National Clothesline

The parts gathered into a greater whole

For four days in June, thousands of cleaners discovered that the city whose initials spell “NO” fosters an attitude that is undeniably “YES.” Somewhere in-between all the the gluttonous dining and boisterous drinking, New Orleans was truly a vibrant, colorful calliope that assaulted all of the senses, leaving many to merrily brandish broad smiles that could be seen all the way up and down Bourbon Street.

Of course, there were murmurs of the numbers being lower this year at the Clean Show, and many could be heard harkening back to the “good ol’ days” when the industry thrived with an endless bounty of dirty garments ripe for the taking. True, there were fewer giveaways and door prizes this time out. Indeed, there were fewer attendees and exhibitors at Clean ’09, but those who did show up really meant business.

Those who made the trek to the Crescent City made the most of their time, and not just during the non-stop and notorious N’Awlins’ nightlife. During the day, serious-minded drycleaners gathered together to witness top-of-the-line technology in action, shop among aisles and aisles of drycleaning supplies and listen to a bevy of enlightening educational seminars designed to help them steer their businesses in a successful direction for the future.

When the time came for everybody to leave and go home, there was certainly a fair share of exhausted sighs. Hopefully, those who finally left the Big Easy brought back a few pleasant memories, some much-needed answers and a fantastic deal on whatever accessory or piece of equipment that they simply could not resist. Perhaps many also brought back with them some of the scintillating spirit of the Clean Show... that feeling of renewed hope that permeates through the air when an entire industry unites together with a singular strong desire to be greater than the sum of all of its individual parts.

Among the missing and the survivors

Although the Clean Show was called a success by most of those who were there, we can’t help but think about those who weren’t there and wonder where they were.

The number of exhibiting companies has declined steadily since the high-water mark of 621 back in 1999. This year there were about 200 fewer, a loss of one-third in ten years. Where are they in 2009? Some have combined with others, some gone out of the business; others feel they can’t afford the cost of exhibiting. Even among those who were in New Orleans there was a noticeable cutting back: smaller exhibit booths; fewer personnel on hand; gifts and give-aways curtailed; and the virtual disappearance of free food and drink receptions. Belt-tightening is the watch-word of the day.

Likewise, attendance is down. This year’s official tally is not yet in, but it looks like it will be in the range of 11,000. That compares to about 20,000 at the 1999 Clean Show and is off by about 25 percent from just two years ago. Some attendee belt-tightening was in evidence, too. Although the show lasts four days, many seemed to cut their stay down to two days or three days, saving on hotel and food costs. And yet the show was called a success. Why? What’s going on here?

One indicator comes from an area where attendance was still strong, maybe even stronger in past years. That was at the morning seminars put on by the co-sponsoring trade associations. In the past, attendance at the early morning sessions, especially on the first day, could be described as “plenty of good seats available.” Not so this year. At DLI’s seminars, people packed the rooms to hear about labor-saving automation, various methods for attracting and keeping customers and, what has become a trade show staple, questions and answers and more questions about cleaning solvents.

What we think we were seeing in New Orleans were the survivors. Exhibitors could look around the hall and note that competitors from previous years were absent. So too will cleaners notice competitors in their local markets disappearing. The overall market, whether selling equipment and supplies to cleaners or professional cleaning services to consumers, may be getting smaller. But with fewer competitors, survivors can aim for a bigger share of that market. Being a part of the Clean Show is one way to claim that bigger share and ensure being a survivor. Those who were there know that.








						The parts gathered into a greater whole For four days in June, thousands of cleaners discovered that the city whose initials spell “NO” fosters an attitude that is undeniably “YES.” Somewhere in-between all the the gluttonous dining and boisterous drinking, New Orleans was truly a vibrant, colorful calliope that assaulted all of the senses, leaving many to merrily brandish broad smiles that could be seen all the way up and down Bourbon Street. Of course, there were murmurs of the numbers being lower this year at the Clean Show, and many could be heard harkening back to the “good ol’ days” when the industry thrived with an endless bounty of dirty garments ripe for the taking. True, there were fewer giveaways and door prizes this time out. Indeed, there were fewer attendees and exhibitors at Clean ’09, but those who did show up really meant business. Those who made the trek to the Crescent City made the most of their time, and not just during the non-stop and notorious N’Awlins’ nightlife. During the day, serious-minded drycleaners gathered together to witness top-of-the-line technology in action, shop among aisles and aisles of drycleaning supplies and listen to a bevy of enlightening educational seminars designed to help them steer their businesses in a successful direction for the future. When the time came for everybody to leave and go home, there was certainly a fair share of exhausted sighs. Hopefully, those who finally left the Big Easy brought back a few pleasant memories, some much-needed answers and a fantastic deal on whatever accessory or piece of equipment that they simply could not resist. Perhaps many also brought back with them some of the scintillating spirit of the Clean Show... that feeling of renewed hope that permeates through the air when an entire industry unites together with a singular strong desire to be greater than the sum of all of its individual parts. Among the missing and the survivors Although the Clean Show was called a success by most of those who were there, we can’t help but think about those who weren’t there and wonder where they were. The number of exhibiting companies has declined steadily since the high-water mark of 621 back in 1999. This year there were about 200 fewer, a loss of one-third in ten years. Where are they in 2009? Some have combined with others, some gone out of the business; others feel they can’t afford the cost of exhibiting. Even among those who were in New Orleans there was a noticeable cutting back: smaller exhibit booths; fewer personnel on hand; gifts and give-aways curtailed; and the virtual disappearance of free food and drink receptions. Belt-tightening is the watch-word of the day. Likewise, attendance is down. This year’s official tally is not yet in, but it looks like it will be in the range of 11,000. That compares to about 20,000 at the 1999 Clean Show and is off by about 25 percent from just two years ago. Some attendee belt-tightening was in evidence, too. Although the show lasts four days, many seemed to cut their stay down to two days or three days, saving on hotel and food costs. And yet the show was called a success. Why? What’s going on here? One indicator comes from an area where attendance was still strong, maybe even stronger in past years. That was at the morning seminars put on by the co-sponsoring trade associations. In the past, attendance at the early morning sessions, especially on the first day, could be described as “plenty of good seats available.” Not so this year. At DLI’s seminars, people packed the rooms to hear about labor-saving automation, various methods for attracting and keeping customers and, what has become a trade show staple, questions and answers and more questions about cleaning solvents. What we think we were seeing in New Orleans were the survivors. Exhibitors could look around the hall and note that competitors from previous years were absent. So too will cleaners notice competitors in their local markets disappearing. The overall market, whether selling equipment and supplies to cleaners or professional cleaning services to consumers, may be getting smaller. But with fewer competitors, survivors can aim for a bigger share of that market. Being a part of the Clean Show is one way to claim that bigger share and ensure being a survivor. Those who were there know that.