Discount registration deadline near for
SDA show
The Southwest
Drycleaners Association’s “Big
Deal” discount registration package ends soon and
cleaners hoping to take advantage of it have until the February
12 deadline to capitalize on the $99 price tag.
The complete package includes admittance
to all of the weekend seminars and the exhibit hall, as well as
major social functions such as the Friday night welcome
reception, the attendees/spouse hospitality, the general
membership and awards meeting and the Saturday night SDA
Celebration of dinner and dancing.
This year, the show will take place from
March 5-7 at the George R. Brown Convention Center at 1001
Avenida De Las Americas in Houston, Texas.
Astronaut John Blaha will headline the
Saturday morning seminars with “Major Observations of a
17-Year NASA Career” at 8 a.m. With more than 7,000 hours
of flying in over 34 different aircraft, Blaha has enjoyed many
life experiences and he will share them with attendees.
IFI Garment Analyst Chris Allsbrooks will
kick off the Sunday morning informative sessions at 8 a.m. with
a one-hour discussion on how to handle problem customers with
“There’s a Monster at My Counter!”
She will explain how counter personnel can
turn negative customer service situations into positive
opportunities that will ultimately increase customer loyalty
and overall plant profits.
Afterward, Margery Loeb will present
“Families in Business” at 9 a.m. She will speak on
the topic of mixing family with business and how to survive the
transition from generation to generation.
Following the conclusion of the
educational seminars, SDA will make its exhibit hall available
to the public. The aisles will open its doors between 9:30 a.m.
and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on
Sunday.
In addition to its business programs, SDA
has scheduled several relaxing social functions, as well,
including its annual golf tournament at noon on Thursday, March
4. Cleaners must register by February 20 to play; the cost is
$60 per person.
On Friday, attendees will have the option
to attend a tour of “Haunted Houston” that runs
from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Participants will experience various
historic Houston sites that date back to 1836, hearing stories
of Texas independence and the Civil War. The tour will leave
the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 2:15 p.m. The cost is $35 per
person.
On the same day, SDA will present its
board of directors meeting for board members and invited guests
only from 8:30 a.m. until noon. After an hour break for lunch,
the association will host its General Membership and Awards
meeting from 1 to 2:30 p.m. IFI Chairman of the Board Jim Cripe
will attend as a guest speaker.
On the following evening, guests will
enjoy four hours of fine dining and dancing from 7 to 11 p.m.
during the “SDA Celebration.”
SDA members may take advantage of
discounted room rates at the Hyatt, located at 1200 Louisiana
St. in Houston. The cost is $113 per night for single/double
occupancy for cleaners who call prior to February 12 and
mention the Big Show 2004. Triple occupancy rates are $138
nightly and quad occupancy costs $163 per night. To make
reservations, call the hotel at (713) 654-1234.
To register or find out more information
on the show, call SDA at (210) 826-4684.
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