National Clothesline

A diverse collection of speakers will be present to discuss everything from service diversification to price structuring to drycleaning technology at the Rocky Mountain Fabricare Association’s 2004 Annual Conference and Table Top Exhibit.

The event will take place from May 14-15 at the Sheraton Hotel located at 2886 South Circle Drive in Colorado Springs, CO.

The first seminar slated for Friday, May 14, will be at 12:45 p.m. and will cover “Effective Pricing.” Kenney Slatten will explain the process of determining pricing for drycleaning services, including a look at the implementation of up charges and how to calculate your business costs.

At 2 p.m., an hour-long seminar on “SBAP and GAP/Hazardous Waste” will be conducted by Joni Canterberry and Kathryn Stewart. Cleaners confused by the maze of environmental regulation in the industry will learn compliance tips from the professionals at the Small Business Assistance Program and the Generator Assistance Program. Representatives from both groups will be available throughout RMFA’s conference to provide assistance.

Afterward, “24/7 Drycleaning — The Plant of the Future” will be discussed from 3:15 to 4: 30 p.m. A plant tour video and a computer demonstration will show cleaners how they can offer their customers easy convenience 24 hours a day with the most advanced technology available in the marketplace. The presentation will feature computer appliances sponsored by the Spot Point of Sale System.

Following the heavy day of educational workshops, RMFA will host a reception at its open table top displays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. that evening.

On Saturday morning, the table tops will be open again at 7:30 a.m. for an hour before a panel discussion on “Profitability Through Diversification” begins at 8:30 a.m. The 90-minute program will feature guest speakers Kenney Slatten, Roland Dobbins and Bob Blacker. Wetcleaning, fire and water restoration and a number of other specialty services designed to bring in additional revenue for drycleaners will all be examined.

From 10;15 to 11:15 a.m., IFI Vice President of Membership and Marketing Jon Meijer will focus his seminar on “IFI Tools and Support That Can Make You a More Profitable Drycleaner.” Meijer oversees all of the activities in IFI’s membership and marketing departments and is perfectly suited to help cleaners make the most out of their association membership.

Immediately following that seminar will be another on “Who Are the Successful Drycleaners? Where the Rubber Meets the Road.” Jeff Schwarz from A.L. Wilson Chemical Co. will be on hand to guide cleaners toward the path of success.

In the afternoon, a panel discussion on “Cost Savings in the Plant” will run from 1:30 to 3: 15 p.m. Bob Blacker, Kenney Slatten, Joe Blaha, Tim Burke, Paul Mandeville and Brian Hansen will all give their viewpoints on how to make your plant more profitable.

Registration for the conference is $75 per member and $100 per non-member if completed prior to April 23. After that date, the cost goes up to $100 for non-members and $125 for non-members. Those who attend may call the Sheraton Hotel directly and take advantage of a $67 nightly room rate (single/double occupancy) if they mention. RMFA.

For more information, call (800) 243-1233.

Laundry and Cleaners Supply will host a pair of Kenney Slatten seminars entitled Drycleaning 101.

Sponsored by R. R. Street & Co. Inc., the classes will be held on Saturday, May 22 in Phoenix and Sunday, May 23 in Tucson. The curriculum will include sections on stain removal and wetcleaning.

The $29.95 per person registration fee will be redeemable in vouchers for Street’s products.

For details, contact the Western States Drycleaners and Launderers Association, (602) 253-9186.