National Clothesline

The Coin Laundry Association brought together 100 of the top laundry owners in the country at the Excellence in Laundry Conference from October 11-13.

Laundry owners and a handful of new investors in the industry descended upon the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa for elite-level networking, table-top exhibits from manufacturers and educational programs focused on small business success.

CLA said the “reinvention” of its educational and networking programs resulted in more than 127 paid attendees at the conference and a 100-percent positive feedback rating from all who attended.

The overarching theme of this conference centered on professional laundry owners and their successes.

One such roundtable panel focused on how to grow a chain of vended laundries. One of the highly rated educational experiences of the conference, the program helped owners learn the secrets to success from four leading industry multi-store owners. Sharing their insider secrets spurred attendees to make excellent use of the allotted networking time and learn additional, invaluable lessons from industry peers.

The educational session that received the highest rating was presented by economist Alan Beaulieu, who impressed everyone with his knowledge, humor and ability to engage the audience to the point where attendees gave a standing ovation as he concluded.

“The location, format, speakers, seminars, attendees, and networking were each a cut above anything I’ve been part of before,” said Art Jaeger, owner of Santa Clarita Laundry. “I’ve returned home with several good ideas, an equipment/marketing idea that is currently being worked on and many new friendships.”

“I would like to see this type of conference held every year,” said William Bowen, owner of The Wash House.

Encouraged by the result, CLA will be designing and hosting a similar event in 2014.

CLA provides education, service and support from industry experts focused strictly on the success of everyone within the laundry industry: potential investors, store owners, distributors and manufacturers. More information is available at coinlaundry.org.

After Hurricane Katrina destroyed everything their family had worked to build since 1940, Young’s Dry Cleaning in New Orleans teamed with the local advertising agency CPR + Partners to completely redevelop its brand.

The resulting Young’s campaign was recognized in local and regional ad competitions held by the American Advertising Federation. Next, Young’s campaign stood toe-to-toe against the best advertising in the country, earning the cleaners a 2012 national silver ADDY award.

The ADDY Awards represent the spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising across media of all types, by all sizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world.

Since launching the new brand and advertising campaign less than two years ago, Young’s free pick-up and delivery business has steadily increased.

Brothers Don and Dale Young operate the third-generation, local family cleaners in the same Gentilly neighborhood where their grandfather, Louis Young, first set up shop more than 70 years ago.

More information about Young’s Dry Cleaning, is available on their Facebook page or website, www.youngsdrycleaning.com.

Zengeler Cleaners has renewed its 11-year partnership with The Glass Slipper Project through which the company, based in Northbrook, IL, has collected more than 25,000 dresses in the past 10 years, along with thousands of purses, pieces of jewelry, pairs of shoes and accessories valued at close to $10 million.

Last year, the family-owned cleaners collected approximately 5,200 dresses, the second straight year that the company’s eight locations have exceeded 5,000 donations.

The Glass Slipper Project provides high school students a chance to get prom gowns and accessories who might not otherwise be able to afford them. The organization distributes the items free of charge to students at Glass Slipper “boutiques” in the spring.

“Zengeler Cleaners is excited to continue our support for the Glass Slipper Project for the 2013 collection drive,” said Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners. “We’re extremely proud of our relationship with the Glass Slipper. We appreciate the enthusiasm and support from the many local schools, businesses and individuals who are the reason for the success of this important fundraiser.”