National Clothesline

The Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association is making plans for its upcoming trade show, Expo 2006.

Though the event won’t take place until September 16-17, PDCA has still managed to sell over a hundred booths so far, making the prospect of a successful convention seem inevitable.

Mark Pollock has been appointed to chair Expo 2006, which will be held at a familiar site: the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ.

In the meantime PDCA will be keeping its members busy with educational opportunities in the coming months.

First up is a wetcleaning seminar that will be co-sponsored by PDCA, Laidlaw and Cleaners Products South.

Carl Gardner, who serves as the Allied Trades Coordinator for PDCA, will be the instructor.

It will take place on Wednesday, March 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Gem Cleaners, located at 546 Carpenter Lane in Philadelphia.

Attendees will learn about synthetic additives, proper temperatures, water levels and extraction, stain removal and what not to wetclean. There will even be a few tricks offered for cleaning with a home washer.

The first 30 people who register will receive a gift from CPS.

One week later, PDCA will present a seminar on the topic of shirt finishing on Wednesday, March 22.

The program will be co-sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Cleaners and Laundry Association.

Instructor Lisa Dusak will demonstrate the proper techniques of shirt finishing.

For more information or to register for any upcoming programs, contact the PDCA office by calling (215) 830-8495 or (800) 822-7352.

In order to make membership dues pay off more, the MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners is consulting one-on-one with cleaners in an effort to save them as much money as possible.

MAC created its member evaluation process in 2005 and is continuing the service this year based on the positive feedback it has received so far from members.

“Our process may be the single most valuable business improvement tool offered by any professional association in our industry,” MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners Executive Vice President David Norford noted. “Conservatively, the value of an evaluation and consultation of this type is greater than $1,500 and it comes without additional charge beyond annual affiliation.”

“Typically we are finding that simple improvements along with a more watchful eye on critical business operations and policies, quickly yield significant positive results,” he continued. “It’s particularly gratifying to read follow-up comments from those that have taken the time to increase their income, profit, prestige, and professionalism.”

In order to qualify for the service, members are required to update their professional affiliation with IFI/MidAtlantic for a full year prior to eligibility.

For more information, contact the MAC office by calling (800) 235-8360.

The Western Pennsylvania Cleaning and Laundry Association will host its fifth annual Pirate Game Outing on Sunday, April 30, as the Philadelphia Phillies visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:35 p.m.

All tickets are only $7 for members if ordered by April 1. That figure includes admission to the game and a tailgate party with free food, drink and prizes.

Non-members and those who purchase tickets after April 1, will pay $10 each.

The tickets will be delivered two weeks prior to the game.

In all, more than 800 participants are expected to attend, making it one of the largest social events for drycleaners in the country.

Plant owners and managers are encouraged to buy tickets as gifts for employees and customers as a way to show their appreciation. Those who buy 50 or more tickets will receive recognition on the game scoreboard for their efforts.

Those who place their orders early will get the best seats. Seats are grouped in blocks of 50, 100 and 150. For more information, call (724) 327-5956.