National Clothesline

Cleaners interested in learning how to say “no” to the IRS and keep more of their money should attend the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Drycleaning’s annual meeting and summer convention, July 23-25.

MILD has engaged Richard Fairchild, CPA, CSEP, for its educational sessions. A practicing CPA since 1979, he specializes in business consulting and estate planning.

In addition to being a regular instructor for the Michigan Associations of CPAs, he is a graduate of Michigan State University. His firm, Fairchild, Lebel & Rice, PC features four CPAs and a total of seven employees.

On Saturday morning, between 8:30 and 10 am, he will reveal numerous ways for attendees to reduce their taxable income by knowing which expenses are deductible. He will also outline ways for plant owners to structure their business in a manner that minimizes tax liability.

Other tips he’ll discuss include: how to write off $100,000 worth of equipment; two inexpensive and easy to use pension plans; deducting entertainment and meal expenses; and deducting traveling expenses to association meetings.

Fairchild will be back behind the podium on Sunday morning to offer more advice on various accounting matters between 9 and 11:30 am

MILD will host the convention at Boyne Highlands on 600 Highland Drive in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

The agenda will begin on Friday afternoon with a board meeting between 1 and 3 pm Afterward, there will be a vendor showcase, reception and silent auction at 5 pm The opening night will conclude with a 1950s theme dinner starting at 7 pm.

MILD will tee off for a golf outing at 10 am on Saturday at Heather Course. The cost is $112 per golfer, which includes a box lunch. Those not interested in swinging a club for the afternoon can instead participate in a two-hour canoe outing. The cost is $30 per person.

In the evening, the social activities will be in full gear, beginning with a cocktail reception at 6 pm, followed by the annual President’s Gala and Awards from 7 to 8:30 pm

MILD will host a tabletop exhibit on Friday, July 23 from 5 to 7 pm — at the opening night vendor reception — and again on Saturday morning during breakfast.

Full registration for the conference is $125 per member and $160 per non-member. The package includes admittance to the Friday night reception and cookout, a Saturday continental breakfast, plus the awards dinner on Saturday evening.

Spouses may register for a full package at a rate of $95 per person. Children under 18 cost $40 each.

Reservation requests for the Boyne Highlands Resort must be submitted prior to July 1. MILD has secured a discounted rate as follows: $97 per night for single or double occupancy for a Main Lodge Deluxe room and $115 per night for single or double occupancy for a Main Lodge Suite. Call (800) GO-BOYNE.

For more information on the annual meeting and summer convention, contact the MILD office at (517) 327-9207.

The Ohio Cleaners Association has recruited guest speaker Roger J. Warrum to headline its annual summer meeting, which is scheduled from July 22-24 at Kings Island Resort and Conference Center.

Warrum is the president of the National Center for Family Business and has more than 25 years experience in family business consulting.

His first seminar has been slated for 9 am on Thursday, July 23 and is entitled “Flying by the Seat of Your Pants.” The two-hour presentation will examine the ten most common family business planning mistakes, with an emphasis on how owners can recognize when changes in procedures or people should occur at the plant and how to go about implementing them.

Warrum will be back on the podium at 8:30 am on the following day with a two-hour look at “Family Business Mistakes.”

Because less than 13 percent of family business owners make it successfully through the third generation, it is important to understand why. The program will focus on: how to avoid conflict and miscommunication; mistakes in succession; the problem of secrecy; and how to hold family members and employees accountable for their actions.

OCA will also host a golf tournament at 11 am on Thursday at the Grizzly Golf Course. The cost is $50 per player, which includes greens fees, lunch, cart, and prizes.

The association will present a cocktail reception, an annual dinner/awards meeting and a president’s hospitality suite later that evening.

On Saturday night, there will be a Cook-out at Kings Island Park prior to the OCA board meeting the following morning at 10:45 am, which will conclude the weekend’s events.

Full registration packages are available at a rate of $150 for members and $200 for non-members. Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 may also attend for $70 a piece; children between 3 and 12 pay $25 each.

Hotel rooms for single or double occupancy are available at the Kings Islands Resort for a cost of $113 per night for cleaners who call (800) 727-3050 prior to June 30. For more information, call (614) 221-1900.

An advanced training seminar emphasizing the installation, maintenance and diagnostic methods for UniMac On-Premises Laundry (OPL) equipment is planned for July 12-16 at UniMac’s location in Ripon, WI.

The class is suited for veteran technicians with several years of experience. On Monday, class will meet from 9 am to 4:30 pm and cover UW washer extractors. UX washer extractors will be covered on the following day from 8 am to 4:30 pm

On Wednesday, UniMac will begin with an hour-long factory tour at 8 am Afterward, attendees will learn about UC washer extractors until 4:30 pm.

Troubleshooting for UC, UW and UX machines will be the topic of discussion on Thursday from 8:30 am until 2 pm Tumble dryers will be the focus for the remainder of the day, as well as from 8 am until noon on Friday.

To reserve space, a $100 non-refundable fee is required. Call UniMac at (920) 748-3121.