SDA announces programs for annual
convention in March
The Southwest
Drycleaners Association will
be heading to Gulfport, MS, for this year’s annual
convention, March 20-23. This year marks the 96th annual
convention for SDA; although, it will be the first convention
since the association merged with the Mid-America Fabricare
Association and the Louisiana-Mississippi Drycleaners and
Launderers Association.
The host hotel for this year’s event
is the Gulfport Grand Oasis Resort & Spa, located on the
north side of Highway 90.
Golf lovers will have a chance to tee off
early on Thursday at SDA’s Golf Outing, which begins at 1
p.m. at the Windance Country Club. The cost is $80 per person,
which includes cart and green fees. Registration begins at
noon.
On Friday, attendees will have many
leisure opportunities available, including a trip on a deep sea
fishing charter boat excursion that costs $85 per person.
Those who prefer to remain on dry land may
opt for the Southern Charm Tour through historical Biloxi. The
cost is $50 per person.
Later in the afternoon, cleaners can
return their focus to business and attend the
convention’s first seminar: “Cows Don’t Give
Milk, You Have to Take It” at 5 p.m. Motivational speaker
Dr. David Lee was once a CEO for a company with over 2,000
employees. He will utilize his 20 years of leadership
consulting experience to reveal strategies and techniques
designed to help people derive more enjoyment from their lives
both personally and professionally.
Following the seminar, SDA will host a
welcome reception from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
IFI CEO Bill Fisher will be the guest
speaker at Saturday morning’s SDA board of directors
breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Afterward, SDA will host a board of
directors meeting until noon.
A separate hospitality breakfast for
attendees and spouses will run from 9 to 10 a.m.
Those looking for a way to spend the rest
of the morning might want to consider a tour of Beauvoir, home
of the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library, the Confederate
museum and veterans cemetery. Total cost is $21 per person.
In the afternoon, IFI President Jim Cripe
will host a general membership meeting from 1 to 2:30 p.m.,
followed by an educational seminar by IFI Garment Analyst Chris
Allsbrooks who will present “Talking Effectively with
Customers.” She will speak on customer expectations and
why customers quit, offering advise on words to use and avoid
while working behind the counter.
Saturday evening will finish with an SDA
dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by a show at the Beau Rivage at 9:
30 p.m.
Full registration packages are available
at a rate of $150 per member or $180 for non-members. Kids 12
and under may register for $90 each.
The full registration package includes
admittance to all educational seminars, as well as the welcome
reception on Friday evening. Several Saturday events are also
covered, including: the spouse hospitality/attendee breakfast,
the general membership meeting, and the SDA dinner and
evening at the Beau Rivage theater.
Hotel rooms are available at the Gulport
Grand Oasis Resort & Spa. Rates of $89 per night for single
or double occupancy have been secured for convention attendees.
For more information, call (888) 723-2567
or go on-line to: www.sda-dryclean.com.
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