Whether you’ve attended past Clean Shows or this is your first time — or you’re still making up your mind — it’s good to have the complete information about the Show. This year is bigger and better than any in the past, so we asked two of the Show executives to lay it out for you.

Clean Show History

Greg Jira: “The Clean Show has a long-standing legacy in the textile care industry, dating back to the mid 1970’s. I believe the concept started around 1975 when three associations got together for a consolidated show. By 1977 an additional three groups signed on and the Clean Show as we know it today was born.”

Julie Nickel: “It’s really the premier event in North America for professionals across laundry, dry cleaning, and linen services sectors. It brings together equipment manufacturers, distributors, and laundry and linen service professionals not only from North America but from around the world.”

Greg Jira: “Messe Frankfurt acquired the show in 2018 as a strategic addition to our Texcare Global portfolio, which includes Texcare International (Frankfurt), Texcare Asia, and Texcare France. Since the 2019 show edition, we’ve focused on growing international participation and working to promote more innovation on the floor—particularly around automation, sustainability, and emerging technologies. Each edition, including the upcoming Clean 2025 in Orlando, August 23 -26, is an opportunity for not only us but the industry to build on the Clean legacy while positioning the show for the future of professional textile care.”

Julie Nickel: “And it’s good to point out that the original organizing associations—ALM, CLA, DLI, TCATA and TRSA—remain deeply involved. Each continues to play a vital role in shaping the show’s educational programming, trade show presence, and hosting special events that speak directly to the unique needs of the sectors they represent. Their ongoing involvement ensures the event remains rooted in the industry’s core communities while evolving to meet the future of textile care.”

Why do you feel trade shows like this are important to the general operators out there who probably feel cut off from the rest of the industry on a day-to-day basis?

Julie Nickel: “That’s a great question, and it really gets to the heart of why events like The Clean Show matter. For many operators—especially smaller, independent businesses—it’s probably easy to feel disconnected from where the industry is headed. Day-to-day operations can be so consuming that there’s little time to look up and see the bigger picture. Trade shows provide that moment. They bring the entire industry together under one roof, creating an environment where you can see the latest equipment, talk directly with manufacturers, compare solutions, and learn what others are doing to stay competitive.

More importantly, they remind operators that they’re not alone—there’s a broader community facing similar challenges and finding innovative ways forward. Whether it’s a new piece of technology or a conversation that sparks an idea, the value of that connection can be a real turning point for a business.”

For someone new to Clean, how would you suggest they approach the overwhelming amount of information on the Clean Show website? Where should they start? How can they get organized?

Greg Jira: “For someone new to The Clean Show, I’d say—first, welcome! You’re stepping into the largest event in North America for textile care—well actually the world—and it’s an exciting opportunity. The website has a lot of information, so to keep it manageable, start by thinking about your goals: Are you looking for new equipment? Want to attend a few educational sessions? Or just get a feel for what’s new in the industry? From there, use the floor plan and exhibitor list to map out who you want to see, and check the education schedule to plan time for sessions that interest you.

Check out our special page (click to visit):

Make sure you think about your networking options too. Review the ancillary events the partnering associations are offering (either on their websites or on our education page). See what fits best for you.

Check out our special page (click to visit):

It’s also smart to plan your travel and hotel early, especially if it’s your first time attending—rooms near the venue tend to book up quickly, and having your logistics squared away makes the experience much smoother. [Editor’s Note: There are shuttle buses from all the official Clean Show hotels. Be sure to book your room(s) through the Housing Authority on the Clean website, since scammers have ruined the trip for some people in the past.]

Download the show app (The Clean Show 2025) available in the IOS & Android App Stores, it’s a fantastic tool to organize your days and keep track of appointments, booths, and sessions. And remember, while it’s great to have a plan, leave some time to explore—you’ll be surprised how much you can learn just by walking the floor and having conversations. We’re thrilled to have you join us —it’s a welcoming industry, and there’s so much here to help you grow.”

What are the greatest challenges of organizing a Show like this?

Greg Jira: Organizing a show like Clean is incredibly rewarding, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest is balancing the diverse needs of the industry—it’s a show that serves commercial laundries, dry cleaners, hospitality, healthcare, textile services, and more. Each of those sectors has unique priorities, and our goal is to deliver value across the board, from the education program to the exhibitor mix.

Another major challenge is logistics. We’re dealing with massive equipment—some of it weighing several tons—that has to be shipped in, rigged, plumbed, and fully operational on the show floor. We are also probably the only show left on the planet that provides steam as a standard utility on a trade show floor. That takes extensive coordination with the venue, contractors, and exhibitors to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely.”

How is this Show any different from past Clean Shows? Anything new people need to be aware of?

Julie Nickel: “Each edition of The Clean Show reflects the evolution of the industry, and 2025 will be no exception. While the show will continue to offer the core elements attendees value—live equipment demonstrations, strong association involvement, and meaningful networking—we’re also introducing a few enhancements.

We’re placing a greater emphasis on education, with more on-floor sessions that focus on business growth, workforce development, automation, and sustainability. The show floor itself will feature some updated design elements to improve navigation and the attendee experience overall.

And as always, exhibitors are bringing fresh innovations—new technologies, smarter systems, and more efficient solutions. We’re already seeing excitement build around several first-time exhibitors and international manufacturers returning after travel limitations in recent years.

So, while the spirit of Clean remains the same, the 2025 edition will feel fresh, forward-looking, and focused on what’s next for the industry.”

How long does it take to prepare a Clean Show, how many people involved behind the scenes (both in the office and on the floor, etc.), what is the cost to stage it?

Greg Jira: We actually begin thinking about the next Clean Show before the current one even closes. In terms of focused planning, it’s a solid 18 months of intense coordination with contractors, suppliers, venues, and—most importantly—our association partners. And in some cases, we’re working 5, 10, even 15 years out as we negotiate future venue contracts and hotel blocks.

Our core in-house team includes a staff of seven, backed by broader accounting and IT support from our Messe Frankfurt North America office. But we couldn’t deliver this show without an incredible network of behind-the-scenes professionals. That includes longtime consultants Mike O’Rourke and Kevin Coleman, who manage the complex plumbing and steam needs so our dry cleaning equipment manufacturers can safely demo machinery live on the floor. We also depend on our rigging crews to precisely position massive machines, our general service contractor Shepard to bring the layout and branding to life, and the venue and utility staff who support every step of the move-in and show.

The scale of Clean is unmatched—given the size of the equipment and the number of exhibitors—and so is our approach. The Clean Show’s unique exhibitor package plan includes many services that other shows leave to exhibitors to handle (and pay for) on their own. This provides exhibitors with cost certainty—no surprise utility bills or last-minute charges—and a much more predictable and streamlined experience. That, in turn, enhances the experience for attendees.

So yes, it takes tremendous planning, coordination, and investment to stage The Clean Show—but we go to great lengths because this industry deserves a show that meets its scale, complexity, and importance.”

If you could talk to someone undecided about attending, what would you say to encourage them?

Julie Nickel: “Wait – what? Someone in the industry is undecided about attending?

I’d say—if you’re in the textile care industry, this is the one event you don’t want to miss. The Clean Show isn’t just a trade show, it’s where the entire industry comes together. Whether you’re running a small operation or managing a large commercial facility, this is your chance to see the latest equipment in action, compare technologies side by side, and talk directly to the people behind the solutions.

What truly sets Clean apart is the unparalleled opportunity to see live demonstrations of full-scale, working machinery right on the show floor. Nowhere else will you find this level of hands-on access to such a broad range of equipment—from tunnel washers to finishing systems—running in real time, giving you a true sense of performance, efficiency, and innovation.

You’ll walk away with ideas you can actually implement—things that can improve efficiency, reduce costs, or help you navigate staffing and sustainability challenges. And just as important, you’ll connect with peers who are facing the same issues you are. That sense of community and shared experience is hard to find anywhere else. So if you’re on the fence, I’d encourage you to come once—and you’ll see why so many people make it a priority every time it comes around.”

Final thoughts

Julie Nickel: We appreciate the opportunity to talk about The Clean Show to your audience and welcome them down to Orlando to experience for themselves this great event. Early registration rates are still available. You can register at cleanshow.com.

See you in Florida!

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Check out all our Clean Show pages to plan your visit to Orlando!