NCA expects good things at TexCare
The National Cleaners Association expects that its TexCare 2007 show will be the
largest of its kind for drycleaning and co-op laundry in the region this year.
“There are more drycleaners and coin-op laundry operators concentrated in the
Northeast than in any other place in the world and they come to TexCare to do
business,
” said NCA’s Special Projects Director Ann Hargrove. “TexCare welcomed almost 3,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors in 2005 with this
year
’s show already surpassing those numbers, with 80 percent of the booths already
sold.
”
The event will be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ,
Oct. 20 and 21.
Admission to the main exhibit hall will be free to all drycleaners and co-op
owners.
The exhibits will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“We have commitments from the drycleaning and laundry industry’s biggest equipment distributors and solution suppliers and have coordinated
some live demonstrations of equipment and process improvements that will take
your breath away,
” noted Hargrove.
In addition to the latest technological triumphs showcased in the hall, NCA has
planned several educational seminars for TexCare.
The association will actually host a program on Friday, Oct. 19, before the
event officially kicks off.
It will be headed by Jason Loeb, owner of Sudsies.com in Florida. He will
conduct a full-day seminar and question and answer workshop focussing on how to
build a profitable pickup and delivery business and develop a successful
drycleaning brand.
Loeb will share his secrets of success, explaining how he combined branding,
marketing and web site tools to grow his coin laundry and drycleaning operation
from nothing into a multi-million dollar juggernaut with 10 pick-up and
delivery trucks on the road six-days-a-week.
The program will be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. It will cost $495
per seat. Breakfast and lunch will be served.
For tickets, contact Vivian Benn at NCA, (212) 967-3002.
On Saturday, NCA will kick off its TexCare educational programs at 8 a.m. with
Kirsten Whitten, co-owner of G.T. Graphics
& Marketing in Hanson, MA, and an award-winning public relations specialist.
She will present “Unharnessing the Power of Public Relations,” providing attendees with the tools necessary to create a buzz about their
business and to attract a lot of media coverage.
At 9 p.m., Kelly Kelleher, principal of Kelleher Equipment Co. in Long Beach,
CA, and former realtor, will take the podium for
“The Art of Negotiating a Lease.”
She will discuss several legal issues ranging from signage to parking to
insurance and environmental issues.
More educational seminars will continue on Sunday, including one by Alan
Spielvogel, technical director for NCA and director of the New York School of
Drycleaning.
At 8 a.m., he will help attendees learn how to analyze and deal with problem
garments and resolve customer service issues effectively in a session titled
“Watch Out!”
Afterward, a representative from the commisioner’s office of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Conservation will be on
hand to examine future regulatory initiatives concerning that state
’s drycleaners. A question and answer session will follow.
In addition to the exhibit hall and the educational sessions, NCA has alloted
time for socializing and relaxation.
Those not adverse to some fun “amateur” gambling will want to head to the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday evening for
NCA
’s “Night at the Races.” There will be a buffet, drinks and thoroughbred racing.
NCA has secured arrangements with three hotels within walking distance of the
Meadowlands Exposition Center: Embassy Suites, 455 Plaza Dr., (401) 864-7300;
Hampton Inn, 250 Harmon Meadow Blvd., (201) 867-4400; and Harmon Meadow Holiday
Inn, 300 Plaza Drive, (201) 348-2000.
For reservations, contact the hotels directly and mention the group name
National Cleaners Association TexCare
’07 as soon as possible to ensure room availability.
Admission to the exhibit hall may be free for drycleaners and coin-op laundry
owners, but not for everybody else. Pre-registration for non-exhibiting allied
trades is $200 per person for a two-day pass. On-site registration is $300.
Registration for non-exhibiting consultants is $100 per day per person or $150
per day for on-site registration. For more information, call (212) 967-3002 or
visit
www.nca-i.com.
NCA raffle offers chance for $25,000
The National Cleaners Association is selling tickets for its fourth annual
reverse raffle with 1,000 tickets for sale at $100 each.
This year, the organization is offering a deal of buy two tickets, get one free.
The winner can choose either a 2007 Mustang convertible or a $25,000 cash
prize.
The second place winner will receive a choice of an HDTV or the cash equivalent.
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The winners’ names will be drawn on Friday, October 26th at 7 p.m. during a cocktail party
organized by NCA President Joe Hallak, featuring free food and soft drinks for
all raffle ticket holders.
All proceeds from the event benefit the NCA’s programs and initiatives, including legislative and regulatory advocacy and
assistance on regulatory issues and community-based programs, such as the Coats
for Kids program.
“The Reverse Raffle has become one of our fun events over the years,” said Hallak. “The money we raise is important in keeping many important above and beyond NCA
initiatives effective, and the drawing party is the crowning glory on a great
team effort by NCA members nationwide.
”
The reverse aspect of the raffle sustains the suspense of the event over a
couple of hours, as ticket after ticket is drawn and mounted on display boards
around the party room.
“When we get down to the last 10 or so tickets, the excitement really starts to
build,
” Hallak adds. “The last three times the holders of the final two tickets in the drum have opted
to split the cash prize, rather than go for broke. Personally, I
’d like to see there be one big winner this year, but $12,500 is a lot of money
to take a chance with.
”
To buy tickets, either call NCA, (212) 967-3002 and use a credit card number or
mail a check to NCA at 252 West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001.
