An open letter from the Clean Executive Committee:
The Clean Show is fast approaching and the Clean Show sponsors are preparing to deliver a world-class show for you in New Orleans.
Every industry, every nonprofit and every charitable organization faces challenging times today. The textile care industry is no exception.
As sponsors, we want each of you to look upon us as your partner in times such as these. We encourage you to look to the Clean Show and its sponsors, industry manufacturers and suppliers, and your peers for solutions to problems each of you is facing.
We are all in this together, and each of us has a part to play in maintaining and building a better industry.
Your association’s primary goal is to offer education and services to every member, regardless of size, that will grow the industry as a whole and help all members maximize their potential for growth.
Associations in every industry are experiencing the same challenges that the current financial climate has created for their members. However, associations cannot cut back or reduce their commitment to their members, regardless of challenging economic times.
In fact, it is in times like these that associations need to expand education and services that will assist their members.
In this same regard, we believe that our members should not reduce or cut back their marketing efforts.
In challenging times, members must do all they can to maintain their current level of business. Sometimes that means doing more, not less, in the areas of marketing and sales promotion.
We certainly understand that making decisions about where to spend money in such times is challenging, but we encourage each member company not to cut its budget in the area of personal and business education. Education does give you a competitive edge.
Recognizing that education is an important key to success, we have expanded the formal educational offerings for Clean ’09. Education is acquired in many ways, not just in a classroom setting. You should look to the trade show floor as our industry’s largest interactive classroom. There is no better way to learn than to exchange ideas with your peers.
Ask how they are solving challenges that your business is facing and share your solutions with those who need some guidance. Talk to exhibitors and pose questions about specific challenges that you face. The trade show floor gives you the opportunity to see equipment work, and being able to compare working equipment gives you an advantage in making buying decisions.
Over 400 companies have made the commitment to be there for you, and we hope you will be there for them so they can share their solutions with you.
Given this economy, some of you are likely thinking: “I can’t invest in my business now.” Our answer to you is this: “You can’t afford not to.”
The Clean Show is all about providing a venue where you can see new and improved working equipment and new technologies, as well as find solutions. The choice you face at this critical moment is what type of business you see your company being: one struggling to survive or one with a plan to thrive.
We extend our personal invitation to you, and we encourage you to participate in our industry’s most comprehensive meeting. Times will get better and, when they do, your attendance at the Clean Show will have helped you maintain your business and help grow it in the future.
This is your industry’s most important meeting and it only comes every two years. We hope you will come to Look, Learn and Listen and get that competitive edge through education.
Clean Executive Committee:Jim Thacker, Executive Director
Association for Linen ManagementBrian Wallace, President/CEO
Coin Laundry AssociationWilliam E. Fisher, CEO
Drycleaning & Laundry InstituteDavid H. Cotter, CEO
Textile Care Allied Trades AssociationRoger Cocivera, Clean ’09 Chairman, President/CEO
Textile Rental Services Association of AmericaDeborah Hodges, Director
Uniform & Textile Service Association
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].