IDC seeks successful future in Ottawa
“Capital Ideas for Future Success” is the theme of the International Drycleaners Congress annual convention in
Canada. The Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa will be the host hotel for the
Sept. 25-28 gathering.
Opening day on Thursday, Sept. 25 will include a board meeting followed by a
Welcome Reception that evening.
Conference sessions are scheduled for Friday and Saturday mornings while the
afternoons are set aside for plant visits, sightseeing and socializing.
Bill Fisher, CEO of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute, will give the
conference keynote address, covering the state of the industry in North America
and how to survive recession.
Three speakers will lead the first conference session on Friday morning.
Addressing the topic of “Building a Successful Business” will be Tom Gosselin, Masahuru Igarashi of Hakuyosha Ltd. and Jan Barlow of Jan’s Professional Dryleaning and Laundry. While they represent companies of
different sizes, they have in common a history of weathering previous
recessions and rank among the most successful companies in the industry today.
In the second session, John Jordan of Fabritec International will moderate a
panel on automated systems. The panel, yet to be named, will be comprised of
users of different systems who will give insight into the pros and cons of each
and offer advice on how to make buying decisions.
The first session on Saturday morning will address “Diversification in Recessionary Times.” Marcia Todd, publisher of Fabricare Canada, will moderate a panel that includes
Sally Lorensen Conant of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, Paula
Kostic of Classic Drycleaners and Luc Martin of Suede Art. Their companies have
developed specialty services for wedding gowns, flood and fire restoration and
uniform rental.
The final session on Saturday will consist of international reports from IDC
members who will discuss industry conditions in their respective countries and
regions. Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, and Romania are
among the countries that will be heard from.
On Friday afternoon, conference attendees can tour Hillary’s Cleaners where IDC member David Hillary will show the operations of a company
that has been successful since 1949.
On Saturday evening, IDC will have its Gala Banquet, including the traditional
presentation of flags, a dinner and honoring members with awards.
On Sunday morning, attendees will exchange farewells at the Sayonara breakfast
before the convention closes.
The convention registration fee of $570 includes the Welcome Reception, all
business sessions, the plant tour, banquet and the Sayonara breakfast.
Accommodations at the Fairmont Chateau range from $219 to $279 (Canadian) per
night, single or double occupancy. Pre- and post-convention room rates are
available upon request.
