IDC Theme: Changing Fashions

“Changing Fashions” will be this year’s theme for the International Drycleaners Congress’ 4th annual convention scheduled for Aug. 27-31 in London, England.

The convention will begin with an IDC board meeting followed by a welcome reception and buffet for all attendees from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday night.

Five separate sessions of educational seminars have been prepared for the event, featuring speakers from all across the globe. On Aug. 28, “Session 1: Fashioning Change” will be highlighted by a keynote address by Peter Aepli of 5 a Sec. who will discuss “An Expanding Business in a Shrinking Market.” Other seminars in the session will include: “The Russian Evolution” by Vadim Samokhvalov of SV Argus in Moscow; “Serving the Fashion World: From California to Paris” by Marty Brucato; and “Safeway Stores: Not Just Baked Beans” by John Barber, the General Manager of Dry Cleaning and Photo Processing for Safeway Stores.

Two more sessions will be featured on Thursday, Aug. 29. “Session 2: State of Our Industry” will feature speakers from Australia, Continental Europe, China, Japan, North America and the United Kingdom who will all provide updates on the industry challenges and innovations taking place in their corner of the world.

Later in the day will be “Session 3: Into the Future.” Seminars will include: “How Green Are We?” by Dr. Manfred Wentz, IDC’s executive director; “Drycleaning in Perc — Why Not?” by Dr. Mike Walker of ECSA; “Care Labeling — Do We Care?” by Mike Palin, ISO Convener for Standards on Professional Cleaning and Technical Director for the Textile Service Association in the UK; and “Textile Care: A Personal Vision of the Future” by Kaspar Hasenclever.

“Session 4: IDC Rewards Efforts” will kick off on Aug. 30 and will give IDC Fellowship recipients an opportunity to report on their international experiences that they have had in the course of their Fellowship travels. Tom Gosselin will discuss “IDC Fellowships: A Learning Experience,” and former IDC Fellow Colin Murray will talk about “A Fellowship Revisited: My Gain — No Loss.” Later in the day, IDC will host “Session 5: Industry Leadership Perspectives.” William Pulley of Capitol Cleaners will offer “Changing Times: The Drycleaning Industry in the 21st Century” and Murray Simpson of TSA will speak on “Trade Associations: Leaders or Followers.” Other seminars will include “Trade Association Leadership in Europe” by Theo LaGrange of CINET and “Effective Communication Today” by Becca Anderson, the editor of IDC News.

Many social activities have also been planned throughout the week, including a gala banquet from 7-9 p.m. on the evening of Friday, Aug. 30, after an IDC General Membership Meeting in the afternoon. A Sayonara breakfast is planned for Saturday morning. Registration for IDC’s Convention cost $595, which covers the welcome cocktail party, the convention banquet, and all business sessions.

This year’s headquarters hotel will be the Langham Hilton Hotel on Regent Street in London. Located in the heart of the shopping and theatre districts in London’s west end, the restored landmark hotel has 429 rooms. A discounted rate has been secured for all single/double occupancy rooms reserved in time by attendees of the convention. Cost is £180 (approximately $259) per night for a standard room and £220 (approximately $316) per night for a deluxe room.

IDC is planning a pre-convention tour of Southern England and a post-convention tour of France.

The pre-convention tour will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 20 and run through Sunday, Aug. 25. The post-convention tour of France will run from Saturday, Aug. 31 through Friday, Sept. 6.

For more travel and convention tour registration information, contact IDC’s travel agency, Yamato Travel Bureau in Los Angeles, CA, at (800) 334-4982 or send e-mail to: yamatogroups@aol.com.