CHICAGO — When the Clean Show wrapped in Atlanta back in 2015, it ended on a high note.
The number of exhibitors was growing after the recession, attendees were pleased, and organizers were hopeful for the future.
When Clean ’17 kicks off June 5-8 in Las Vegas, it seems that growth trend and positive attitude will continue for what is formally known as the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning.
“We’re starting to get back to where we were before the recession hit us,” says John Riddle, president of show management company Riddle & Associates. “We’re starting to see that move. We had a good show in Atlanta, and I think we’re going to see an improvement on that in Vegas this year.”
More than 470 exhibitors have signed up to be on the show floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with the possibiity of more to sign up before Clean kicks off. Well over 200,000 square feet of exhibit space is anticipated, according to Riddle.
And attendees can expect to be joined by more than 11,000 people from some 90 countries and six continents.
“In terms of attendance, we’re up, and we’ve had a lot of interest,” says Riddle. “We’ve had a lot of people calling. From where we sit, there’s a good vibe. I think the industry is going to have a good show.”
The show starts Monday, June 5, when attendees will be able to explore the exhibits following a 10 a.m. opening ceremony. Distributors have exclusive access to the show floor from 8 to 10 that day.
The floor opens at 9 a.m. daily Tuesday through Thursday and closes at 5 p.m. daily Monday through Wednesday, and at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Besides interacting with exhibitors on the show floor, attendees also have the opportunity to take advantage of more than 30 hours of educational sessions that will focus on technical information, trends, business management and environmental and regulatory issues. Morning sessions, which run from 8 to 10 a.m., will take place in on-site meeting rooms. Afternoon sessions will be held in the exhibit floor classroom.
According to Riddle, the Clean Show is working on something new with a company out of California called ExpoSync. The technology will allow attendees to build profiles, see what exhibitors are bringing to the show and share what they are looking for in a Personal Guide. Riddle says the technology, which will be available on attendees’ mobile devices, will be able to put them in touch with exhibitors.
“It’s going to give them a lot of new information,” Riddle says. “It’s going to let them really match what they’re looking for against the people that have it, and they can communicate with those folks they want to see. They can build their own personal guide about what they want to do at the show. And they’ll have it there on their device so they can use it.”
Attendees can still register for Clean on the show website. Through May 31, members of sponsoring associations can register for $119 a person, while non-members pay $149. After May 31, registration will be on-site only and cost $169.
Registration hours at the Convention Center will be 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 4; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, June 5-7; and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, June 8.
On show days, the Clean Show will provide a complimentary shuttle running between most official hotels and the Convention Center, according to Riddle. The shuttle will run approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. On opening day, the shuttle will start at 7 a.m.—7:30 a.m. on the other show days—and run to 11:30 a.m. In the afternoon, it will run from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Clean ’17 marks 40 years since the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning debuted as the premier event for textile care, Riddle says.
“This is a true milestone for the Clean Show,” says Mary Scalco, Clean 2017 chairman and CEO of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI). “The show has grown over the years to become one of the country’s top 100 trade shows. Clean 2017 exhibit sales already are ahead of each of the last four shows and registration also is up for the same time period at previous shows. Las Vegas is always a fun place to visit, too.”
Show sponsors are DLI, the Association for Linen Management (ALM), the Coin Laundry Association (CLA), Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) and TRSA, the association for the linen, uniform and facility services industry.
“This show really is doing quite well,” Riddle says. “I think you’re going to see some new stuff coming. I think there are going to be some interesting changes and some things you might discover. It’s going to be interesting this year. I’m pumped about what’s going on, to tell you the truth.”
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].