National Clothesline

The theme of the 47th International Drycleaners Congress Convention, which took place in Orlando, FL, in June was “Fresh Ideas for Challenging Times.” Several thought provoking speakers shared their fresh ideas in an effort to encourage delegates to start thinking “outside the box.”

In the first session, “These Challenging Times,” Gary Dawson, president of International Fabricare Institute, outlined the many challenges facing the textile care industry: saturation of the market; wide differences in pricing; fashion changes; education of drycleaners; and complacency in the industry.

Nora Nealis of the National Cleaners Association discussed ways that trade associations can help members meet these challenges, including use of the new world of instant communications. Above all, associations needed to look outwards and deliver the message to the consumers. They must understand what differentiates the good from the bad cleaner, she explained.

Darcy Moen of the Customer Loyalty Network, a former drycleaner with several years experience before he turned to helping others achieve success, talked about customer loyalty and how a little creative thinking can help cleaners to retain and win back valuable customers.

The next session was all about diversification.

Sally Lorensen Conant operates a large gown preservation service in New England and is the administrative co-ordinator of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. She pointed out both the great opportunities in this area as well as possible pitfalls.

Malcolm MacGregor of Browns Cleaners and Tailors in Ottawa spoke about flood and fire restoration work, an apt subject with many areas around the world recently suffering from heavy rainfalls.

Finally, Hiroyasu Higuchi of the Tokyo Wholesale Company offered insight into cleaning leather bags and sofas as well as shoe cleaning, deodorization and sterilization.

Implementing New Marketing Initiatives Successfully was a session with Jim Parham and Nicole Just of Acme Drycleaners in Florida, two Canadian drycleaners, Jack Barth of Barth’s Cleaning Centre in Orangeville and David Hillary of Hillary’s Ltd. in Ottawa, and Sid Tuchman of Tuchman Training Systems in California. What all had in common was considerable experience in the drycleaning industry and an overwhelming desire to be the best in their area. Topics covered were customer relationships, rewarding customers using database marketing, the personal method of marketing and how to increase the value of your company.

To round off the presentations, there were reports on the state of the fabric care industry from Europe, the Americas, the Orient and Australasia.

Between presentations, delegates enjoyed an informative visit to Acme Cleaners, a large-scale plant in downtown Orlando, and, to end the convention, a formal banquet with entertainment from Chris Chan, an exceptional pianist who performed a wide range of songs and music.

During the banquet, the following awards were announced:

Presidents Award for outstanding support to IDC and the Canadian drycleaning industry: Tom White of T White Enterprises.

Presidents Award for outstanding service to the drycleaning industry in North America: Nora Nealis, National Cleaners Association.

The Makota Igarashi Award for outstanding service to the international garment restoration sector of the drycleaning industry: Sally Lorensen Conant, Association of Wedding Gown Specialists.

The George M Shepherd Award for support to IDC and its mission to strengthen international understanding and goodwill in the fabricare industry: Japan Cleaning Productivity Council (JCPC).

International Dry Cleaner of the Year 2005 for a lifetime of meritorious service to the international fabric care industry: Bill Fisher, International Fabricare Institute.

Following the awards, Marcia Todd, IDC president, handed the president’s gavel to Jack Barron of Coronado Cleaners and Laundry, El Paso, TX, who had been elected president for 2005-06 at the annual meeting held earlier in the day. All other officers for 2005-06 were then sworn in.

IDC’s mission is to strengthen international understanding and goodwill in the fabric care industry by exchanging information with worldwide members. For more information see the IDC web site,www.idcnews.org. Chris Tebbs, IDC’s executive director, can be reached by e-mail, ctebbs@idcnews.org, phone (403) 685-4755 or by fax (403) 256-9565.