National Clothesline

The early bird registration ship for the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association’s Expo 2006 may have already set sail, but cleaners still have time to head for the Jersey Shore for the association’s convention and trade show.

The theme of this year’s program is “The Shore Road to Success.”

The event will take place on Sept. 16 and 17 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

So far, more than 200 booths have been reserved by exhibitors, whose offerings will run the gamut of drycleaning, wetcleaning and laundry equipment and supplies.

The exhibit hall will be open to attendees starting at 10 a.m. on both days of the weekend. Admission is free to cleaners.

PDCA will also offer an extensive schedule of educational seminars.

Saturday morning will begin with “A Look at the Changing Environmental Picture” at 9 a.m.

PDCA’s Vice President of Government Relations Dale Kaplan will moderate a discussion with the following panelists: David Dawson, vice president of R.R. Street Co., Inc. and chairman of the government affairs committee of the Textile Care Allied Trades Association; Stephen Risotto, executive director of the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance; Mary Scalco, senior vice president of the International Fabricare Institute; and Michael Tatch, president of Tatch Technical Services.

The group will examine environmental issues that are cropping up at the federal and state level and give attendees updates on what the trade associations are doing as a result. Cleaners will also learn what they can do in their own plants to keep ahead of the compliance curve.

On Sunday, PDCA will present an interactive audience participation program called “Breakfast With the Best.” It will begin at 9 a.m. and focus on the topic of turning cost savings into profits.

Art Hartzell of FH Bonn Co. will discuss “Reducing Energy Costs” and Jane Zellers of JCZ Training & Consulting will look at “Cutting Costs in Your Plant.”

Also on tap will be business and marketing consultant Lori Moore, who will show cleaners how to get the most out of their marketing budgets.

In addition to the educational programming, PDCA will also host a casual welcome reception at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and an elegant cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Full registration packages are available at a rate of $60 each. The full package includes admittance to all of the educational programs, as well as the social functions. Non-exhibiting allied trades must pay a $250 registration fee.

Cleaners may also purchase individual registrations at the following rates: $25 for the Saturday seminar session; $30 for the Saturday reception; and $30 for the Sunday seminar session.

All receptions and seminars are free for PDCA members (two per membership).

This year’s headquarters hotel is the Sheraton Atlantic City located at Two Miss America Way next to the convention center.

The hotel is a spectacular 15-story building conveniently located just a few blocks from the world-famous Atlantic City boardwalk and casinos.

For hotel reservations, call the hotel, (609) 344-3535.

Additional information on the PDCA Expo 2006 trade show can be obtained by contacting the association’s office at (800) 822-7352, or send e-mail correspondence to: expo@pdclean.org.