What a great Show! Kudos to all who were involved in organizing the October 5-6, 2024 event in Las Vegas. There were big crowds. People were upbeat and enthusiastic about our industry. There are some challenges coming, but our industry is going to turn them into opportunities. The seminars gave great insights into where our industry is going. This Show focused on dry cleaning, so there weren’t any big tunnel washers to walk around.

Floor Activity

Friday night was a reception on the show floor. It was busy. There was lots of food and good conversations.

There was a lot of activity in the steam section. Sankosha, Forenta, Unipress and Hi-Steam had operating equipment. Zestos was showing a new-style return tank that is designed to preheat the water and reduce corrosion in the boiler. Union was showing their new touchscreen. There were several POS systems showing their newest features. The Fixit Academy (EZtimers) is now offering maintenance training. Most cleaners could use a basic understanding of how their machines work.

Educational Sessions

Saturday morning started with a standing-room-only seminar with Brian Wallace, CEO of the Coin Laundry Association. Wallace told us that Walmart in Delaware now offers Wash Day. Customers can drop off their laundry and dry cleaning at Walmart and it will be ‘Professionally Cleaned’. According to Wallace, the average household spends 243 hours per year doing laundry.

Andy Gibson, CEO from Tide Services, followed him. Gibson says that we need to educate our Gen Z customers. They don’t know where to put the Tide Pods and they think you have to make an appointment to visit a dry cleaner!

In the afternoon there were seminars on the Show Floor. Stain Wizard, Jeff Schwarz unravelled the mysteries of bleaching. Bruce Grossman, Chief of R & D, EZtimers Manufacturing, explained how to rebuild steam traps. Dave Coyle, owner of Maverick Cleaners, spoke about marketing.

Sunday started with a seminar on the Circular Fashion Movement by Chris White, Executive Director of America’s Best Cleaners. It was packed with information and ways for dry cleaners to get involved. One startling fact was that by 2027, sales of used clothing will overtake sales of new clothing. Even high-end brands are getting involved in Circular Fashion. White says dry cleaners are uniquely positioned to lead this change in our society. He gave practical suggestions on how to prepare for this change and how our industry can be the driver of this change in our society.

Hall of Fame

One of the highlights of the weekend was the induction of two gentlemen into the DLI Hall of Fame. Jim Douglas and Mike Nesbit were honoured for their contributions to our industry. Jim Douglas was instrumental in developing GreenEarth Cleaning. Mike Nesbit received his award for leadership and innovation. He was an advocate for the Texas Drycleaner Remediation Program.

Don’t miss the next one

If you missed this show, you better hope your competitors weren’t there. They will have learned lots. I would strongly advise you to attend the next show in two years.

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Kevin Marois founded Calgary-based Integrity Mechanical in 2003 to serve plants in Western Canada. He writes on issues related to equipment, its purchase, maintenance and use. You can reach Kevin at imi@telus.net, or via his website, www.imicanada.ca.