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Clean ’09: The Clock Is Ticking

Now is not the time to panic. Yes, the Clean Show is just about ready to open. Yes, things can get a bit hectic when attending the show, especially if this is your first Clean Show.The good news is that the Clean Show, going into its 32nd year, is a well-organized event. To give you an idea of the popularity of this show, the Clean Show has grown to attract nearly 20,000 people from as many as 88 countries.Assuming you’re not scrambling for last-minute airfare or still trying to find a comfortable hotel room near the Morial Convention Center, you should be able to enjoy — and even profit from — the show in a variety of ways.HOURSEven though there’s plenty to see, there are ample hours to walk the entire show floor. The show runs from Thursday, June 18, to Sunday, June 21. On opening day, the hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (8 a.m.-10 a.m. distributors only). On Friday and Saturday, the hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m.If you haven’t registered yet, on-site attendee registration hours are: Wednesday (June 17), 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.Complimentary shuttle buses to the convention center will pick attendees up within two blocks of all official hotels. Even though some of the hotels are within walking distance of the convention center, give serious consideration to utilizing the buses, otherwise a warm and muggy day might leave you a bit “soggy” by the time you hit the exhibit floor.EDUCATIONThere will be more than 40 hours of educational sessions focusing on the latest technical information and trends, business management, and environmental and regulatory issues. All sessions are open to all attendees.The Thursday self-service laundry session deals with surviving in today’s economy; the Friday focus is developing a marketing plan and stain removal basics. On Saturday, it’s alternative payment/card systems and equipment replacement: cost vs. benefit analysis. The sessions wrap up on Sunday with a look at how to evaluate a coin laundry investment. While this seminar is designed for potential investors, it may also act as a refresher for owners thinking about adding another location.NETWORKINGThe Clean Show attracts all segments of the laundry, drycleaning and textile care industry — from your fellow self-service laundry owners to drycleaners and managers of giant industrial and institutional laundries. Ninety-five percent of attendees are owners or managers of their companies. When you factor in that the exhibitors are manufacturers and providers of products, supplies, and services to the industry, you realize that the Clean Show is a virtual industry who’s who.Some attendees have figured out how to make this work for them. Strike up a conversation with a self-service laundry owner, be it at an educational session or on the exhibit floor. Pick his/her mind. You might be surprised at how a fresh perspective could impact one of your managerial woes. You might also enjoy chatting with someone in the same industry. Many a friendship has been developed at the Clean Show.In addition, manufacturers or distributors may be able to answer a technical question for you or help you with a purchasing decision. If someone you want to chat with is busy at a booth, come back late in the day or early in the morning; things may be quieter. 

Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].