ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) has two events coming up toward the end of summer: the Ehrlich-Stempler Executive Management Institute (EMI), Aug. 7-11, and the Annual Conference, Sept. 19-21. Both events will feature changes this year, the association says.
EMI
Informal discussion with peers during receptions and meals has long been a valued component of the educational experience delivered by EMI, conducted annually at the University of Maryland. As the training program founded 51 years ago begins its second half-century, this informality is becoming more scheduled, according to TRSA.
Two off-campus evening social activities in nearby Washington, D.C., are now incorporated into the agenda (included in the participant registration fee). Previously, these outings were optional and billed separately. Now, when registering for EMI, participants simply need to request to attend them.
On Tuesday, Aug. 9, participants will take a bus tour to view illuminated national monuments in nearby downtown Washington. The following night, they’ll enjoy dinner at Lucky Strike, the vintage-mod bowling and billiards spot, says the association.
With four full days of management development classes each year, EMI primarily consists of activities led by academics and consultants experienced with the textile services industry. Interaction between participants in classrooms, sharing their everyday work experiences, makes academic exercises industry-specific. Participants begin relationships with classmates when they first attend EMI, TRSA says. These deepen in subsequent years as they complete the program by returning annually with original classmates three more times.
“Even smaller companies need people besides the top executives to be leaders, especially front-line managers who work with many different customers and employees. EMI improves their skills and gives them a group of professional friends,” says Michael Lutz, CEO, American Linen Supply of New Mexico, Las Cruces, N.M., a 2007 EMI graduate.
“At EMI, you see how our companies are not in worlds of our own,” says Barbara Bailey-Polk, Roscoe Co., Chicago, who is returning in August for her third year. “We face the same issues and share the same values and we respect each other for it.”
The first-year program provides participants with practical insight that can be immediately applied to motivate and inspire co-workers and employees to streamline production, improve productivity and increase profitability, the association says, including:
- Developing effective communications skills.
- Managing innovation and change.
- Reducing conflict.
H. Kent Baker, finance professor at American University (D.C.), is the first-year class instructor and program dean. He’s been part of the EMI teaching corps since 1976, with training and consulting experience with more than 100 organizations.
Individuals who have achieved TRSA’s Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM) certification receive 31 credit hours toward recertification by attending EMI. Learn more at www.trsa.org/emi.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
TRSA says it is introducing a new approach to reduce the expense for an operator member (laundry) to attend the Annual Conference while facilitating more constructive problem-and-solution discussions with associate member (laundry supplier) partners, the association reports.
The event near Phoenix will feature the new Executive Exchange, replacing exhibits with scheduled interactions.
Changing how textile services executives learn about new products and services, the sessions will provide ample opportunity for discussing the most pertinent innovations by matching associates and operators, says TRSA. They will schedule, accept and reject proposed invitations to ensure productive meetings.
Owners, senior executives and other laundry professional decision-makers who commit to nine such 15-minute meetings receive a 100% rebate of their conference registration fee, according to the association. And an additional rebate will be awarded for a second company representative who participates.
TRSA says the sessions will take place in two-hour conference agenda blocks on Tuesday, Sept. 20, and Wednesday, Sept. 21. Appointment setting will take place approximately three weeks prior to the conference. Participants will receive detailed instructions on using the online scheduling process before the matchmaking begins.
“These 15-minute meetings between operators’ decision-makers and leading associate suppliers offer a unique opportunity to learn about new, innovative products and develop personal connections,” says TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci. “There is no better format for textile services executives to spend focused time researching the products and services that can improve operational efficiency.”
Online registration is now open for operators at www.trsa.org/annualconference. When registering, operators designate their primary and secondary representatives to the Exchange; rebates will be awarded following the Exchange. Associates register by downloading an Exchange reservation form from the same webpage.
The TRSA Annual Conference & Executive Exchange fosters interaction between nearly 100 executives and senior management from independent, regional and national companies providing textile services to the food/beverage, healthcare, hospitality and industrial/uniform sectors, according to the association.
Details of the conclave at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Chandler, Ariz., including keynote presentations and social activities, have not yet been released.
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