National Clothesline

Most people do not need extra reasons to seek out an oceanfront location in August; however, regional drycleaners will have several incentives to trek to the Long Beach Convention Center for the California Cleaners Association’s annual convention this summer.

In all, five expert speakers will be on hand to speak during the show and a sixth has been reserved for a full day of programs on Friday.

The convention will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21 and 22, but attendees may want to show up early for Friday’s “Do Routes Right or Not At All” program from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

It will be headed by James Peuster, a.k.a. The Route Pro, who works as a route consultant helping drycleaners expand their sales with pickup and delivery. He covers everything route related, from garnering sales initially to maintaining customer retention later on down the road.

The cost for the Friday program is $125 per member and $75 for each additional member from the same company. For non-members, the cost is $175 for the initial registrant and $100 for each additional non-member from the same company.

The convention itself will officially kick off with a grand opening of the exhibit hall on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

More than 60 companies had signed up to exhibit at the show as of mid-July.

Milt Chortkoff, owner of Milt & Edie’s Drycleaners, will begin with a seminar on “Marketing and Customer Service” at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. During the hour-long program, he will share many of his most successful marketing techniques.

Later in the day, John Zimmerman will discuss how to “Increase Your Knowledge About Social Networking Sites” from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Zimmerman, the CEO of eRocketFuel.com, will focus on how attendees can increase their social media marketing Return On Investment, how social media can benefit your business and what the time commitment will be for those involved.

In the evening, CCA will host its President’s Reception at the Hyatt Regency from 5:30 to 7 p.m. In addition to announcing the Drycleaner and Allied Trades Member of the Year awards, the association will install the 2010-2011 officers.

Early Sunday morning, CCA will host its annual business meeting at 8 a.m. prior to Norm Korey of Wyatt-Bennett Equipment/
Union delivering his seminar on machine maintenance from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Cleaners will learn hands-on machine care and maintenance from an experienced professional. The seminar will also be presented in Korean.

At 1 p.m., Steve Hong, president and CEO of United Fabricare Inc., will present information on the latest supply management techniques. This seminar will also be presented in Korean.

Rounding out the programs on the schedule is one from Kenney Slatten, a.k.a. The Cowboy Cleaner, who will take to the podium to speak about “Crisis Management” at 2 p.m.

The 90-minute program is designed for mangers and owners of fabricare stores to learn how to improve their working relationship with staff members.

Registration for the convention is only $15 for general admission which includes admittance to the exhibit hall, all Saturday and Sunday seminars and the Saturday evening President’s Reception.

For more information, including how to register, visit www.fabricareshow.com or call CCA, (916) 239-4070.