National Clothesline

Time is running out to secure hotel reservations for the Illinois State Fabricare Association’s Midwest 2002 trade show, planned for July 27-28 at the Odeum Sports & Expo Center in Villa Park, IL.

This year’s headquarters hotel, the Holiday Inn in Elmhurst, is located at 624 North York Rd., is less than four minutes away from the convention center. The special room rate is $89 per night plus applicable taxes for double occupancy.

The hotel will offer complimentary transportation to and from the Odeum Sports & Exposition Center, as well as to and from O’Hare Airport. Reservations can be obtained by calling (630) 279-7307.

The highlight of this year’s Midwest 2002 show will be a two-part panel discussion on alternative solvents highlighted by Mary Scalco, senior vice president of the International Fabricare Institute.

The first segment will allow representatives from manufacturers of the various alternative solvents to discuss their products that are currently available, as well as those that are in developmental stages.

In the second part of the session, a forum of drycleaners who currently use alternative solvents will be on hand to discuss the actual results they have achieved with the alternative solvent of their choice.

Additionally, ISFA has planned a two-hour period on Sunday, July 28 that will be devoted to a Korean-speaking presenter who will cover topics of major importance to Korean drycleaners located in Chicago.

For more information on Midwest 2002, contact the ISFA office at (800) 462-4732.

Plans have been finalized for the Iowa-Nebraska Drycleaners and Laundry Association’s 4th Annual Fall Seminar, planned for Oct. 25-27 at the Hotel Savery in Des Moines, IA.

Guest speakers will include Deborah Lee Pedrick, president of Asset Protection, who will discuss “Workers’ Compensation: An Employer’s Friend or Foe?”

Mark Gremler, president of a registered investment advisory firm in West Des Moines, is also scheduled to discuss retirement planning during his session: “IRS and You and Investments, Too.”

INDLA also plans to offer a seminar entitled “Navigating the Future” will offer information on marketing, where the industry is headed, how it affects you and how you can survive. It will be presented by Jim Beecher of R.R. Street & Company,

Rounding out the educational sessions will be Roxanne Rogers, owner of her own company called Rogers Resource. She will deliver a seminar on “Working With Employees” designed to help owners and managers refine their interviewing and hiring techniques in order to be more successful in recruiting good employees.

The weekend will be filled with several other activities, as well, including a hospitality on Friday evening, INDLA’s annual meeting on Saturday morning, a Sunday board meeting and tabletop exhibits will be on display.

For more information, contact INDLA at (515) 225-3654.