National Clothesline

Two years ago, the North East Fabricare Association moved the location of its biennial exhibition and show to the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence with hopes of accommodating the growing scope of the event.

The change proved to be a good one, so NEFA is again planning to host the program in the same location. However, this year, the show date for Fabricare Image ’04 has been pushed back to June 11-13 —†providing a little more distance away from the harsh, winter months.

So far, more than 70 different companies have committed to attend, promising to display all of the latest technology and ideology the drycleaning industry has to offer. Hours of operation for the exhibit hall will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Prior to the exhibit hall opening, NEFA will kick start the weekend with a board of directors and allied trades welcome reception from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday night.

Then the following morning, NEFA plans to keep attendees occupied with a challenging program of educational sessions, beginning with a panel discussion on the topic of “Managing for Profit.” Ted Barry of John Barry & Associates, will moderate.

Cleaners will have an opportunity to learn proven methods on increasing their market share and profits. The program will emphasize tips on creative marketing, cost cutting practices and proper managing procedures. Other topics include: when to raise prices, where costs can be saved and how to make the best of a limited advertising budget.

At 10:30 a.m., a two-hour presentation on “Managing Your Return Investment — Understanding the Relationship Between Equality, Productivity and Profitability” will feature guest speaker James J. Beecher, the executive vice president and chief financial officer of R. R. Street & Company, Inc.

Beecher will provide some practical tools that can be applied to better define, measure and manage the key factors which affect a business’s Return-On-Investment (ROI). Participants will gain a better understanding of how they can have a positive effect on their company’s ROI.

He will also examine the relationship between process quality, productivity and profitability.

Later in the evening, NEFA will host a cocktail reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

On Sunday, IFI analyst Lorraine Muir will get things rolling with a presentation on “Quality Cleaning: How Do You Measure Up?” It will run from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Muir will explore some of the more common cleaning pitfalls that can be found in some of today’s fashions, with special attention paid to how garment nightmares can be avoided. She will use the latest horrifying examples that have passed through the walls of IFI’s Analysis Lab.

Attendees who do not want to be present at all of the weekend’s events may purchase individual registration packages. The cost for the Friday evening welcome reception is $15 per person and the cost for the Saturday night cocktail party is $25 per person.

Admission to each educational seminar is $15 per person, or $30 for all three.

Those who wish to attend all of the functions can purchase a total registration package for $70. The price also includes two vouchers for a free drink at any of NEFA’s cocktail receptions.

Hotel arrangements at the Westin Providence, located at One Westin Exchange St., may be procured at a discounted rate of $159 per night. For reservations, attendees should call (401) 598-8000 and mention their affiliation with Fabricare Image ’04.

For more information, contact NEFA by calling (781) 942-7630.

Cleaners in New England seeking to improve their pressing or spotting skills will have a couple chances to do so in classes sponsored by the Laidlaw Corporation during May.

Bob Scalice, a former instructor for the National Cleaners Association who is now with the Laidlaw Corp., will teach a class on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11 and 12.

The class will be held at Ray’s Drycleaners, located at 141 Franklin St. in Wrentham, MA. It will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on both evenings.

Cleaners looking for help on pressing everything from silks to pleats will want to attend.

Later in the month, Laidlaw will offer an additional seminar that will focus on the art of spotting.

It will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, May 19 and 20, at Champion Cleaners, located in Marlboro, MA.

The class is specifically designed to move at a quicker pace than a beginning spotting class. Topics to be covered will include the use of digesters, mineral oil baths and strippers. Many tips for bleaching will also be presented.

For additional information on the classes being offered by Laidlaw, contact Mike Achin at (508) 878-8739, Brian Massey at (401) 339-4102 or Bill Forsman at (508) 269-6742. Cleaners may also e-mail directly to: wetspomike@comcast.net.

Al Robson of Biz Builder Services will present a seminar on “Building Profitable Routes” in Providence, Rhode Island on June 19.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees will learn about route penetration, including how to find and sign up customers. Route mapping, commercial buildings vs. residential delivery, the pros and cons of having your driver be your sales representative, paying your drivers and sales representatives, how to maximize the sales volume of each customer will also be among the topics covered.

Cost is $399 for single attendees and $349 for two or more.

The Northeast Laundry Association will be hosting a spring seminar and golf outing during the second week of May.

On Wednesday, May 12, the association will present a seminar on “The Chase Selling System” by Bob Vieno, CEO of Bob Vieno and Associates, Inc.

Vieno is a business consultant and trainer with over 30 years of public speaking experience. He is also the developer of “The Chase Selling System,” a highly efficient turnkey selling system for companies who rely on outside salespeople.

The seminar will be held at the Sheraton Newton hotel, located at 320 Washington St. in Newton, MA.

On the following day, NELA will host its 10th annual Spring Golf Outing at the Sandy Burr Country Club in Wayland, MA.

For more information on either event, call the NELA office at (781) 397-8870.