Nominations open for DLI awards
This year’s Clean show will mark the tenth anniversary of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute’s presentation of its Meritorious Service Awards.
Initiated at the 1999 Clean Show in Orlando, the awards honor individuals and
organizations for contributions to the industry in several areas:
legislative/regulatory; technology; environmentalism, professionalism and
positive recognition.
Anyone in the industry who meets the criteria for the categories can be
nominated. From among the nominees, the awards selection committee may
designate an individual for the Diamond Achievement Award for exceptional
service to the industry.
Two years ago, the Diamond Achievement Award was presented to Jeff Miller of
Miller’s Fine Drycleaning in Hendersonville, NC, for his efforts in organizing the
HonorAir project, which made it possible for hundreds of veterans to visit the
World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
Miller’s efforts have received national recognition since then. He was awarded a
Citizens Medal, which is second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom in
terms of civilian honors, at a White House ceremony last December.
The Diamond Achievement Award is presented only when the awards committee deems
there is a deserving candidate who has gone far beyond the call of duty in
service to the industry. Only three others have receive the award: Barney Deden
in 1999; Stan Golomb in 2001 and Chris Edwards in 2005.
Other award categories and their criteria are as follows:
Industry Positive Recognition Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding results in securing
favorable publicity for the industry in the United States. An international
version of the award may also be presented to a nominee from outside the
country who meets the criteria.
The Legislative-Regulatory Award recognizes an individual who has actively worked on critical legislation or
regulatory issues that pertain to the industry.
The Technology Trailblazer Award recognizes individuals or firms that have conducted innovative research on
industry equipment or solvents that have resulted in a currently usable and
commercially proven technology.
The Green Fields Award acknowledges a person or organization that has made a lasting contribution to
the industry concerning an environmental issue or initiative.
The Allied Trades Award honors suppliers or distributors who have provided long-term service of a
substantial nature, demonstrating a solid system of support of member cleaners.
The Commitment to Professionalism Award recognizes an individual who has significantly raised the bar of service in the
drycleaning industry.
The nominating process is open to anyone in the industry who knows of deserving
individuals or organizations for any of the categories. The nomination should
give specific reasons why the nominee should receive the award. Nominations
should be submitted this month for consideration by the committee. For more
information, call DLI, (800) 638-2627.
