth, attended the conferences. It was proof of what I was seeing as a member: you go to these events, you’re going to grow. It was that simple.”
With a decade of history now behind it, Service World Expo continues to expand its influence and impact. Stevenson and Peregrino agree that the future lies in keeping the event fresh, relevant, and member driven. Planning for 2026 is already underway, with an emphasis on staying ahead of industry trends while maintaining the welcoming, supportive culture that has defined the event since its inception.
Perhaps most importantly, the event remains open to all contractors in the home services industry, not just Service Nation members. As Stevenson emphasizes, “Even if you’re not a member, this is for anybody in the home industry. You are not going to hear a bunch of Service Nation material at this Expedition; you’re going to hear industry seminars on how to perform.” For contractors looking to take a step back from the daily grind, refocus on the bigger picture, and gain strategies for long-term success, Service World Expo offers a unique opportunity.
Over the past decade, Service World Expo has become more than just a conference; it’s a catalyst for growth, a hub of innovation, and a true community for contractors. From meaningful friendships to measurable business success, the stories from attendees speak louder than any advertisement.
With passionate leadership, a member-first philosophy, and a clear focus on the future, Service World Expo is poised to remain a vital part of the home services landscape for years to come.
