National Clothesline

Last year, the Federation of Korean Drycleaners Associations recorded attendance numbers greater than 6,000 for its first ever Expo. This year, they hope to duplicate that success with CLEXPO USA.

The event will be held March 24-25, 2007 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.

It is expected to draw laundry owners from all over USA and Korea, as well as a multitude of regional drycleaners and laundry owners and even potential investors.

The trade show will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest in technology for the drycleaning and laundry industry. The most current machinery available will be on full display.

Additionally, cleaners will be able to network and share ideas with their peers.

As an added bonus, there will be several educational seminars. The topics will be announced in the near future.

Exhibitors will be able to move in starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 22.

The actual exhibit hours for the weekend will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 25.

Free pre-registration is available at the show’s official site, www.clexpousa.com. Those who sign up early will have two days of free access to the exhibit hall and all of the weekend’s educational seminars.

For more information on the show, call (718) 729-8825.

A pair of informative educational sessions highlighted the Oregon Dry Cleaners Association’s recent Fall convention and tabletop display, held Oct. 20-22 at Spirit Mountain Casino in Grande Ronde, OR.

Steve LaCesa, an independent insurance agent, gave a presentation on how cleaners can prepare in advance for a disaster whether it be an act of nature, a delivery van accident, a busted water pipe or some other bout of bad luck.

Also appearing was John Ledger from Associated Oregon Industries. He handed out a guide sheet for cleaners to help them evaluate their current insurance. He also outlined some of the ins and outs of the state’s legislative process.

Dick De Zeeuw of the state’s Department of Environmental Quality updated attendees with the current status of cleanups, the inspection process, and the availability of insurance funds.

Rounding out the list of speakers was National Cleaners Association’s Executive Director Nora Nealis, who gave a seminar on “Company Spirit,” namely how to achieve it, maintain it and what to do with it.

During the convention, ODCA presented its 40th annual Tom Mosher Award to Kathey Butters of Butters & Associations.

Tom Mosher was President of the Oregon Dry Cleaners Association in 1966 when he passed away. His wife Lois finished his term. To honor his dedication to the industry, ODCA annually presents an award in his honor recognizing an outstanding drycleaner who actively participates in his or her community.

Butters has served as ODCA’s president twice — once in 2001 and more recently in 2005. She previously owned and operated a cleaners in Salem before retiring. Now, she travels around the state as a consultant and trains other cleaners. She also serves on the DEQ Advisory Committee.