flag.jpg
Revitalized New Orleans is ready
to host the Clean Show
Those who believe that the current recession means that now is not a good time to invest in their business should probably reconsider.
After all, one of the industry’s biggest and surest investments — the Clean Show — is coming up quickly. Fortunately, there is still time to make the necessary plans to attend the biennial event at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans June 18-21.
As of mid-April, 369 companies had signed up to exhibit expecting to fill up approximately 185,000 square feet of space.
Those numbers are down from the 2007 Clean Show in Las Vegas which featured 484 companies utilizing 228,000 square feet, but there is still time for those numbers to climb higher.
Companies still on the fence about whether or not to take the plunge should be aware that close to 14,000 people are anticipated to attend the event, according to the show’s organizers.
It would be hard to imagine a better place with full access to all the latest and greatest offerings from the laundry, drycleaning and textile industries.
Those who want to peruse the exhibit hall will have the opportunity from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Thus, cleaners will have enough time to visit every exhibit booth of their choosing, as well as witness numerous live equipment demonstrations on the floor.
Those planning to head to New Orleans will want to meet upcoming deadlines for hotel reservations and reduced-rate advance registration.
Clean ’09 has pieced together an all-encompassing accommodation package that features room rates starting as low as $99 per night. In all, there are 18 New Orleans hotels to choose from.
Those seeking to stay at the headquarters hotel for one of the six sponsoring associations for Clean ’09 will have the following nightly rates, provided they make reservations prior to May 15: DLI, the Monteleone, $155; TCATA, Hilton Riverside, $182 (deluxe) and $222 (tower); CLA, Astor Crown Plaza, $149; UTSA, Marriott New Orleans, $162; ALM, Omni Royal Orleans, $132; and TRSA, Sheraton New Orleans, $167 (standard) and $197 (club).
To make hotel reservations at all the hotels except the Monteleone, call (800) 424-5250. The number for the Monteleone is (504) 523-3341.
Additional details about the Clean ’09 hotels can be found online at www.cleanshow.com under the “Housing/Travel” tab in the “Attendee” section.
Another important deadline cleaners should be aware of is May 22. Registration for Clean ’09 is $60 prior to that date; otherwise, the cost goes up to $95 for on-site registration.
To pre-register, visit the show’s official site and click on the “Registration” tab in the “Attendee” section.
The registration fee covers access to the exhibit hall as well as all of the educational offerings.
This year, there will be over 40 hours of seminars that focus on everything from the latest technical information and trends to business management and environmental and regulatory concerns.
The programs will take place between 8 and 10 a.m. on all four days of the show, and will be presented by several different trade associations, including ones from Canada and Europe, as well as show sponsors from the U.S.
The Drycleaning and Laundry Institute will start with a two-hour session on “Labor Savings — What New Automated Systems Can Do For You” on Thursday.
The following morning, DLI will host two seminars: one will feature Award of Excellence cleaners explaining how the program has helped them promote their services and attract customers; the other will focus on how to build successful delivery routes. It will be conducted by James Peuster, a.k.a. The Route Pro.
On Saturday, DLI will gather a panel of experts to share their expertise and experiences using various drycleaning methods during “The Great Solvent Debate.” Afterward, the association will examine the importance of web sites for cleaners and how they can go about starting one.
The Coin Laundry Association plans four days of programs covering a variety of topics: developing a marketing plan, how to profit in today’s economy, the basics of stain removal, equipment replacement, alternative payments and card systems, and a crash course in the basics of laundry investment and management.
Other show sponsors that will feature educational sessions include the Association for Linen Management (ALM), the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA), and the Uniform and Textile Services Association (UTSA).
TRSA will deliver a program on laundry safety on Thursday and one on marketing in an environmental era on Friday. On Saturday, they will present a panel discussion featuring many global leaders within the textile services industry.
Offering seminars on all four days, ALM will outline preventive maintenance, linen distribution programs, how to save the environment while saving your company’s bottom line and how automation can increase efficiency.
UTSA will offer sessions on safety and developing a self-managed team on Friday, followed by a seminar entitled “Optimizing Profitability Through Merchandise Management” on Saturday.
Cleaners looking for a more international outlook of the cleaning industry may be interested in programs co-hosted by the Textile Services Association (from the UK) and the International Committee of Textile Care, widely known as CINET.
The groups will offer a variety of programs, including a look at new finishing techniques, an overview of successful businesses in Europe, the latest available in global cleaning technologies, a look at the personal textile care market from a global perspective and the status of the Sustainable E-Drycleaning Project legislation in Europe.
Shedding more light on European cleaning matters will be the European Textile Services Association, who has planned a busy two-hour Friday session that will cover a wide range of topics pertaining to industrial laundry.
Also hailing from outside the U.S. will be the Canadian Cleaners and Launderers Allied Trades Association, who has planned a Thursday slate of programs that will offer tips for coin laundry owners such as how to reduce water usage and increase energy savings.
Rounding out the educational itinerary are programs presented by the American Reusable Textile Association, the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council and the International Executive Housekeepers Association.
A full breakdown of the day-to-day educational schedule can be found on Clean ’09’s site under the “Education Sessions” in the “Attendee” section.
Hanger