National Clothesline

From July 28-30, the Savannah International Trade Convention Center will host the South Eastern Fabricare Association’s 2006 Southern DryCleaners Show.

The biennial event will open its exhibit floor — featuring over 100 exhibitors — from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Cleaners can expect a wide diversity of booths in the convention hall, including displays from equipment manufacturers, chemical suppliers, distributors, financial advisors and computer and software companies.

“We’re anticipating more than 1,500 attendees at this show, which promises to be one of our best,” said SEFA President Mark Watkins.

Getting things started for the weekend will be a networking cocktail party on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. at the poolside of the Westin Savannah Harbor hotel.

On the following morning, SEFA will begin the educational programming portion of the show, beginning with a seminar from Jim Goulet, service manager of Steiner Atlantic Corporation. He is scheduled to take the podium on Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m.

He will discuss the latest tools and techniques for the proper maintenance and servicing of drycleaning equipment. He will also focus on how owners can improve equipment efficiency and reduce costs.

On Sunday morning, NIE Insurance President Ann Hawkins will be on hand for a presentation at 8 a.m.

Since 1985, she has held an insurance license in Missouri, and she is a licensed property and casualty producer in 40 other states, as well. During her 23 years with NIE, Hawkins has underwritten more than 5,000 cleaning businesses.

During her session, Hawkins will help attendees learn how to analyze risks better so they can be aware of what it can potentially cost them and how they might be able to reduce it.

Finally, a seminar on “Solvent Cleanup Programs: Where Do They Stand?” by lawyer Fred McCormack will round out the educational programming at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Whether a business operates in a state that’s leading solvent cleanup initiatives or in one that’s yet to get started, it’s important to understand the latest legislative developments and how they drycleanesr.

McCormack has specialized in environmental, land use, administrative and transactional law for almost 30 years and was instrumental in the formation of the Florida Drycleaning Solvent Cleanup Program (DSCP).

He will share the story of the Florida program and provide an important update of what’s currently happening in other states.

Registration for the show is $15 for plant owners and $5 for plant employees. Non-exhibiting allied trades must pay $50 each.

This year, there are two hotel options for attendees. For reservations at the Westin Savannah Harbor, located at 1 Resort Drive, call the hotel at (912) 201-2000. For a room at the Hyatt Regency Savannah at 2 W. Bay St., call (912) 238-1234. Identify yourself as an attendee of SEFA’s Southern Drycleaners Show to receive the special convention rate.