Michiganers meet in Port Huron
The Michigan Institute of Laundering and Drycleaning’s annual convention will take place from July 27-28; however, time is quickly
running out for cleaners wanting to take advantage of early registration
discounts.
Members who sign up prior to July 13 need pay only $155 each for a full
registration package; after that date, the costs goes up to $175 per member.
For non-members, registration costs $195 before the deadline and $215 afterward.
Spouse/guest registration will increase, as well. It goes up $30 to $125 per
person after the July deadline.
This year, the event will be hosted at the Thomas Edison Inn located in Port
Huron, Michigan.
It is imperative for cleaners to make hotel reservations by the July 13th
deadline to ensure availability and rates. MILD has already secured a rate of
$99 per night.
To make reservations, call the Thomas Edison Inn at (810) 984-800 ext. 405 and
mention your affiliation with MILD.
The weekend festivities will kick off on Friday following a three-hour board
meeting by the association that will begin at 1 p.m.
Afterward, attendees can gather on board the “Huron Lady II” boat at 6 p.m. for “An Evening Under the Stars” cruise along the St. Clair River and lower Lake Huron. It will be a perfect
opportunity for socializing and networking; there will be appetizers and a cash
bar.
On Saturday morning, the educational sessions will begin at 8:45. The first will
feature Kent Downy of Unemployment Services, Inc.
A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, he has over 19 years of experience
assisting employers with controlling and reducing unemployment claims and
taxes.
He will discuss what’s new with unemployment costs and how plant owners can save money by utilizing
an unemployment services company.
At 9 a.m., Dean Kampman of The Mayfield Group will deliver a seminar on “Fabricare Marketing Tips From a Pro.”
Kampman has spent the last 15 years working with cleaners in establishing and
implementing a sales and marketing plan that builds dollar volume, as well as
enhancing public image.
The hour-long session will examine several proven effective sales ideas.
The next program will begin at 10:15 a.m. and feature Tim Beckwith of Re/Max.
Cleaners who have ever considered buying an additional store or other
commercial business are well-advised to attend, as are plant owners who have
thought about selling but wonder what the real market value of their business
is.
Beckwith has over three decades of experience in sales and business development
and is an agent with Re/Max Real Estate Professionals in Lansing.
The final program of the day will be Carol Memberg, publisher of National
Clothesline and executive director of the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners
Association. She is slated to speak from 11 a.m. until noon.
She will give an update on the latest happenings in the industry, emphasizing
the things cleaners need to know in order to stay ahead of the competition.
Memberg and her late husband, Sol, started National Clothesline in 1961 as a
regional publication. Over the years, the paper has expanded while remaining a
family business. Memberg
’s daughter, Leslie Schaeffer, manages the publication.
Once the educational sessions conclude, cleaners will have the afternoon free to
chase more leisurely pursuits.
MILD will host a golf outing at the Black River Golf Club from 1 to 6 p.m. Black
River is a nationally ranked USGA course, challenging to golfers of all
abilities. The cost to participate is $60 for members and $75 for non-members.
Non-golfers will have many options to choose from to fill up their spare time.
Local attractions include the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, the Carnegie Center of
Arts and History, the Thomas Edison Museum, the Huron Lightship and the Blue
Water Trolley Tour, among others.
Also, during the weekend of the convention, there will be the 2007 St. Clair
River Classic Offshore Race, which is part of the Great Lakes Silver Cup Series
and the Offshore Super Series.
After several hours of fun, cleaners can return to the Thomas Edison Inn for a
cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by the association
’s annual President’s Gala and Awards presentation.
For more information on the upcoming convention, call (517) 327-9207, send
e-mail to
allisonb@eurich.com.
