BOSTON — TRSA, the association for linen, uniforms, and facility services, reports unprecedented attendance at two flagship events — its 8th Annual Marketing, Sales & Service Summit and 14th Annual Healthcare Conference — staged here in November.
The events brought together hundreds of industry leaders for three days of education, networking and innovation.
MARKETING, SALES & SERVICE SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS
On Nov. 18, the Marketing, Sales & Service Summit welcomed 80 participants, marking its highest attendance to date.
The Summit featured a dynamic keynote by Shane Gibson, who explored “Future Proofing Your B2B Sales and Marketing” with strategies for leveraging AI (artificial intelligence) to refine client profiles, enhance discovery conversations, and accelerate thought leadership.
Additional sessions included:
- “Email Marketing Mastery” — Steve Cooker, Infinite Laundry by TEXO, shared actionable tactics for high-ROI (return on investment) campaigns using AIDA principles (attention, interest, desire and action), automation, and CRM (customer relationship management) integration.
- “Service Alignment” — Ray Shabandarian, Performance Matters, and David Goolsby, Swiss Uniform Services, led an interactive session on improving communication between service, sales, and marketing teams.
- “TRSA Board Member Panel” — Randy Bartsch, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service; Jake Gurtler, Gurtler Industries Inc.; Josh Wildman, Wildman Business Group; and Rich Kramer, City Uniforms & Linen discussed trends, innovations and the critical role of communication.
- “Tech Tools for ROI” — Cooker and Jim Adler, Saratoga Cleaners and Launderers, showcased AI-driven follow-up, CRM enrichment, and CX (customer experience) automation, noting early engagement can boost conversions sevenfold.
Attendees also participated in facilitated discussions on lead generation, social media, recruiting, department alignment, and media strategies, and viewed the “Best of the Best” submissions. American Dawn Inc. placed first for its new brand story video.
HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
The Healthcare Conference began with a CEO/Executive Roundtable and continued with a full day of sessions on Nov. 19.
Keynote speaker Shawn DuBravac, futurist and former chief economist, examined how emerging technologies and AI are reshaping industries, emphasizing the importance of strong processes alongside innovation.
Panels and breakout sessions addressed:
- Infection control and collaboration between healthcare laundry and prevention professionals
- Contract best practices for healthcare textile services
- Cost-control strategies and operational efficiency
- The strategic role of group purchasing organizations (GPOs)
- Sustainability initiatives and the reusable vs. disposable textile debate
On Nov. 20, attendees toured Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services’ Lawrence, Mass., facility. The 180,000-square-foot plant was recognized as TRSA’s 2025 Best Plant of the Year (Gold Level).
The state-of-the-art facility produces approximately 58 million pounds annually and employs 300 full-time staff, underscoring Unitex’s commitment to innovation and community impact.
“These events showcased the industry’s collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach to technology, sustainability, and infection control,” says Joseph Ricci, TRSA president/CEO. “We are proud to see record attendance and engagement as we shape the future of textile services.”
Next year, The Catamaran Resort & Spa in San Diego will host TRSA’s 9th Annual Marketing, Sales & Service Summit (Oct. 13) and its 15th Annual Healthcare Conference (Oct. 14-15).
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].
