Midwest News

Next year will be a time for celebrations for the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute, who will host its annual state convention February 8-10 at the Ho-Chunk Casino & Hotel Baraboo, WI.

In addition to recognizing its 30th anniversary, WFI will “Celebrate America” as the event’s main theme.

The event will kick off on Friday, Feb. 8, with certification tests that run from 3 to 5:00 p.m., followed by a Celebrate America party at 6:30. A buffet dinner and an introduction to WFI’s Hall of Fame charter members will round out the evening.

On Saturday, the business programs begin with motivational instructor Dick Gariepy who will attempt to fire up attendees with a sense of urgency to tackle their personal and professional obligations.

Later in the day, the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin will introduce a new program developed in cooperation with representative of WFI that is designed to mediate customer complaints with greater ease. Other Saturday events will include an allied trades tabletop reception, an auction, and a banquet dinner at 7 p.m., after which retiring Executive Director Joe Phillips will be “roasted” by his peers.

On Sunday, Robin Schmidt of the DNR’s Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment will offer an update of the state’s DERF program.

Later in the day, member experts Dennis Schmitt, Phyllis Martino and Jeff Fitzgerald will lead roundtable discussions on a variety of topics, including spotting, equipment maintenance and advertising and marketing.

Admission to all events will cost members $150 and member spouses $115 each. An additional $15 will be added to the cost after Feb. 1.

For this convention only, WFI has announced that non-members will pay the same admission price as members.

Hotel arrangements have been reserved at the Ho-Chunk Casino & Hotel at a rate of $75 per night for standard king or double queen rooms. The cut-off date is January 8, 2002. Call (800) 445-5550 for reservations.

For more information, contact WFI at (414) 529-4707.

Time is running out to reserve rooms at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, MN, the host for the Minnesota Cleaners Association’s annual convention planned for Feb. 22-24.

A discounted room rate of $79 per night for single or double occupancy for convention guests will be available until January 23. Reservations can be made by calling (952) 445-9000.

The weekend’s activities will begin with an MCA Board/Allied Trades meeting 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22.

The next morning, cleaners who need to renew their boiler license will have an opportunity as MCA will host boiler exams from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m.

Later in the day, a group of expert presenters will be on-hand to offer a variety of educational seminars that will run through Sunday. Some of the highlights will be a hands-on pressing seminar that covers fine fabrics, shirts and casual wear and a look at “Today’s Solvent Choices.”

Guest speakers include Carolyn Schwass, whose field of knowledge encompasses drycleaning, wetcleaning, shirt laundry and tailoring. She will discuss profitability issues.

Also speaking at the convention will be Brian Johnson, an instructor in IFI’s Education Department, who has an extensive background in the industry in such aspects as customer service, finishing and stain removal.

Norine Larson will deliver a session on “Power Managing From Your Young Workforce.” She has spent over 25 years working with young employees and will provide some practical ideas on how cleaners can motivate their younger workforce to be more productive.

For more information, contact MCA at (651) 290-6267.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management recently honored several state drycleaners with higher star ratings as part of its 5-Star Environmental Recognition Program for Drycleaners.

Two Anderson, IN, locations for Best Way Cleaners achieved the coveted 5-star status, as well as Fabric Care Center of Indianapolis.

Reaching the 4-star status was Hilgers Laundry and Cleaners in Tell City, and Fashion Cleaners of Indianapolis was designated with as a 3-star facility.

The program, which began in 1995, recognizes the efforts of cleaners to protect the environment and be as efficient as possible when utilizing chemical cleaners. Stars are awarded for cleaners who go above and beyond regulatory requirements. Each star builds on the level obtained by reaching the previous one.

Currently, 59 cleaners are actively participating in the program with 45 plants meeting the requirements of 5-star status.

For more information on IDEM’s 5-Star Environmental Recognition Program, including a full list of all active drycleaners, visit the official site at www.IN.gov/idem/ctap/cleaners/index.html