TexCare headlines NCA’s Fall events
For the remainder of 2007, there will be no shortage of programs offered by the National Cleaners Association.
At the top of the list is the association’s annual TexCare convention, set from Oct. 19-21 at the Meadowlands Exposition
Center in Secaucus, NJ.
Admission to the main exhibit hall will be free to all drycleaners and coin-op
owners who attend.
The hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. on Sunday.
“This year’s show has a bigger and better response than TexCare 2005, which welcomed almost
3,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors,
” said Ann Hargrove, NCA’s Special projects director.
She reported that nearly 90 percent of the available exhibit booths were sold by
Sept. 1.
The convention’s educational sessions will begin on Saturday with a program at 8 a.m. by
Kirsten Whitten, co-owner of G.T. Graphics
& Marketing. She will discuss “Unharnessing the Power of Public Relations,” providing attendees with the tools to generate good media coverage.
After her presentation, Kelly Kelleher, principal of Kelleher Equipment Co. and
a former realtor, will speak on the subject of
“The Art of Negotiating a Lease.”
On Sunday, Alan Spielvogel, technical director for NCA and director of the New
York School of Drycleaning, will present
“Watch Out!”, a seminar that teaches attendees to analyze and deal with problem garments and
resolve customer service issues.
Next up, a representative from the commissioner’s office of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Conservation will examine
future regulatory initiatives concerning cleaners.
In addition to the seminars included with convention registration, NCA will
offer a separate program on Friday, Oct. 19, from Jason Loeb, owner of
Sudsies.com in Florida.
He will conduct a full-day seminar and Q&A workshop focussing on how to build a profitable pickup and delivery business,
as well as how to develop a prosperous drycleaning brand.
Loeb has a good deal of success on the subject, having transformed his
drycleaning operation from nothing into a multi-million dollar enterprise.
The program will also be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center and will cost
$495 per seat. Breakfast and lunch will be served. For tickets, contact Vivian
Benn at NCA by calling (212) 967-3002.
The exhibits and educational events are far from the only draws at TexCare this
year. NCA will also make sure attendees take time out and enjoy themselves.
On Saturday evening, the association will host a “Night at the Races,” offering amateur gambling at the Meadowlands Racetrack. There will be a buffet,
drinks and thoroughbred racing.
Cleaners looking for hotel arrangements have three options within walking
distance of the convention 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.
Admission to the exhibit hall is free for drycleaners and coin-op laundry
owners; however, registration for non-exhibiting allied trades is $300 on-site.
Registration for non-exhibiting consultants is $150 per day.
TexCare is just one of many upcoming events from NCA. The association will also
be hosting several Fall courses at its New York School.
The association will offer a two-day, 16-hour DEC certification course on
consecutive Sundays on Dec. 2 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The cost is $595 for members and $1,095 for non-members.
A two-day course covering “Fire Restoration” will take place on Oct. 6-7. The class will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Saturday and Sunday for a total of 16 hours.
The cost is $455 for members and $595 for non-members.
NCA will also present its comprehensive ten-week “Principles and Practices of Drycleaning” course from 7 to 11 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from Oct. 22 through Dec.
19. The cost is $970 per person.
Also on the schedule is a session on “The Lost Art of Hand Finishing” on Dec. 2. The cost is $250 for members and $275 for non-members.
For cleaners who find it difficult to take time away from their plants to attend
the New York School, NCA offers several alternative webinar programs.
Webinars take place at 6 p.m. eastern time on Wednesdays and cost $69 for telephone and Web-based participation.
Upcoming webinars include: “Winterize and Save on Utilities” on Oct. 3; “Advanced Wetcleaning” on Oct. 17; “How to Brand Your Business” on Nov. 20; “Call Office Makeover” on Dec. 5; and “Finishing w/Tensioning Equipment” on Dec. 19.
For information NCA’s programs, call (212) 967-3002.
