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Revitalized New Orleans is ready
to host the Clean Show |
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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.
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