National Clothesline

Based on suggestions from its members, the Minnesota Cleaners Association believes this year’s “Keep It Clean” convention will be unique.

The event is planned for Feb. 20-21 at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN.

Friday’s schedule will feature an MCA board/allied trades meeting from 1 to 2:30 p.m., followed by an MCA board meeting from 2:45 to 4 p.m.

Later in the evening, a panel discussion starting at 6:30 p.m. will give attendees the opportunity to ask questions and get answers from state officials concerning the Best Management Practices guidelines currently in development.

Afterward, MCA will host its annual Silent Auction and Hospitality at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday morning, MCA will join the Department of Labor and Industry to offer a boiler exam at 8:30 a.m.

At the same time, roundtable discussions will take place. Speakers and topics include: Brad Dillon, unexpected maintenance issues; Michael Severance, financial planning; Ken Podpeskar, environmental law; Lynn Keller, training new customer service representatives; and Kit Sanders, budget vs. high end garment quality.

At 10:15 a.m., Ted Barry, vice president of operations for John Barry and Associates, will present “Operations Improvement,” offering profitable tips to cleaners.

There will be plenty of time for social interaction at the tabletop tradeshow, which runs between noon and 2:30 p.m.

Long-time industry speaker and expert Fran Sadler will conclude the educational seminars with “Problem Garments” from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.

A full seminar registration package is available early to members for a cost of $155 each; non-members pay $255. For those who wish to only attend Friday’s programs, the cost is $60 per member and $160 per non-member. For Saturday’s seminars only, members pay $99 and non-members pay $199 each.

All prices are in effect for those who register with a postmark prior to February 13; after that date, an additional $20 late fee will be charged.

Cleaners who wish to participate in the boiler exams must mail the appropriate registration forms directly to the Department of Labor and Industry by February 6, 2004.

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

The International Fabricare Institute and the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute are working together to bring hands-on training for quality finishing to Waukesha, WI on Saturday, March 20.

Attendees will be taught new time-saving finishing techniques designed to improve quality, helping to avoid problems such as double creases, swirl marks on rayon pants, and seam impressions, to name a few.

The seminar will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Klinke Cleaners, located in Westbrook Shopping Center at 2110 E. Moreland Blvd.

The cost is $69 for the first registrant from each plant and $59 per additional plant members. Lunch will be provided.

For information, contact IFI’s Education Department, (800) 638-2627, ext. 144.

The Indiana Drycleaners and Launderers Association announced its schedule of events for 2004, including a spotting and finishing seminar set for Saturday, March 13.

The event, cosponsored by the Laidlaw Corp., will take place from 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Classic Cleaners on Bash Avenue in Indianapolis, IN.

Instructors Mike Achin and Bob Scalice will bring their many years of drycleaning experience to the seminar. Achin works with Laidlaw as its director of chemical sales for Laidlaw. He is a former instructor for the National Cleaners Association, as well.

Scalice is also a former NCA instructor who taught finishing and pressing, drawing on his personal experience in the industry.

Both men will offer hands-on instruction throughout the course of the day. For more information, contact IDLA by calling (800) 401-0703.

Though details have yet to be finalized, IDLA also plans to host several other events, including a March spotting and wetcleaning seminar in the southern Indiana/northern Kentucky area. The class will be cosponsored by Adco and the Kentucky Fabricare Association.

In June, the association will present a maintenance seminar in Laundry City-Indianapolis.

In the same month, cleaners who would like a day off can go on a tentatively planned trip to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game.

When August arrives, IDLA members will have an opportunity to partake in the annual golf outing on the 27th. On the same day, a route building seminar will be presented by Rex Carrigan of Carrigan Consulting, and the association will host its annual meeting. The location is yet to be announced.

For more information on IDLA events, visit www.indianafabricare.org.