MILD offers new benefits, training series
The Michigan Institute of Launderers and Drycleaners recently expanded its services to include more savings for its member cleaners.
The association is offering a Benefit Edge Bronze Package, which provides
discounts on a variety of grocery, gas and auto maintenance purchases.
Members who receive the savings card can utilize them at all Kroger grocery
stores and their affiliates, as well as all services offered by any Jiffy Lube
center nationwide.
MILD members will also save at the gas pump as the package includes discounts on
all fuel purchases at Speedway or Super America locations.
The Jiffy Lube discount amounts to 10 percent on all oil changes and ancillary
services at participating locations.
The gasoline discount is good for 4.5 percent off the price of gas when you fill
up using the card; there are also discounts on all purchases made at any
Speedway or Super America convenience stores.
MILD members shopping at Kroger grocery stores will receive a 4 percent credit
which will be rebated to them in the form of a quarterly payment.
More details on the program are available on the web at
www.abcsaves.awarecart.com/mild1.php.
In addition to the new benefits being offered, there will also be many of the
same benefits that MILD annually offers: educational programs.
Management training
The association’s four-part management training seminar series will conclude with its final
three parts.
On Friday, March 9, the second installment is scheduled to take place. It will
focus on the internal operations of the drycleaning plant, including its
equipment, system procedures and technology.
Part three is set for Friday, April 6. It will outline the legal regulations and
ethical practices for effective human resources.
Finally, the last installment of the series will be held on Friday, May 4, and
will examine sales and marketing, client and vendor relationships, and the
diversification of services.
Each session will begin at 9 a.m. and run until about 3:30 p.m. Breakfast and
lunch will be provided to attendees. The cost for each session is $200 per
person.
Further down the road, MILD will presents its 2007 annual convention on July 27 & 28 at the Thomas Edison Inn in Port Huron, Michigan.
Friday evening will feature an “Evening Under the Stars” from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees will enjoy cruising on the “Huron Lady II” boat on the St. Clair River. It will be an excellent socializing opportunity
and a good way to kick off the conference.
On Saturday, MILD will host educational sessions starting at 9:30 a.m. until
noon. In the afternoon, there will be a golf outing starting at 12:20 p.m.
Afterward, MILD will host a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by the
annual awards and banquet dinner at 7 pm
Hotel reservations are available at the Thomas Edison Inn for a discounted rate
of $99 per night. MILD members can call (800) 451-7991 for reservations. Be
sure to mention your affilliation with the conference.
For more information on any of MILD’s services or programs, contact the association’s office at (517) 327-9207 or visit the web site at www.mildmi.org.
Eagle Star plans free marketing seminar in April
Drycleaners can’t afford to miss any seminars on marketing, especially ones that are free.
On April 18, Eagle Star Equipment in Troy, Michigan will host a free marketing program at 2329 Alger for cleaners
interested in increasing sales volume and customer retention.
It will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch being served at 11:30 a.m. As an
added bonus, a wetcleaning seminar will immediately follow from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Participants must pre-register prior to April 14.
Industry experts will relate some of their marketing, packaging, promotion and
wetcleaning experience in individual presentations at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
and 4:30 p.m.
Additionally, a Continental Girbau marketing expert will provide advice on how
to market to niche audiences through direct mail, advertising and the internet.
Also making an appearance will be Mike Bommerito of Logovision, who will examine
quality promotions; an EJ Thomas representative who will share information on
packaging; and Terry Moreland of Seitz who will provide extensive information
on wetcleaning.
“Participants will learn new approaches for packaging clothing, gain insight into
which promotions keep customers coming back, and learn about wetcleaning as a
new profit center,
” said Jeff Quail, general manager of Eagle Star Equipment.
To register, call Quail (800) 482-3400 ext. 14.
