IDC to focus on problems, growth
The International Drycleaners Congress will feature speakers who will focus on current problems and opportunities for
growth when it holds
its annual convention from October 19-21 at the Hilton Hotel in San Francisco.
The opening theme will center on the California ban on perc. Lynette Watterson, owner of Crystal Cleaning Center in San Mateo and immediate past president of the
California Cleaners Association,
will give insight into the deliberations that were involved, and how cleaners will proceed now.
David Dawson of R. R. Street & Co. Inc., who serves as chair of the government affairs committee of the
Textile Care Allied Trades Association, will also discuss the California
experience, focusing more on its implications for the global industry.
The meeting will turn to business growth and promotion as Trudy Adams, director
of customer service and sales for Cleaners Supply, Inc., explains how customer
service and energized employees = satisfied customers = WOW.
John Jordan of Fabritec International will talk about branding and, following his presentation, Becca Anderson of The Write One will explain the
details of marketing a service.
Plant tours to some of the area’s outstanding facilities will allow participants to see the operation of some of the best drycleaning shops in the area.
Saturday’s program will continue with the theme of expanding business. Milt Chortkoff of
Milt and Edie
’s Cleaners in Los Angeles will talk about how to satisfy customers’ wants.
Introducing and Building a Route will be detailed by Harvey Gershenson, former
owner of Sterling Cleaners, now an industry consultant and columnist for
National Clothesline.
Fabric specialist Doris Easley will talk about how to generate new income by restoring treasured textiles.
The program will also include a roundup of reports on the state of the industry
all over the world. Among the speakers will be Murray Simpson,
CEO of Britain’s textile care industry trade association, the Textile Services Association.
In addition to the business sessions, there will be ample time for networking
with other representatives from around the world at the opening reception, the
gala banquet and the sayonara breakfast. The banquet will include the
traditional flag ceremony, celebrating the flags and anthems of each
participating nation.
Registration for the convention is $550 for members. To register or for more
information, go to www.idcnews.org or contact Yamato Travel, (800) 334-4982.
The pre-convention tour will leave from the San Francisco airport and head to
San Luis Obispo to visit the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, often called
the
“Prince of Missions,” and will stay at the Apple Farm, a romantic country inn with lush gardens, and
a step back in time at the authentic mill house. The next day the tour will
head to San Simeon
for a guided tour of Hearst Castle.
From there, the group will drive to Monterey, visiting historic Cannery Row,
Fisherman
’s Wharf and the area around them, staying at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa on Cannery Row, right on the waterfront.
On Monday, the tour will head to Napa Valley. Upon arrival, they will board the
Napa Valley Wine Train and view the scenic Napa Valley in
“elevated style” aboard the elegant, fully glass-topped 1947 Pullman Vista Dome Dining Car.
Participants will enjoy a four-course gourmet lunch with a glass of Napa Valley
’s sparkling wine.
The next day the tour will visit Napa Valley in style in a luxury limousine,
calling on three wineries before a picnic in the picturesque countryside with a
gourmet lunch. Lodging in Napa Valley will be at the Embassy Suites.
On the way back to San Francisco for the convention, the group will stop at the Marin French Cheese Factory in Petaluma, and tour their cheese making
operation. (This is where the
“California Contented Cows” of television fame live.) Samples of some of their 35 varieties of cheese will be available for tasting.
Total cost of the tour per person, based on double occupancy is $1,750; single occupancy is $2,285.
More details on the tour are available at www.idcnews.org, or Yamato Travel,
800-334-4982.
