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With over 85,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space to offer, the California Cleaners Association’s Fabricare 2006 convention and trade show will display all the latest cleaning industry machinery, equipment, supplies, and services.

As an added incentive, the trade show will be free for all drycleaners.

The Aug. 18-20 event at the Long Beach Convention Center will feature an exhibit from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

In addition to giving attendees a chance to check out the latest technology and wares the industry has to offer, CCA has also planned a variety of educational offerings throughout the weekend.

The first two programs will begin on Friday morning. IFI CEO Bill Fisher and CCA President Lynnette Watterson will take the podium for “2006 and Beyond,” which will examine the notable industry developments this year and a speculation on what the future may hold for the cleaning industry as a whole.

The seminar will run from 9 to 10 a.m.

Afterward, CCA Lobbyist Mike Belote and Mel Fong from the California Air Resources Board will team up for a “Legislative and Regulatory Update” presentation at 10:15 a.m.

Belote will take a look at what is happening in the halls of the State Capitol and how it will affect plant owners and their employees. Fong will provide an update on the new Air Toxics Control Measure that impacts over 90% of the state’s cleaners.

At 8:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, Howard Kaschyk of The Marketing Shop will speak on the subject of “Cloning Your Best Customers.” He will help cleaners learn how to identify their “big tuna” customers and discover their common traits in order to successfully find more great customers.

IFI Garment Analyst Chris Allsbrooks will follow with “Confessions of a Secret Shopper!” at 10 a.m. She will divulge some of the results of the industry’s first secret shopper program, including why some real drycleaning customers will never go back to their old cleaner.

Another informative highlight of the weekend will be the “Extreme Lobby Makeover” presentation on 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Earlier this year, CCA announced the winner of a free lobby makeover contest it had sponsored and now the final results will be on full display.

Also during the weekend, CCA will host a two social functions designed to bring cleaners closer together.

On Friday evening, they will host a “Catch the Wave” cocktail party from 5:30 to 7 p.m. where they will acknowledge the state’s 5-Star cleaners and recognize their allied trades members.

The President’s Reception and Gala dinner will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday evening, and will feature the installation of the new CCA officers and the announcement of the Dry Cleaner and Allied Trades Member of the Year awards.

A full convention registration package is available at a rate of $150 for members, $250 for non-members and $75 for spouses/
guests for those who sign up prior to July 21. After that, the price goes up $25 for members and non-members.

Discounted rooms are available at the host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, at a rate of $155 plus occupancy tax. Reservations must be made prior to July 25 by calling (562) 491-1234 or (800) 233-1234. Be sure to identify yourself as a Fabricare 2006 attendee.