ATLANTA — Between visits to the Clean Show’s extensive exhibit floor, those attending next month’s event will have the opportunity to attend educational sessions targeting the unique issues of their industry segments, as well as some broader general sessions that offer strategies on improving operations, engaging workers and increasing business, among others.
Access to the educational sessions is included in conference registration, and is not dependent on association affiliation.
All morning sessions will be staged on level three of the Georgia World Congress Center. Afternoon educational sessions will be located at the end of the main aisle of the exhibit floor in the Sponsor Education Theater, just beyond the sponsor pavilion.
Educational sessions will take place between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., daily Thursday through Saturday.
On Sunday, the show’s final day, sessions will take place only in the morning. Here are brief session descriptions from Riddle & Associates:
Saturday, April 18
- 8-9 a.m. — Tips for Entering the Commercial Laundry Industry, sponsored by the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA).
Industry experts present on what it takes to enter the commercial linen and uniform rental market, as well as the pros and cons that come along with tackling an unfamiliar market. The discussion will cover the best place to start this type of transition, how the industry works and what competition already exists, to help you determine if it’s the right move for you.
- 8-9 a.m. — Your Guide to Wash, Dry, Fold: Folding, Packaging and Presentation Techniques, sponsored by the Coin Laundry Association (CLA).
This session will demonstrate how to generate additional income and capture a different slice of the customer base by practicing good methods to fold, package and present laundry so that it is not only clean, but looks great, too.
- 8-9:45 a.m. — Industry Chat, sponsored by the Association for Linen Management (ALM).
ALM’s popular panel chat will feature a discussion from decision makers responsible for selecting textiles and textile care services for various markets.
- 8:30-9:45 a.m. — Success = More Than Just Drycleaning, sponsored by the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI).
Succeeding in today’s market means cleaning more than suits and formalwear. Hear from fellow industry professionals on how to expand services to accommodate customers’ changing needs.
- 9-10 a.m. — Commercial Accounts Marketing Toolkit, sponsored by CLA.
For those considering adding commercial accounts to their wash/dry/fold operations, and those wanting to grow that segment, this session tackles what’s needed to pursue those accounts, and identifies strategies for growing a commercial account base.
- 9-10 a.m. — Fostering Communication, Ensuring Engagement, sponsored by TRSA.
Learn more about a top-down and bottom-up communication approach, where employees voice their concerns and ideas and report incidents and near-misses.
- 9-10 a.m. — How to Convert OR Clients from Disposables to Reusable Surgical Textiles—Deliver Value to Keep Them, sponsored by the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA).
This session offers case studies on how to convert and train customers on using reusable O.R. textiles, as well as systems for tracking and keeping O.R. gowns, drapes and textile inventory in circulation.
- 1-2 p.m. — OSHA Compliance: Identifying Laundry’s Most Cited Violations, sponsored by TRSA.
A top OSHA administrator from 2006-2008 has helped TRSA develop consensus proposals for overcoming the most difficult obstacles the industry faces in eliminating injuries and illnesses. In this session, hear OSHA’s top 20 most frequently cited standards and the top 25 “low-hanging fruit” violations.
- 2:30-3:30 p.m. — Problem Garment Parade, sponsored by DLI.
Preventing claims not only stops payouts, it increases customer confidence in your business. DLI’s educators will help attendees learn how to identify and prevent common claim-causing garment problems.
Sunday, April 19
- 8-9 a.m. — Acquisition Financing: Today’s Options for Your Next Store Purchase, sponsored by CLA.
Purchasing a self-service laundry requires a large initial capital investment, and financing a laundry often differs from more traditional financing models. This session will be a discussion about what information is needed to obtain financing and how to avoid potential financing pitfalls.
- 8-9:45 a.m. — Textile Effectiveness from a Clinician Point of View, sponsored by ALM.
With changes in reimbursement emphasizing patient satisfaction and outcomes, understanding the nursing perspective regarding patient care linen is key to the delivery of quality textiles, from the processing and product standpoint. Listen to a discussion on new technology and its impact on HACs and HAIs.
- 8:30-9:45 a.m. — Getting the Most Out of Your Association Membership, sponsored by TRSA.
Learn how to maximize the resources available to you through your association membership. Get tips on how to be more engaged, and to use your membership to grow your network, increase your brand recognition and build business opportunities to get a higher return on your investment.
- 8:30-9:45 a.m. — Policing Employee Policies, sponsored by DLI.
The way employees look and behave is changing—are your company policies current with today’s employment issues? Learn how to protect your business from a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled employee.
- 9-10 a.m. — Top 10 Secrets Potential Laundry Owners Should Know, sponsored by CLA.
Learn from others’ experiences and avoid potential pitfalls that could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. Michael Sokolowski, former multi-store owner and current CLA executive, counts down the top 10 secrets that you need to know before purchasing or building a self-service laundry.
Miss Part 1? You can read it HERE.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].