The Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association announced that over 200 booths have already been reserved for the Drycleaning & Laundry Expo 2000 convention and exhibit.
The show is scheduled to take place on September 16 and 17 of this year at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The 1998 show featured over 300 booths and had more than 3,000 attendees representing over 1,800 plants.
This year, the newest perc, petroleum, carbon dioxide and silicate machines will be on display, as well as a variety of American, European and Asian finishing equipment.
On Saturday, September 16, PDCA's program will feature marketing expert John Graham, author of the book Magnet Marketing. Graham is a nationally-known dynamic speaker who has worked with drycleaners and understands the challenges that the industry faces.
In his two-hour interactive presentation, Graham will demonstrate ways to make businesses grow and prosper, as well as stand out from competitors.
Sunday's program will be highlighted by a panel discussions on technologies for the future. Panelists will discuss what is new, what is changing and what is old, but still viable.
Room reservations are available at the Sheraton Atlantic City at Two Ocean Way for $125 single/double occupancy. To make a reservation, call (800) 325-3535 and mention the Drycleaning & Laundry Expo 2000.
Other hotels in the area include Caesar's for $135 single/double occupancy and the Holiday Inn Boardwalk at $169 single/double occupancy.
For more information, contact PDCA at 800/822-7352 or 215/830-8495.
After more than three years of hard work by the MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners, Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore has announced that the Small Business Environmental Compliance Assistance Fund is now ready for business.
The fund is a result of an agreement between the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Business Assistance.
The fund enables businesses in Virginia to obtain direct loans for the purpose of financing the purchase and installation of equipment that complies with the federal Clean Air Act, implements voluntary pollution prevention measures, or implements agricultural best management practices.
Loans up to $50,000 are available with an interest rate of 3 percent. Repayment terms are based on the borrower's ability to repay and the useful life of the equipment that is being purchased or the life of the best management practice being implemented.
Applying for a loan requires a $30 non-refundable application processing fee.
To be eligible for assistance, a business must employ 100 or fewer people and be classified as a small business under the federal Small Business Act.
Those interested in obtaining an application may contact Karen Aylward at the Virginia Department of Business Assistance at (804) 371-8184.
Hangers Cleaners continues to expand in the U.S. as it celebrated the opening of a new store in Lincoln, NE, on April 7.
The owner of the Hangers Lincoln franchise, Carl Rohman, joined former Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson for the event.
"This is an example of what can happen when government and private industry create a partnership," said Nelson, who is currently a U.S. Senate candidate. "This partnership used the financial incentive, rather than the command and control mode, to obtain an environmentally friendly process."
Kirk Kinsell, president and CEO of Micell Technologies, was also on hand for the opening ceremony. "Community stewardship is a driving principal for Hangers and for Micell Technologies," he said. "We are proud to offer the first environmentally friendly alternative to traditional drycleaning and proud to be partnering with a community leader like Carl Rohman. The Rohman family has served the Lincoln community for more than 100 years with outstanding cleaning services and selfless community service."
In order to implement Hangers technology into the plant, Rohman took advantage of a $390,000 ten-year, low interest loan from the state of Nebraska as part of a state program that encourages the reduction of hazardous waste.
Rohman already has plans to convert six other locations in Lincoln to the CO2 process in the near future, as well as opening four additional stores.
"What we're doing here at Hangers is cutting edge technology," said Rohman. "This is the future of drycleaning and we're proud to be the only cleaner in Nebraska offering this process."
Rohman's plant will utilize the liquid carbon dioxide process that was developed by Micell Technologies and has already been implemented in several Hangers locations in the eastern United States, including nine in North Carolina and four in Rhode Island.
Hangers also expects to open new stores in Florida, North Carolina and Texas. "We expect to have 100 stores across the U.S. by the end of this year," said Kinsell.
Haiges Machinery Inc. will hold an open house May 20-21 at its headquarters in Huntley, IL.
On display will be the new Genesys liquid carbon dioxide cleaning system; a new Green Earth drycleaning machine from Firbimatic along with the company's hydrocarbon and perc machines; the new rotating double buck shirt press from Ajax; and Forenta finishing equipment.
Factory representatives will be on hand to answer questions as will sales representatives from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30 and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. Refreshments will be served to attendees. For more information, call Angelique, (800) 542-2828.
The Illinois State Fabricare Association's drycleaning show, Chicago 2000, announced recently that its booth sales are now past the halfway point.
The show, which will be held at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center (www.odeumexpo.com) in Villa Park, IL, is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 5-6.
ISFA has reduced the show from a three-day format to a two-day format in order for the event to be more convenient to drycleaners and displayers, who will save on expenses.
The number of show hours, however, will be the same. Chicago 2000 will be open from noon until 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The Educational Task Force of ISFA plans to have a full educational program for the weekend and Illinois drycleaners will have the opportunity to fulfill their CEU (Continuing Educational Unit) requirements as required by the Illinois Drycleaner Star-Recognition Program at the show.
For more information on Chicago 2000, contact ISFA at (815) 729-0137.
The Michigan Institute of Laundering and Drycleaning's General Management Group will meet for its second two-day session on June 3 and 4 at the MILD office in East Lansing, MI.
The group, which is lead by industry speaker Carolyn Schwass, will meet a total of three times this year so that managers and drycleaning plant owners can share and discuss ideas on a variety of topics, including management techniques, employee relations and structuring fair pay increases to worthy employees.
The goal of the MILD General Management Group is to help businesses enhance their profitability by reducing the risk of using outdated or non-pertinent information.
The group first met on Feb. 5 and 6 of this year and will meet again on Oct. 7 and 8, also at the MILD office in East Lansing, MI.
Each session is limited to 8 participants, chosen on a first-come, first-served basis, so that attendees can engage in a one-on-one training atmosphere.
Cost for the series is $1200 for all six days, or $400 per two-day session.
Schwass will also be offering several seminars in the state of Michigan during June.
On June 6, she will present "Customer Service Representative Training" at the Ramada Inn in Marquette, MI.
Schwass will be presenting two other seminars at the same location in Marquette, MI. On June 7, she will discuss "Quality Assurance Training," and on June 8, she will cover "Communications in Tracking Spots & Stains for Customer Service Representatives."
Also on the horizon for MILD is a "Spot Right Seminar" series on June 24 and 25 in Clio, MI. The location for the session is Jan's Professional Cleaners.
For more information about MILD programs or the General Management Group, call (517) 337-2909.
The Professional Wetcleaning Network, in conjunction with The Center For Neighborhood Technology, will be holding its annual Wetcleaning Conference on June 3 and 4 of this year.
This year's conference will be held at the Midland Hotel, located at 172 W. Adams in Chicago, IL. The hotel is offering a conference rate of $119 for pre-registered guests. However, rooms availability is limited.
The two-day event will focus on educating, networking and marketing wetcleaners.
For more information on the conference and its agenda of activities, call Ann Hargrove at (708) 447-0879 or visit The Professional Wetcleaning Network's website at www.tpwn.net.
Wisconsin's Drycleaner Certification Program will be offering CED (Certified Environmental Drycleaner) and CPD (Certified Professional Drycleaner) exams on Thursday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m.
The next exam date is scheduled for November 9.
The program, which is specific to Wisconsin's state regulations as well as federal law, is open to all Wisconsin drycleaners and their supervisors or technicians.
Successful completion of the Wisconsin CED exam is essential to acquiring a third star in Wisconsin's Five-Star Environmental Recognition Program for Drycleaners. Cleaners looking to obtain a fourth star in the program must successfully pass the Wisconsin CPD exam.
WFI recommends that cleaners give themselves plenty of time to prepare for each exam. The suggested preparation period for the Wisconsin CED test is a minimum of three weeks. Cleaners planning to take the Wisconsin CPD exam are recommended to allow at least two months for preparation.
Both the CED and CPD exams are held simultaneously at the University of Wisconsin-Extension's offices, so a single applicant cannot take both tests on the same date.
Testing applicants will be notified of the exact location of the test no later than one week in advance of the testing date. Study manuals will be mailed within three days after the application and check have been received.
The Wisconsin CED exam costs $90 for WFI members and $115 for non-members. The Wisconsin CPD exam costs $150 for WFI members and $175 for non-members.
Cleaners wishing to renew their CED and CPD status will have an opportunity at the WFI Conference and Golf Outing on September 15 at the Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot, WI.
WFI urges anyone who plans to take the re-certification exam to do so before their certification expires. If cleaners do not retake the exam before the certification's expiration date, then the certification becomes voided and the drycleaning plant will lose its star recognition status.
The Wisconsin's Drycleaner Certification Program was developed by the University of Wisconsin-Extension Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center in conjunction with the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Center for Neighborhood Technology.
For more information, contact WFI at (414) 529-4707.
The North East Fabricare Association will offering New York certification classes at several locations in the coming months.
Sessions are scheduled for Buffalo, NY, on Friday through Sunday, May 19-21 and Long Island, NY, June 2-4
Hours for the classes are: 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Dates for Poughkeepsie, NY, classes are June 14-15 and 28-29. The Wednesday and Thursday sessions will run from 6 to 10 p.m.
For more information, call NEFA, (800) 442-6848.
A familiar piece of legislation dealing with drycleaners has resurfaced in the New Jersey Legislature in the form of A-87, the "New Jersey Dry Cleaning Business Assistance Act," the Neighborhood Cleaners Association-International reported.
As in the past, several NCA-I members are actively working in support of the bill.
The measure was introduced into the 209th legislature by Assemblyman John E. Rooney of District 39 (Bergen).
The act concerns perc-using drycleaning businesses and regulations pertaining to installation or upgrading drycleaning machines to fourth-generation or better equipment and providing a source of loan money for cleaners who need it.
Specifically, the language of the bill states that "it is in the public interest for the state to establish a loan fund and guarantee program for the owners of drycleaning businesses who require financial assistance to purchase and install 'Generation 4 drycleaning equipment' or more advanced equipment in order to minimize the public's exposure to perc emissions."
The proposal notes that "the use of perc has raised health concerns for employees and clients of drycleaners even though the technology currently exists in the industry to virtually eliminate these concerns through the upgrade of machines used by drycleaners."
NCA-I said the heart of the issue is assistance to cleaners. A loan program for drycleaning machine upgrades and a seven-year exemption on the sales and uses tax for the equipment would be established.
Cleaners would be required to upgrade their perc equipment to fourth-generation or better, provided the machines reduce perc emission levels.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority would provide the loan financing for equipment purchases and upgrades through existing commercial lending and loan programs. The state guarantee up to 50 percent of any loan.
Bergen County chapter in NJ presents free demos of six computer systems
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association-International will be holding courses at the New York School of Drycleaning in the upcoming months.
"Principles & Practices and Drycleaning" will be given in ten-week sessions, meeting on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7 to 11 p.m.
The start date for these classes will be June 26, Sept. 11 and Nov. 27.
The course will use lectures, demonstrations and practices to teach students the four methods of stain removal, the use of drycleaning machinery, how to identify fabrics and their properties, as well as other skills that are integral to drycleaners.
NCA-I will also be presenting "Principles & Practices of Pressing," a four-week course that runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
The start date for these courses will be June 6 and Nov. 7.
The class will cover the finishing process for all kinds of garments in a hands-on environment. A workbook and other training materials will be made available for the class.
Space size for all courses at the New York School of Drycleaning is limited.
For reservations or information, contact NCA-I at (212) 967-3002.
Computer system demos
A free seminar sponsored by the Bergen County chapter of NCA-I will take place at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9.
The event is scheduled to be at the Rochelle Park Ramada Inn located at 375 W. Passaic St. in Rochelle Park, NJ.
The latest in technology from six different drycleaning computer systems will be on display and attendees will be able to witness live demonstrations of each.
Nora Nealis, environmental expert for NCA-I, will be on hand to provide drycleaners with the latest information on regulations.
For more information, call (201) 845-3400.
The spring educational program for the North East Fabricare Association will give cleaners many chances to improve their skills in the month of May.
NEFA training specialists Carmelia and Fred Bernardi will bring over 40 years of experience in the industry to "The Art of Professional Spotting," a two-day course that helps students learn the secrets of spotting.
The program, which will run on Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21, in Burlington, VT, focuses on delicate materials, including wools, white wools, silks, bright silks, rayons and more.
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. The class hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 20, and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on May 21.
Cost is $265 for members and $315 for non-members.
The Bernardis will also be teaching the NEFA course, "Professional Customer Service Training."
The class helps attendees improve customer relations, work quality and profits.
The one-day program runs from 7 to 9 p.m. There is a May 11 class in NH and a May 19 class in Burlington, VT.
Registration for the courses begins at 6:30 p.m.
Cost is $29 for members and $49 for non-members.
For more information, contact NEFA at (800) 442-6848 or (781) 942-7630.
The Royaltone Leather Academy will be offering its next class for plant owners and managers who wish to learn the techniques of drycleaning and wetcleaning sued, leather, fur and trimmed fabric on June 8-9.
The two-day class will be held at the Royaltone Leather Academy in Tulsa, OK.
Attendees will receive a complete instruction manual on wetcleaning and drycleaning to complement classroom and in-plant hands-on training sessions, which are taught under the supervision of instructor Frank Lucenta and his staff.
The class is designed to help plant owners and managers keep a higher profit while decreasing costs.
Attendees are invited to bring two suede or leather garments to work on at the in-plant session.
Course completion certificates are awarded to each student when the training session is completed. After training, support is provided from Royaltone through a free hotline number.
Tuition is $400 if paid less than 30 days before the class is scheduled to take place.
Enrollment in the program is limited to seven attendees, so early enrollment is encouraged. Students who pre-register will receive the class instruction manual in advance and be able to study beforehand so that they can get more out of the class.
The next two-day program is scheduled for September 14 and 15 of this year.
For more information, contact Frank Lucenta at (800) 331-5506 or visit Royaltone's website at www.royaltone.com.
Small businesses in Texas can help their operations become compliant without risking penalties or fines through the utilization of environmental audits.
According to the Texas Environmental, Health and Safety Audit Privilege Act of 1995, facilities that voluntarily identify unintentional environmental regulation violations can avoid penalties if they notify the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission about the audit and its findings.
It is vital that the TNRCC is notified prior to the start of the audit; otherwise, the law will not protect the rights of the person undergoing an audit.
It is also important to note that environmental audits often reveal problems that might not be detected during a regular TNRCC inspection.
Under the law, an audit must include a systematic evaluation, review, or assessment of compliance. This process usually involves extensive sampling, testing and data analysis over and extended period of time.
For more information about environmental audits, contact your regional compliance assistance specialist or call the Small Business and Local Government Assistance hotline at (800) 447-2827.
TNRCC's publication on the Texas Environmental, Health and Safety Audit Privilege Act (RG-173) gives a detailed account on how to notify the agency about audits and violations and it also answers a series of frequently asked questions on the subject.
Copies of the publication are available for downloading at TNRCC's website (www.tnrcc. state.tx.us) by clicking on the "Publications" link or can be ordered by calling (512) 239-0028.
Inspection and enforcement activity of North Carolina drycleaning plants is intensifying, the North Carolina Association of Launderers and Cleaners reported in its newsletter.
NCALC said the state Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Division of Air Quality (NCDENR) is checking cleaning plants for compliance with equipment standards, maintenance and monitoring requirements and record-keeping and reporting as stipulated by federal clean-air regulations.
So far, NCALC said, inspectors have been concerned mainly with obtaining compliance rather than assessing fines.
"However, there are indications that pleading ignorance of these requirements may soon fall on Air quality inspectors' deaf ears," the association warned.
The rules have been on the books for some years -- since 1993 to be exact -- for the federal clan-air regulations. Also, EPA has published guides in both English and Korean designed to help drycleaners better understand the rules.
"If the inspector sees you are making a good faith effort to understand and comply with the clean-air regulations, you will probably be given the opportunity to correct any errors or accidental omissions in your program without being fined," NCALC advised. "However, cleaners with no program of compliance may well be in for a rough time."
The Small Business Ombudsman's Office of the NCDENR mailed record-keeping calendars to all perc drycleaners of record to help them comply with the rules.
Also, copies of the English and Korean guides for perc drycleaners are available from the Ombudsman's office and also from NCALC, (919) 850-0707.
Contributions needed
NCALC is also asking cleaners to contribute to the association's legislative fund, which is anticipated to need $45,000 this year. Most of that money is to pay the association's attorneys for work on behalf of the state legislation that NCALC is seeking that would limit cleaners liability for cleanups from $10,000 to $50,000 a site instead of up to a million per site if there is no protective legislation on the books.
The fund will also be used to support a series of legislative and regulatory briefings across the state and for phone and fax work to implement contacts with legislators.
"We are asking you to give as much as you can to support the successful accomplishment of this effort," the association said
"It's your future and your family's future that may be in jeopardy."
The Northwest Drycleaners Association recently announced that Deborah Rechnitz will return as the association's executive director.
Her goals as the new executive director are to improve communications and education to the association's members.
Rechnitz, who had previously resigned from the position because of other time commitments, will resume her role now that she is again in a position to provide effective assistance to the association.
"The Board has done an excellent job, including working long hours with government representatives from numerous agencies," said Rechnitz, who will be utilizing the resources of Methods For Management to further develop all association activities.
"There's a lot to do, and I feel that our company, Methods For Management, can help them pursue their goals," she added.
NWDCA's Board of Directors recently outlined key objectives that the association wishes to achieve. In response, Methods For Management will be charged with the responsibility of coordinating most of the activities.
The association also plans to initiate several local educational programs in 2000 with IFI and local allied trades co-sponsoring.
For more information, contact NWDCA at (253) 858-2013.
The San Diego Dry Cleaners Association will be offering California drycleaners the California Air Resources Board required courses on the Air Toxic Control Measure in May and June.
Classes will be available on May 20, and June 17 at the Inn Suites Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., in San Diego, CA.
Cost for the certification course is $100 for re-certification and $150 for first-time certification.
The class will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A book is provided for first-time certifiers, so re-certification applicants should bring their old book, certificate, and a picture ID.
For more information, contact the SDDCA at (619) 267-5390.
The California Cleaners Association will be presenting two upcoming educational seminars.
A "Beginning Dry Cleaning and Spotting" course will be held on Saturday, May 13, and an "Advanced Spotting and Bleaching" seminar is scheduled for Saturday, June 10.
Classes will be held at Snow Cleaners in Stockton, CA.
The courses are open to all California drycleaners and cost $75 for CCA members and $125 for non-members.
For information, call CCA at (916) 443-0896 or (800) 390-8490.
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