National Clothesline

Judging by the upcoming slate of programs offered by the Southwest Drycleaners Association, regional cleaners will have plenty of opportunities to improve their industry skills in 2006.

Perhaps the most important event from SDA is its annual convention, which will be held from March 30 through April 2 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX.

The association will get the ball rolling early on Thursday morning with an Executive Committee meeting at 10 a.m. Afterward, cleaners will have a chance to hit the fairways at noon for the association’s annual golf tournament. A $70 registration fee is required to attend.

A relaxing afternoon of golf should help cleaners feel refreshed and ready for the multitude of business-related activities planned for the following day.

On Friday morning, an SDA Board of Directors Breakfast will feature IFI CEO Bill Fisher as its guest speaker.

Following that, the association’s board of directors will meet from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Both events are for the SDA board and invited guests only.

A General Membership and Awards meeting will commence after lunch from 1 to 2:30 p.m. IFI President Gary Dawson will be present to moderate.

Attendees can relax and enjoy a “Cowtown USA” tour through some of the historic regions of Fort Worth from 2:45 to 5:45 p.m. Registration is $37 per attendee.

Friday’s events will conclude with a “Showcase Sneak Preview” party on the showroom floor from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is open to all attendees.

The exhibit hall will officially open at 9 a.m. on Saturday until 5:30 p.m. that afternoon. It will also be open from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday.

On Saturday evening, SDA will also host a “Meet & Greet” followed by a Cowtown USA Celebration. Those who attend can partake in dinner, dancing and other entertainment.

On Sunday, the educational seminars start at 8 a.m. as Bill Fisher discusses the “IFI Award of Excellence Program.”

Next up, an expert panel will examine the recent tragedies of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, informing cleaners how they can “Survive Catastrophe.”

SDA will also host a “Brown Bag” seminar at 11:45 a.m. that will divulge to attendees some eye-opening “Confessions of a Secret Shopper.”

Full registration packages for the convention start at $79 per person if paid prior to March 15; after that date, the price goes up to $94 per person.

The package includes admittance to all seminars, a spouse hospitality, the General Membership & Awards meeting, the Showcase Sneak Preview, a “Cowboy” breakfast and the Cowtown USA Celebration.

Basic registration packages are also available for cleaners.

SDA’s allocation of rooms at the headquarters hotel, the Radisson Plaza, has been filled but rooms are available at two nearby hotels. The Fort Worth Plaza Hotel, a five-minute walk from the convention center, offers a rate of $99 for a single or double; call (877) 389-7829. At the Park Central Hotel, a 10-minute walk from the center, rates are $70 a night for a single or double; call (817) 336-2011.

Prior to SDA’s convention, the association is working in conjunction with IFI to present a finishing seminar on Saturday, March 4 in Kansas City, MO.

It will run from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. at Arrow Fabricare Services, 3838 Troost Ave.

Instructor Jane Rising will be on hand to demonstrate finishing techniques that will teach cleaners how to produce a quality garment while saving them time.

Those who participate will learn about: finishing equipment; finishing tools and aids; how to finish different fabrics; and pleating procedures.

The cost is $99 for IFI/SDA members and $89 each for additional members from the same plant. Non-members pay $129 and $119 for each additional non-member from the same plant.

The cost includes lunch and materials. To register, call (800) 638-2627, Ext. 1603.

Also on tap from SDA is an upcoming course on stain removal at its school located on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

Instructor Chris Allsbrooks will instruct students from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 23.

The course will emphasize proper stain removal techniques — everything from understanding textiles to the use of bleaches.

The cost is $205 for IFI/SDA members and $305 for non-members. To register, contact SDA at (210) 826-4684.