National Clothesline

A series of business programs designed to be profitable for all attendees will punctuate a busy weekend at the Iowa-Nebraska Drycleaners and Laundry Association’s fall seminar, scheduled for Oct. 25-27 in Des Moines, IA.

Following a festive Friday evening “Early Arrival Hospitality” from 6 to 8 p.m., things will get more serious on Saturday morning when INDLA host its annual meeting at 8 a.m. for the election of its new officers and directors.

At 8:15 a.m., the first business program will begin. It will feature Deborah Lee Pedrick, CPCU, CIC, CRM, owner of Asset Protection Agency, an independent insurance agency in West Des Moines. She will present a session on “Workers’ Compensation: An Employer’s Friend or Foe?” Pedrick, who has over 27 years of experience with the insurance industry, will offer her perspective on dealing with the frustrations of workers’ compensation.

Mark Gremler, president of Seniors Only Financial, will deliver a seminar on “IRS and You and Investments Too” at 9:30 a.m. He will discuss retirement planning and give tips on how to make the most out of your financial investments.

On Saturday afternoon, Jim Beecher of R.R. Street & Co. will present “Managing the Future with Your ROI” at 3 p.m. Beecher is the chief financial officer for R.R. Street. He will give attendees practical tools that can be used to better define, measure and manage the key factors driving ROI (Return-On-Investment) in the drycleaning industry.

Later in the evening, attendees can unwind at an exhibitor hospitality at 6 p.m., followed by a dinner banquet at 6:30 p.m.

On Sunday morning, Roxanne Rogers of The Rogers Resource will discuss “It’s Not Your Daddy’s Workplace Anymore” at 9:15 a.m. The presentation will be especially helpful to owners and managers, emphasizing employment law, sexual harassment and lawsuit prevention.

The day’s activities will conclude with a board meeting at noon.

This year’s headquarters hotel will be the Des Moines’ Hotel Savery. A discounted room rate of $79 per night has been reserved for those who call (800) 798-2151 by Oct. 4 and affiliate themselves with INDLA’s fall seminar.

Complete registration packages are available at $95 per member and $135 for each non-member by Oct. 4. The packages include admission to the Friday reception, a breakfast buffet, all four educational seminars, refreshment breaks and entrance to the exhibit hall.

Individual packages to events can also be purchased by members and non-members alike.

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

The stain removal duo of Dennis Schmitt and Tom Swink will be back together to hold their popular “Spot Safe” seminar series on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25 & 26 in Butler, WI.

The seminars will be at the Herb Fitzgerald Company, located at 13150 W. Glendale Ave.

Three different levels of classes will be offered.

The beginner’s course will run from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 25 and will feature hands-on instruction on: spotting board techniques and maintenance; fabrics, buttons, construction and limits; and dry side chemicals.

On Saturday morning, the intermediate class will run from 8 a.m. until noon will include: a review of stains and chemicals; fabric identification; burn testing; and acids and alkalis.

The advanced session will run later in the day from 1 to 5 p.m. and will cover: bleaches; wedding gowns; a review of chemicals and fabrics; and problem garments brought in by attendees.

Cost is $105 for members for all three seminars and $275 per student for non-members. Individual classes cost $110 per student for non-members and $35 per student for members with a $50 WFI Auction Subsidy.

For more information, call (414) 529-4707.

The Kentucky Fabricare Association will present an Open House & Casino evening in October.

The newest drycleaning solvent technology will be on display. There will also be cold and hot spotting demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at O’Dell Equipment at 133 Harrison Ave. in Jeffersonville, IN.

Attendees will also have a chance for fun at Caesar's Riverboat Casino. For information, call (800) 333-0355.