NEW ORLEANS — Thirty hours of educational sessions — all included as part of Clean Show registration — will be spread throughout the event’s June 20-23 (Thursday-Sunday) run here at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
“While the Clean Show is definitely about the products and services on the floor, the sponsoring associations, both collectively and individually, create educational content and networking opportunities that enhance the value of the event,” says Joe Ricci, Clean ’19 Executive Committee chairman and president of TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services.
Sessions are scheduled each show day, both morning and afternoon. They offer industry perspectives, idea-sharing, and a chance to hear new voices. Attendees are welcome to attend any they choose, regardless of industry segment or association affiliation.
“Drycleaning, vended laundry and linen and uniform services professionals that attend the Clean Show benefit from time away from operational and customer demands to focus on strategic investments and innovations,” says Ricci.
These educational opportunities will begin Thursday morning, even before the exhibit floor officially opens. Association-sponsored presentations (including seven from the Coin Laundry Association) will run between 8 and 10 a.m. daily, plus there will be general sessions Thursday through Saturday afternoons.
Here are descriptions of sessions scheduled for the first two days:
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
8-8:55 a.m. — Customer Migration, Room 238-239, sponsored by Association for Linen Management (ALM).
Transparent usage data and a solid plan is critical to a smooth transition from one textile services provider to another. What happens when the exiting textile services provider is not forthcoming with data? How do you handle surprises that have a significant impact on the terms of the agreement?
8:30-9:30 a.m. — Laundries Connecting Communities, Room R6-R9, sponsored by Coin Laundry Association (CLA).
This important opening session will feature the initiatives of the LaundryCares Foundation that aim to provide early childhood development and literacy support to the families who support our businesses. Learn how to connect with your community to benefit those families – and the profitability of your Laundromat.
8:30-9:30 a.m. — No Bad Days: Positive Attitude is Everything, Room 243-245, sponsored by Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI).
If you allow yourself to have a bad day, you lose! No Bad Days is a philosophy and mindset. Learn how to set your attitude up for success by rolling with the punches and finding opportunities where others see obstacles.
8:30–9:30 a.m. — Protecting Your Customer, Employee and Business Assets Through New and Improved Contracts, Room 255-257, sponsored by TRSA.
Join attorney Scott Kamins to get a review of the most updated law, contract terms, developments and strategies when it comes to drafting, enforcing and defending contracts with customers, employees, vendors and others.
9-10 a.m. — Preventing Microbial Growth and Infection in Laundry Facilities, Room 238-239, sponsored by ALM.
Improve the overall cleanliness of your laundry by identifying and blocking key avenues of microbial contamination using applied microbiology techniques and an HACCP assessment of the environment. Learn about the proper management of airflow, pressure differentials between spaces, temperature control, surface cleanliness, and lint and dust control.
2-3 p.m. — The Future of Marketing: How to Build a Brand That Sells with Social Media, Exhibit Hall, general session.
Spend smart and stretch your advertising budget with social media tools. It is now easier and cheaper than ever to reach a wide audience. Hear how to take advantage of these online trends.
3:30-4:30 p.m. — Workplace Risks of Legalized Marijuana, Exhibit Hall, general session.
Whether for medicinal or recreational purposes, legalized marijuana use creates new concerns for employers. Questions are plentiful when it comes to assessing impairment, the ADA, workers’ compensation, and drug testing. Find out what rights you retain as well as where your responsibilities lie with keeping your operation safe and your performance high.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21
8-8:55 a.m. — Are You a Trusted Advisor? New Role of Sales, Room 238-239, sponsored by ALM.
Customers are becoming more savvy, which means sales professionals must “up their game” to build credibility and relationships. Listen first and discover textile care customer needs and weaknesses, then show them how you will deliver solutions and improve their operations for years to come.
8-9 a.m. — Laundromat Lifecycles: Planning for the Future, Room R6-R9, sponsored by CLA.
Like every small business, Laundromats must navigate the lifecycle of the business successfully to ensure long-term success. Understanding the key considerations of that cycle will be the focus of this session, which will explore equipment replacement, lease negotiation and planning – as well as tracking the present value of the business. Make sure that you are maximizing your success throughout the lifespan of your Laundromat investment.
8-9 a.m. — What First Impression Does Your Website Make?, Room 243-245, sponsored by DLI.
Does your website provide the same amazing experience people get when they walk into your store? Can they find answers to their questions? Can they request or receive services after hours? Hear how to improve your website’s performance and impress your customers even when you are not around.
8-9 a.m. — Venture Capital and Private Equity, Room 255-257, sponsored by TRSA.
Discuss pros and cons of debt versus equity financing and evaluate the various financing vehicles. Decide if potential growth is substantial enough to merit an effort to seek sufficient capital.
9-10 a.m. — CLA Connect LIVE: Interactive Idea Exchange, Room R6-R9, sponsored by CLA.
Building on the popularity of the CLA’s online forum, this session will bring those valuable interactions to life in this interactive session. Come meet some of your favorite online contributors in a live setting while gathering the tips and tricks of the trade to propel your Laundromat business forward. Make sure your visit to New Orleans pays off by networking with your most successful peers.
9-10 a.m. — New Textile Technologies for Infection Prevention, Room 238-239, sponsored by ALM.
An increasing number of studies show that healthcare-associated infection rates may be improved by adding antimicrobial textiles to hospital infection prevention efforts. We’ll review and discuss the range of available antimicrobial products and technologies, discuss evaluation criteria, and the impact of any process changes on hospitals and laundries.
9-10 a.m. — ARTA Study Shows Peracetic Acid Kills C.diff Spores, Room 342, sponsored by the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA).
ARTA will present the results of a study designed to determine whether the laundry process using a tunnel washer will adequately kill C.diff spores. One of ARTA’s researchers will share results from the study using peracetic acid and answer questions from the audience.
9-10 a.m. — Are Your Marketing Methods Changing with Your Clientele?, Room 243-245, sponsored by DLI.
Hear how a successful cleaner has evolved his marketing techniques to attract the growing new wave of consumers. The reality is your customers are changing whether you are or not. So now is the time to future-proof your customer base.
9-10 a.m. — Labor Law and Compliance: Current Issues and Trends, sponsored by TRSA.
Hear about the newest trends in employment law to watch for in 2019 and how you can help ensure your organization adheres to current and future changes. Get solutions to the latest HR and OSHA regulatory and compliance issues.
2-3 p.m. — Business Apps to Make Your Life Easier, Exhibit Hall, general session.
Most people have their phones glued to their hands these days, especially when there are so many apps that can be used to make our daily lives so efficient. Learn about the apps successful 21st-century business leaders use to make their lives more effective professionally and personally.
3:30-4:30 p.m. — Secrets to Chick-fil-A Hiring & Training for Exceptional Customer Service, Exhibit Hall, general session.
Chick-fil-A is the highest ranked U.S. fast-food restaurant in customer service and the fourth most-inspiring company, according to Forbes. Hear an actual franchise owner explain how they hire and train exceptional employees who are willing to give their best every day when they come to work.
Check back Thursday for the rest of the schedule!
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].