NEW ORLEANS — Clean Show 2019 ended its four-day run here Sunday after drawing more than 11,000 registrants to see the latest equipment, products and services available to the textile care industry, reports show owner Messe Frankfurt.
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was filled to the brim with all manner of laundry and drycleaning equipment, computer software and systems, textiles, uniforms, delivery vehicles, supplies, and whatever else you can think of.
Booth space occupied by approximately 430 exhibiting companies totaled 224,500 net square feet, surpassing the 195,140 net square feet recorded at the previous New Orleans edition of Clean in 2013.
“The Clean Show has proven once again to be the ideal exposition for industry leaders to find the latest innovations in textile care, ranging from industrial machinery and conveyor equipment to computer software and business systems,” says Show Director Greg Jira with Messe Frankfurt. “From what we’ve heard from exhibitors and attendees alike, the show was a great success, generating valuable leads while learning how the various products and services can help their businesses thrive in today’s highly competitive market.”
A comprehensive report from American Coin-Op specific to self-service/vended laundry and wash/dry/fold services is forthcoming but some immediate takeaways include:
- Competition among companies offering point-of-sale software and apps specific to laundry pickup and delivery is increasing.
- Networking and connectivity is playing a greater role in equipment and systems development than perhaps ever before.
- Larger washer and dryer capacities commonly used in institutional and industrial laundry applications are making their way into the self-service arena.
“Messe Frankfurt Inc. is proud to have the Clean Show join its internationally recognized portfolio of trade fairs for the laundry, dry cleaning and textile service businesses,” says Constantin von Vieregge, president of Messe Frankfurt Inc. “The right people, the right encounters at the right place is the basis on which we design our events. We are committed and dedicated to providing new opportunities to companies that are ready to showcase their innovations on a global scale and to the attendees looking for business need solutions and educational opportunities.”
The Germany-based trade fair organizer purchased Clean from the five sponsoring associations in December and retained longtime manager Riddle & Associates to oversee this year’s show.
Clean 2019 was the last for John Riddle, whose firm has acted as Clean Show manager under contract since 1992. Riddle, who is retiring from active trade show management, has personally been associated with the show since 1981.
Several organizations and groups presented Riddle and his staff with gifts at gatherings throughout the show days to acknowledge their long service. Riddle said serving the textile care industry has been his honor and that any accolades received were made possible only because of the dedication and hard work of his staff over the many years.
The Clean Show’s legacy is unmatched thanks to the excellent service of Riddle & Associates, Messe Frankfurt says, adding that it wishes the Riddle team a great farewell with an appreciation for their years of hard work and dedication to the collaborating industry associations, exhibitors and attendees.
There will be no immediate changes to the show, including its previously released schedule, Messe Frankfurt executives said during a mid-Clean press conference.
Future editions of Clean—officially the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning—are slated for June 10-13, 2021, in Atlanta; May 18-21, 2023, in Orlando, Florida; and June 9-12, 2025, in Las Vegas.
To see how American Coin-Op covered Clean 2019 through its social media networks, click HERE.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].