CHANDLER, Ariz. — The Association for Linen Management (ALM) decided to rename its annual conference IMPACT, and the 2016 IMPACT Educational Conference did make an impact Feb. 28 through March 2 at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino near Phoenix.
“We named the conference IMPACT because we want our members to know how they can be impacted, and how they can make an impact on their company and the industry, as well as understand the factors that are, and will be, having an effect on their daily work lives,” says Randy Wendland, CLLM, ALM president and corporate director textile management services of ABM Healthcare Support Services in St. Clair Shores, Mich.
The rebranded conference included three days of educational sessions (general sessions and breakouts), time to meet with exhibitors and speakers, and networking events.
“I think [the conference] was good on all levels,” says ALM Executive Director Linda Fairbanks. “The educational sessions were tremendous. I walked away from them with ideas to change the way the association is doing some things.”
Educational offerings, sponsored by Laundry Design Group LLC, included three general sessions for all attendees. The first kicked off education at the conference Monday morning. Titled A Conversation Among Leaders, the session featured industry representatives and the audience discussing topics ranging from the possibility of textile mills returning to the United States to industry accreditation that helps ensure clean linens.
Lynne Sehulster, Ph.D., M(ASCP), from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keynoted the second general session Tuesday morning, presenting Laundry Effectiveness in Infection Control Perspective.
Joe Castillo, who was a finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2012, keynoted the final general session Wednesday afternoon. Castillo used his unique storytelling method using music and sand art to encourage attendees to allow themselves to be creative to solve problems.
Besides the all-attendee general sessions, there were 15 breakout sessions for those registered for the conference. Topics covered during the daily sessions included linen room management, labor, and more on infection control.
In between sessions, attendees visited with exhibitors in the HUB. Tuesday, those in attendance had the opportunity to hear from exhibitors in between food courses during Lunch and Learn sessions, as representatives moved between table stations to talk about their products and services.
Social events throughout the conference gave everyone a chance to network.
A Welcome Reception Sunday night, sponsored by Medline Industries LLC at the hotel, allowed colleagues to reconnect face-to-face. Tuesday evening featured a Wild West Party at Rawhide Western Town, complete with mechanical bull, quick-draw contests and target shooting, sponsored by MIP Inc.
The conference ended with the closing banquet featuring dueling pianos sponsored by Applied Silver Inc.
Historically, ALM has announced the winners of the Heywood Wiley Manager of the Year and the Allied Tradesperson of the Year awards at its closing banquet, but Wendland says that the award program is being re-evaluated.
IMPACT also gave ALM a chance to take care of association business during its 76th annual business meeting, which took place first thing Monday morning.
During the meeting, Cindy Molko, director for linen and central services at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., was elected the association’s next president. Nathan Rivers of Bay Pines (Fla.) VAMC was elected vice president.
Representatives from ALM’s various chapters also voted to adopt revised bylaws, which includes changes to terms of service by association officers.
Molko and Rivers will start their respective terms, and the bylaws will take effect, July 1.
“I’m very excited and pleased at the status of the association,” says Wendland.
Besides business, attendees also had a chance to engage in a philanthropic activity. Everyone who registered was encouraged to donate textiles to be given to the Salvation Army Phoenix. Conni USA sponsored the IMPACT CommUNITY event, and more than a ton of sheets and towels were provided to the local Salvation Army.
Graham Skinner, regional laundry director of Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., had this to say about the 2016 IMPACT: “This is probably the best ALM conference I’ve been to.”
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