In keeping with a current industry trend, the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association have become the latest drycleaning association to launch a fresh web page for its members.
In recent months, IFI (www.ifi.org) and NCA (www.nca-i.com) have retooled their association web sites considerably, giving members access to a wide range of services and information.
Also during last year, the Ontario Fabricare Association announced the unveiling of its new web site (www.fabricare.org), complete with Flash technology and a searchable database of all of its members.
PDCA's new web site, located at www.pdclean.org, offers visitors an online edition of its newsletter, PDCA Press, as well as a listing of current events, member services and related links.
A full membership directory with phone numbers and e-mail addresses is accessible on the site. PDCA also provides visitors with contact information on Allied Trade members and PDCA's officers and directors.
Another online service the association provides is a discussion forum for industry-related topics called "Shop Talk."
Several one-day training workshops are being offered throughout the month of March that may be of interest to drycleaners in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Each session is designed to help attendees handle difficult people with tact and skill.
Those who attend will learn specific methods for dealing with people, including how to get chronic complainers to quiet down, how to make silent people open up, and how to influence adversarial people into being more cooperative.
Not only do these skills contribute to cooperation, collaboration and compromise at the workplace, but they also make for a more productive and effective atmosphere.
Initially, the workshops will be in Maryland, including the following dates and cities: Hagerstown on March 5; Baltimore on March 6; Towson on March 7; Bowie on March 8; Bethesda on March 9; and College Park on March 13.
There are also several opportunities in Virginia, including: Alexandria on March 14; Fairfax on March 15; Fredersicksburg on March 16; Roanoke on March 19; Lynchburg on March 20; Charlottesville on March 21; Richmond on March 22; and Chesapeake on March 23.
There will also be a workshop on March 12 in Washington, D.C.
Cost for the sessions are $149. The price includes a course manual. For groups of five or more, the cost is reduced to $129 per person.
The workshops are being presented by CareerTrack, who recently merged with Fred Pryor seminars. The company offers a 100% money back guarantee if not satisfied.
For more information on the workshops or to make a reservation, contact CareerTrack at (800) 334-6780.
CareerTrack also has a web site at: www.pryor.com.
Every year, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection gives several Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence to state leaders who exemplify innovative technologies and management that benefit the environment.
Certainly, drycleaners who have installed environmentally-friendly equipment, instituted solvent-saving procedures, or significantly reduced the use of gasoline, electricity or water, may be eligible.
Right now, the DEP is accepting applications from businesses who believe they may be eligible for an award.
The awards will be based on accomplishments made in 2000. Since 1997, 175 awards have been presented.
The applications, which will be evaluated by a panel of independent judges, must be submitted by 4 p.m. on May 4, 2001.
The Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association recently sent out applications to its members in its February 2001 edition of PDCA Press. An online application is available at www.dep.state.pa.us.
The winners will be presented their awards during a ceremony to be held in Harrisburg, PA, during the Fall of 2001.
In addition to receiving an engraved plaque and having their picture taken with the governor and other officials, winners will be posted in DEP publications and on their web site.
More then 100 members and guests of the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute attended the association's annual state convention, held at the Regency Suites in Green Bay, WI, from Feb. 9-11.
According to the results of post-event surveys, it was among the most successful conventions in WFI's history. "Our members loved every minute of the programming," said WFI Executive Director Joe Phillips.
One of the highlights of the weekend came in the form of "Who Wants to Feel Like A Millionaire?," a drycleaning industry quiz contest patterned after ABC's popular game show hosted by Regis Philbin. However, WFI's version featured host Joe Phillips as Regis.
Contestants could use up to three lifelines, including one where audience members were polled for the best response. In all, over $300 was awarded to eight contestants.
The computerized set-up of the event, along with the prizes, was donated by Leather-Rich Inc.
WFI's educational programs included a Saturday morning session with IFI CEO Bill Fisher, who discussed the future of the drycleaning industry in the U.S. Not only did Fisher evaluate a variety of alternative solvents, he also suggested that the threat posed by drycleaning kits is waning. He also encouraged cleaners to use the casual wear trend to their advantage.
Saturday's schedule continued with a panel discussion of the advantages and problems of alternative solvents. Phillips moderated the panel, which included: Tom Judge (carbon dioxide) of Judge's Cleaners, Richard Klinke (DF-2000) of Klinke Cleaners, and Doug Berry (GreenEarth) of BMP Cleaners.
Later in the evening, attendees enjoyed a banquet where WFI President Dennis Schmitt awarded Past President Ron Kantor with a wall clock in recognition of his dedicated leadership and numerous contributions to the industry and to WFI. Kantor, who owns and operates Leather-Rich Inc., has served on the Board of Directors at IFI.
Providing entertainment for the night was Milwaukee radio talk-show host Jeff Wagner.
On Sunday, national consultant and National Clothesline columnist Alan Robson delivered a 2 1Ž2 hour seminar, "Profit Is Not A Dirty Word."
WFI's convention also included a table-top trade show, which featured items donated for auction by Allied Trade representatives and drycleaners. A total of 39 items were auctioned off, including gift baskets, tickets to the new Miller Park (home of the Milwaukee Brewers), golf outings, 8 hours of in-plant spotting instruction, a $1,000 gift certificate for on-site contamination and preliminary screening work, and a Hart, Shaffner and Marx men's suit.
Veteran drycleaner Charles Cass served as the event's auctioneer. Over $6,200 was raised. The money will be directed toward WFI's industry-favorable newspaper advertising campaign in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The convention concluded with a brunch on Sunday, Feb. 11. Phillips was happy with the event's success. "With the likes of Fisher, Wagner and even 'Regis,' it was a dazzling display of featured stars that everybody looked forward to meeting," he said. "When you can be entertained and acquire some meaningful new knowledge, it becomes a weekend investment that returns remarkable dividends."
Thanks to the efforts of a quick-thinking employee at U.S. $1.99 Cleaners in Greenwood, IN, two robbery suspects were apprehended by police.
On Feb. 1, Braden A. Loomis, 20, and Kevin C. Marshall, 20, were both arrested on charges of robbery. Both suspects were believed to have committed a series of drycleaning plant thefts that began in mid-January.
At least nine plants were targeted in just over two weeks time.
During that time, Indiana drycleaning plants had banded together. In addition to sharing information about the robberies, many shops tried other approaches, such as keeping less money on hand or doubling the number of employees per shift.
However, on the night of the final theft, Linda Downard was working alone.
Downard, who has been a counter employer at U.S. $1.99 Cleaners for about a year, remained alert due in part to the advice of a friend who had been robbed on the previous night. Not only did Downard see a composite sketch of one of the suspects, but she also was given detailed information about their method of operation.
"One would come in and he'd wear a stocking cap and ask for an application," Downard explained. "The other one would wait out in the car and he'd come in a few minutes later with a gun under some clothes. He also wore a stocking cap and they were in a white 4-door car."
With the information still burned well into her memory, Downard immediately took notice that night when a man with a stocking cap walked in while another man in a stocking cap remained outside in a white 4-door car.
'I proceeded to just stop and look at him -- just stare at him -- letting him know I knew who he was. Plus, I felt a little brave because there were other people in the cleaners," she said. "He got nervous, fumbled around a little bit, then ran out and jumped into the car and drove away. The police were called and they were caught about fifteen minutes later."
According to the Indianapolis Star, Greenwood police discovered the pair of suspects with BB guns inside their white Chrysler Cirrus.
A recent meeting in Illinois provided a forum for a discussion on the status of the state's Dry-cleaner Star Recognition Program which started in 1997.
The program, formed by a core group of 25 Illinois cleaners who met with several state environmental and fabricare organizations, was designed to give state cleaners recognition for making efforts to achieve compliance prior to meeting all required regulations.
One of the topics covered in the state's recent meeting was web site care and maintenance. Kevin Green of the Illinois EPA offered to find a college student intern who can develop and produce a workable manual so that the web site (www.stardrycleaner.org) can be updated on a weekly basis.
Additionally, it was the consensus view that a future amendment be added to the web site. A monthly profile on a star cleaner will be created to give visitors a chance to read some of their environmental achievements. Government agencies will be encouraged to visit the site often in order to familiarize themselves with cleaners who want to make a difference.
As of February 1st of this year, the Illinois Drycleaner Star Recognition Program has listed over 300 cleaners on its site who are enrolled into the program. Of that number, over 220 have either achieved Bronze, Silver or Gold status in the program.
Also during the meeting, it was learned that Dan Kraybill of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is working on a filter process that may be applicable to reducing the amount of waste for the industry.
For more information on the Star Recognition Program, call (866) 855-7827 or visit the web site at www.stardrycleaners.org.
Sixteen members and friends of the Indiana Drycleaning & Laundry Association left Miami, FL, on Dec. 2 to cruise aboard the S.S. Norway for a week at sea.
In addition to making port stops for shopping, sight seeing and snorkeling, IDLA members had the opportunity to visit beaches at St. Maarten, St. Thomas and the Great Stirrup Cay.
While on board, some passengers were given a tour of the laundry facilities on board the S.S. Norway by Aris Winander, the manager of the drycleaning and laundry facility, and Ralph Lawson, director of housekeeping.
Overall, the S.S. Norway has 1,020 guest rooms and 400 crew rooms. The ship is capable of carrying 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members.
All of that adds up to approximately 4,000 pounds of laundry every day, including all the linens from each room, the table linens from the ship's three restaurants plus linen napkins from the outdoor restaurant and extra towels from the pools, sauna areas and beauty shop.
The drycleaning and laundry facility employs 15 workers who work 2-10 hour shifts, seven days a week. The facility's equipment includes one 30-lb drycleaning machine, four 100-lb washers, four 200-lb dryers, two steam air finishers, two hot head presses, one suzy and one mangle or ironer.
The crew does not have an actual shirt laundry, so all of the shirts are done on the hot head presses.
Employees of the ship's facility are required to maintain perc usage charts and follow the same rules and regulations as land-based plants.
It is also interesting to note that the water in the facility is recycled through the air conditioning on the ship after being purified.
New York cleaners received a bit of good news last month when the state Department of Environmental Conservation extended the May 15 deadline for upgrading third generation drycleaning machines to fourth generation.
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association had lobbied for the extension, arguing the cleaners should not be forced to buy new equipment before the equipment certification portion of the New York drycleaning rules is active.
No new upgrade deadline was set, but NCA said it expects it will be nine months after the first equipment received full certification by the state.
A letter to NCA from Carl Johnson, deputy commissioner of the DEC, note that "While the Department remains fully committed to establishing the third-party certification program required by the negotiated rule, we do not yet have certifying authorities in place. As a result, drycleaners are faced with meeting a regulatory deadline by purchasing equipment that has not been finally certified as in full compliance with 6 NYCRR Part 232."
Johnson added that only the May 15 deadline has been changed. "We do not anticipate changing any other requirements of the program at this time," he said.
Local chapters of the Neighborhood Cleaners Association have scheduled several meetings in March.
Ray Colucci will be the guest speaker at a March 6 meeting of the Bergen County group. Colucci will talk about "The Route to Success." Also on the program will be NCA executive director Nora Nealis who will answer members' questions.
There will also be a presentation on a voluntary-participation health plan with AmeriGroup New Jersey Inc.
The meeting will be held at the Ramada Inn, Rochelle Park. NJ. Those planning to attend should contact Bergen Chapter President Rich Mason for details, (201) 385-3330.
Nealis will also speak and answer questions at a March 8 Central New Jersey NCA meeting.
Topics will include the voluntary-participation health plan with AmeriGroup New Jersey Inc Call Arthur Weiss for details on the meeting, (609) 426-4600.
On March 14, the Western Connecticut Chapter will have its membership meetin at the Trumbull Marriott, Trumbull, CT. All Connecticut NCA members are invited to attend. To confirm, call Chapter President Stephen Yudelson, (203) 855-1000.
Aldrich Clean-Tech Equipment will hold its Springfest in-house show March 30-April 1. On display will be the newest equipment and technology from Suprema, Aqua-Starr, Unipress, Pony, Fulton and others. Factory representatives on hand to demonstrate the equipment in operation.
Aldrich will provide food, music and prizes in an event geared for the whole family.Aldrich Clean-Tech headquarters are at 59 Webster Place in Worcester, MA.
For more information, call (888) 462-2832.
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association has announced its 2001 schedule of courses, including three dates for its class on "The Principles and Practices of Pressing" and four class dates for "The Principles and Practices of Drycleaning."
"The Principles and Practices of Pressing" courses take place in a four-week duration, with classes held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Drycleaners will learn about finishing trousers, coats and jackets, dresses, skirts, sweaters, raincoats and more. The instructor for the pressing course is Mel Bond.
The four-week sessions will start on the following dates: May 8, October 9 and December 18.
"The Principles and Practices of Drycleaning" courses last ten weeks with classes meeting on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7 to 11 p.m.
Classes will begin on the following dates: May 7, July 23, October 8 and December 17.
There will also be a special week-long course on "The Principles and Practices of Drycleaning" from March 12-16.
NCA Chief Garment Analyst Dan Eisen will instruct the drycleaning classes.
Among the topics of discussion will be: how to recognize fibers and materials so that you can deal with them properly; how to get the greatest efficiency in soil removal and fabric safety; and how to recognize whether a stain is tannin, albumin, ink, paint, glue, medicine, cosmetic dye or one of a dozen other substances.
Students will also study the difference between petroleum distillates, chlorinated and fluorinated hydrocarbons; the differences between single recovery and split recovery units; and the differences between single and two-pocket washer.
All classes will be held at NCA's New York School of Drycleaning, located at 252 West 29th Street in New York, NY.
Tuition rates for "The Principles and Practices of Drycleaning" are $760 for the ten-week course; the one-week course from March 12-16 costs $560.
"The Principles and Practices of Pressing" four-week course costs $380.
The New York School of Drycleaning will supply students will all necessary course materials. However, an optional student notebook, complete with prepared notes, is available for $25.
To register or find out more information on the courses, contact Vincent Beazer of NCA at (212) 967-3002, ext. 224.
Information can also be found at the New York School of Drycleaning's web site, located at: www.nca-i.com/nysdall.html.
The North East Fabricare Association recently announced its plans for its "Fabricare Image '02 Exhibit and Convention," set for March 22-24 in 2002.
The new site for next year's event will be the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI.
NEFA's Convention and Exhibit committee voted to relocate the convention, which took place in Worcester, MA, in 2000.
The association also noted that moving the event up two weeks earlier in the year should lead to a higher turnout.
There will be plenty of sunshine, breathtaking views and some excellent educational opportunities at the Southwest Drycleaner's Association's 94th annual convention from March 29 - April 1.
The event, which is co-hosted by the North East Fabricare Association, will take place at the DoubleTree Hilton Sedona Resort in Sedona, AZ.
This year's program will offer an optional golf outing on Thursday, March 29, followed by a welcome reception from 7 to 9 p.m. on the same day.
The morning of Friday, March 30, will kick off with an SDA Board of Directors' breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and will feature IFI's CEO Bill Fisher as its guest speaker.
After breakfast, SDA will host a Board of Directors' meeting until noon. A general assembly meeting with guest speaker Bob Shirley, president of IFI, will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon.
Attendees will also have opportunities to attend a Sunset Jeep Tour and Cook-Out at 3:30 p.m. Those who participate will ride through the famous red rock country of Sedona, making a stop in an authentic western movie town.
On Saturday morning from 8 to 9:45 a.m., Kenney Slatten, a board member of the Western States Drycleaners and Launderers Association, will give a stain removal seminar sponsored by R.R. Street & Co. Slatten will incorporate live stain removal techniques using a portable spotting board.
At 10 a.m., IFI Garment Analyst Chris Allsbrooks will deliver a 90-minute seminar on customer service.
Specifically, Allsbrooks will cover the five different types of difficult customer personalities and how to deal with them. Role-playing participation will be part of the program.
Saturday afternoon has been left open for attendees. An optional Verde Canyon Railroad Tour will be offered from noon to 5 p.m.
The four-hour excursion will ride past a variety of ancient Indian cliff dwellings, native wildlife and waterfalls.
Also on Saturday, there will be a Mystic's Evening dinner at 7 p.m., featuring dancing with music provided by a DJ. Convention-goers will have a chance to participate in a spiritual reading. Some of the methods that will be employed include: Tarot readings, psychic readings and crystal ball readings.
On Sunday, there will also be opportunities to take part in a Red Rock Balloon Adventure at 5 a.m. a 1-2 hour ride) and a Skydance Helicopter Tour (approximately a half hour ride) at 9 a.m.
A registration package for the convention, which includes the welcome reception, spouse hospitality breakfast (at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 30), general membership meeting, both educational seminars, the Jeep Tour and the Mystic Evening's dinner, will be offered at a rate of $175 per member or $200 for non-members. Kids under six can be registered for $130.
All optional tours require separate registration.
Prices for the optional tours include: $125 per person for the Golf Outing; $50 per person for the Railroad Tour; $88 per person for the Helicopter Tour; and $155 per person for the Hot Air Balloon Tour.
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the DoubleTree Sedona Resort. Room rates are $129 per night for single/double occupancy. There will be a charge of $20 for each additional person over the age of 18.
For more information, contact the Southwest Drycleaners Association at (210) 826-4684.
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association has scheduled several programs in Florida over the next few months.
Executive Director Nora Nealis will appear with Ann Hargrove in a series of "get acquainted meetings" and wetcleaning programs. Dates and locations are as follows:
April 17, Jacksonville; April 21, Ocala; May 8, Melbourne; May 9, Orlando; June 12, Tampa; June 13, Ft. Myers.
Hargrove will give a wetcleaning seminar and demonstration at Steiner-Atlantic in Miami on April 27.
Former NCA Executive Director Bill Seitz will be in Orlando on May 20, Jacksonville on June 3 and Tampa on June 24 to lead spotting seminars.
Precise times and locations of these events will be announced as the dates near. For more information, call NCA, (212) 967-3002.
The Louisiana Mississippi Drycleaners and Laundry Association will be hosting its annual convention from April 20-22 in Gulfport, MS.
The event, which has been dubbed "Don't Miss the Boat," will be held at the Grand Oasis Hotel.
On Friday, attendees will have the opportunity to play golf at the prestigious Grand Bear Course at 8 a.m. For those more accustomed to a fishing rod than a golf putter, a fishing trip is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
LMDLA will also be hosting a "Day at the Spa for the Ladies," which is available by appointment only.
Friday's activities will conclude with a cocktail reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Oasis Pool Patio.
Educational seminars are slated to start Saturday morning, following LMDLA's Board of Director's meeting from 8 to 9 a.m., and a general session and annual membership meeting from 9 to 10:15 a.m.
Though seminar times are not finalized yet, the topics of discussion include: "Problems and Solutions" by Fran Sadler and Bobbie Harvey and "Which Solution Will Your State Choose?" by Sam Taylor, III, attorney at law.
Also, IFI CEO Bill Fisher is schedule to be a guest speaker for the Saturday luncheon, which starts at 12:30 p.m.
Saturday evening will afford attendees an opportunity to take a trip through Biloxi Harbor on a Starship Yacht. The evening dinner cruise will start at 5 p.m. IFI District 6 Director Jim Cripe is planned as the evening's keynote speaker.
On Sunday, April 22, a farewell brunch will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Early registration (prior to March 15) for the convention is $150 for members and $180 for non-members. Members who register after March 15 pay $165.
Spouse registration is $100. Other optional costs include: $80 for Friday's round of golf and $85 for Friday's fishing trip.
Hotel rooms at the Grand Oasis will be available at an LMDLA rate of $89 plus tax. Call (800) 354-2450 by March 19 for reservations.
For more information on the convention, contact LMDLA at (601) 936-7007.
Barry McElveen has been hired as the new executive director of the Atlanta-based South Eastern Fabricare Association.
He assumed the position on Feb. 19, taking over from Everett Childers, who resigned in January.
McElveen has been involved in the drycleaning industry for 29 years. He was a SEFA board member for 12 years, has been a board member of the Georgia Dry Cleaning Council and is a past president of the Savannah Fabricare Association.
SEFA is an IFI-affiliated trade association that serves drycleaners in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has published its Drycleaning Containment Guidelines.
The guidelines are intended to assist drycleaners in complying with the solvent and waste containment requirements of the South Carolina Drycleaning Restoration Trust fund that was enacted in May, 2000.
The department will conduct several informal seminars around the state this spring to review the containment requirements with the drycleaning community.
Operating drycleaning facilities that are covered under the Trust fund have until Jan. 1, 2002, to meet the containment standards. New facilities are required to meet the standards before beginning operations.
South Carolina law allows some drycleaning facilities to opt out of Fund coverage. These facilities are not required to meet the containment standard; however, they are not allowed to have any unpermitted discharges to the environment.
Meeting the containment standards may significantly reduce the potential liability for these facilities.
Approximately 450 copies of the guidelines were mailed to all known drycleaners in the state. Any drycleaner who did not receive a copy can contact the department's toll-free telephone number, (866)-DHEC-DRY (866-343-2379).
The guidelines can also be downloaded from the department's web site at www.scdhec.net/lwm/forms/dryclean_guide.pdf.
The Florida Dry Cleaners Coalition will hold meetings in Tallahassee March 20-21.
On Tuesday, March 20, the coalition will meet for dinner at 7 p.m. at the Silver Slipper.
On March 21, the coalition will have an 8 a.m. breakfast meeting with David Struhs, secretary of Florida's Department of Environmental Protection.
The coalition board will meet at 9 a.m. Topics for the meeting include a coalition request of Lou Ritter to procure a list of perc buyers for the FDC to compare against current plants in the program.
FDC will also consider complaints of new store owners that they are paying into the fund without receiving any benefit. There will also be information on the FDC newsletter which is edited by Sandy Waite.
A luncheon will feature special guest Charles Bronson, chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
After the luncheon, cleaners will be able to visit legislators and legislative assistants who handle environmental affairs, but appointments should be made in advance.
The FDC's primary function is to serve as an industry watchdog in protecting drycleaners legislative interests, particularly as they pertain to the Florida clean-up law. FDC played a key role in adoption of the law several years ago and has continued to monitor its implementation on behalf of Florida cleaners
Anyone planning to attend the Tallahassee meeting should contact Gary Dawson (727) 586-0092, or Rick Miller (954) 566-4314, as soon as possible so proper arrangements can be made to accommodate everyone.
Micell Technologies, the parent company of Hangers Cleaners, has earned a 2001 Governor's Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
The award, which is presented by the North Carolina Technological Development Authority, Inc., is presented to North Carolina-based companies that exemplify entrepreneurial economic development and growth.
In addition to building better businesses, winners of the award are also expected to build better communities.
Dr. Joe DeSimone, co-founder and chairman of Micell Technologies, was very pleased to hear the news. "We are very honored to be selected for this recognition," he said.
DeSimone also added, "This award is an exciting confirmation of Micell's innovative CO2 technology and our dedication to being a sustainable enterprise -- considering social responsibility, environmental stewardship and financial performance in all of our daily operations and strategic plans."
The Governor's Entrepreneurial Awards Ceremony was scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the North Carolina Technological Development Authority in Research Triangle Park.
Dr. DeSimone and two of his students at the University of North Carolina, Timothy Romack, Ph. D., and Jim McClain, Ph. D., founded Micell in 1995.
Since then, Micell has expanded to include 49 Hanger locations, including stores in North Carolina, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Wisconsin.
For more information on Micell, visit their web site at www.micell.com.
The North Carolina Technological Development Authority, Inc., is a private non-profit organization focusing on the development and success of entrepreneurial business in North Carolina.
A Milnor washer-extractor service seminar has been scheduled to take place from April 24-27 at Myrtle Beach, SC.
The seminar, which will cover a broad range of Milnor washer-extractors, is the first scheduled by Milnor for 2001.
The four-day course is designed to train personnel in the rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment of field problems. Also, attendees will gain an overall understanding of how the equipment operates.
The machines covered during the session will include Milnor washer-extractors with capacities ranging between 35 and 750 lbs, including split and open pocket designs. Cost for the seminar is $125 per person per day.
The next Milnor seminar is scheduled for August 14-17 in Los Angeles, CA.
For more information, contact Randy Stiver, Training and Education Supervisor at the Pellerin Milnor Corporation, at (504) 467-9591, ext. 514.
A brochure for the seminar is available by calling (800) 469-8780, or by visiting the web site at www.milnor.com and clicking on the "Detailed Literature" link.
The Textile Care Allied Trades Association has announced its plans for a 2001 convention, scheduled to take place at the Eldorado Hotel in Santa Fe, NM, from May 2-5.
On Wednesday, May 2, there will be a variety of meetings scheduled, including a TCATA board meeting from 12:30 to 3 p.m., a manufacturer meeting from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and a distributor meeting, also from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
An opening reception will begin at 6:30 p.m.
A golf tournament is slated to begin at 8 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, May 3. TCATA will be hosting a tennis tournament, as well, starting at 9 a.m.
Thursday's events will round off with a Tournament Awards luncheon from 1 to 3 p.m. and a four-hour Young Timer's Party will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Educational sessions will begin on Friday, May 4, kicking off at 8 a.m. with "Peak Performing Manufacturer-Distributor Relationships -- What Are They & How To Obtain Them" by Robert Nadeau, the managing principal of the Industrial Performance Group.
Nadeau, will discuss the relationships between manufacturers, distributors and their mutual customers, emphasizing that a cooperative atmosphere will fair better than a competitive one.
During the course of his presentation, he will illustrate the common problems manufacturers, distributors and consumers face when working together. Additionally, he will share a plan for improving customer satisfaction and profitability by managing those problems.
On Saturday, May 5, Dr. Michael Kami will present "Managing in Times of Change" from 8 a.m to 1 p.m. Dr. Kami, a former corporate planner for IBM and Xerox, is widely recognized as one of the world's leading authorities on business planning and strategies.
He will discuss how the fast growth rate of technology requires a major change in the way companies conduct business. Because consumers are becoming increasingly informed and sophisticated, new roles will be created for manufacturers and distributors.
Also on Saturday, a Silver Circle Club luncheon is scheduled from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
The convention's activities will conclude with a reception and closing dinner at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
For information on registration and hotel reservations, contact TCATA at (973) 244-1790, or e-mail: tacata@ix.netcom.com.
You can also visit TCATA's web site at www.tcata.org.
Information about the Eldorado Hotel can be found online at: www.eldoradohotel.com.
The San Diego Dry Cleaners Association will be offering a California Dry Cleaners Certification class on March 24 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. Advanced registration is important because classes may be cancelled unless enough people register.
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.
Copyright © 2001, National Clothesline Maintained by: Hal Horning