SEFA sets March seminars, plans Savannah trade show
Customer service and problem garments are two seminar topics that naturally go
together, after all, clothes that are difficult to clean can often lead to
unhappy customers at the front counter.
In March, the South Eastern Fabricare Association will kick off a trio of seminars that cover both subjects in depth.
They will be taught by popular speaker Chris Allsbrooks, who has worked numerous
years as the garment analyst for the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute
(formerly IFI).
The seminar will serve as a “tune up” for customer service representatives, whom are often the first and last person
a customer sees. In many cases, a plant’s fiscal success can hinge on the manner and proficiency of counter personnel.
Allsbrooks will address some of the CSR behaviors that drive customers away, and
will discuss customer expectations, communication skills and how to work with
challenging and cranky customers.
She will also help attendees learn how to identify potential problems at the
front counter before they get sent to the back to be cleaned.
The first program is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 4 in Valdosta,
GA.
It will be held at Bishop Cleaners, located at 3115 N. Oak St. Ext.
On the following day, the association will present the same seminar in Dothan,
AL. It will take place at Village Cleaners, 700 W. Carroll St.
Finishing out the series will be an offering on Thursday, March 6 in Columbus,
GA.
The precise location of the seminar has yet to be determined.
All three seminars will take place from 7 to 9 p.m.
The cost to register is only $10 for SEFA/DLI members.
In addition to offering upcoming seminars, SEFA has announced plans for its 2008
Southern Drycleaners Show, which will be held from July 25-27 in Savannah, GA.
The headquarters hotel for the event will be the Westin Savannah Harbor, located
at 1 Resort Drive overlooking the Savannah River.
The hotel is located adjacently to the Savannah International Trade Center.
Those who wish to secure room reservations can utilize a link on SEFA’s web site, located at www.sefa.org or contact the hotel directly at (912)
201-2000.
While the association is still in the planning stage for the convention’s educational programming, a schedule has been released for the show.
Exhibit hours will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, and from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 27.
SEFA will also host a pair of social events during the weekend, including a cash
bar and hors d’oeuvres reception poolside at the Westin from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday night.
On Saturday, the association will offer an open bar reception from 5 to 6 p.m.
in the convention lobby.
Registration fees for the event are only $10 for plant owners who sign up prior
to July 15. For those who register after the July 15th deadline, the prices go
up to $15 each.
Plant employees need only pay $5, regardless of when they register, and
non-exhibiting allied trades must pay $50 to attend.
For more details on the 2008 Southern Drycleaners Show, or any of SEFA’s upcoming events, call (877) 707-7332, or visit www.sefa.org, which contains a printable registration form.
