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North Carolina Association

of Launderers & Cleaners

The Source of Official Information

for NCALC

Carolina Clean

June, 2012

NCALC 2012 Convention Report

By all accounts our 106th Annual Convention was a resounding unqualified success. In spite of the higher cost of lodging, lack of availability of multi-bedroom condo’s nearby and a little less meeting room and banquet space, the excellent sales and banquet staff who were on site throughout the weekend saw to it that there was a nary a slip between the cup and the lip ( i.e. our convention came off without a hitch). We had 108 different people registered for one or more educational and/or social events with the average attendance of 40 for the Business and Education Sessions and 86 for evening social activities.

Unfortunately, Jon Meijer, DLI Director of Membership and Marketing, injured an eye and could not drive to the convention.  Fortunately, DLI CEO Mary Scalco was available to fill in on the program and her husband Joe was willing and able to accompany her.  Joe even got to get in a round of golf on Saturday with Rick Kane and Wes Sessoms who’s cousin is the pro at a local golf course.

We were very fortunate to have several internationally known speakers with us for the weekend in addition to sharing their knowledge and perspective with us in their presentation.  My special thanks to David Dawson, Brian Wallace, Mary Scalco and Chris Tebbs for their contributions to our 106th Annual Convention. 

If you didn’t make it to convention,we missed you and will be looking forward to seeing you next year.

Ole Sto

The more we put into building NCALC,

the more we will get out of it

It was great to go back to the BlockAid Runner at Wrightsville beach for this year’s convention. Everyone I spoke with liked the change of venue. The turnout was good with 75 to 85 persons at each event. Sto did a great job arranging everything. My hat is off to Sto for making this one of our best conventions. His dedication to this association is simply remarkable.

Our speakers were outstanding this year. Dave Dawson, former President of RR Streets gave an excellent talk on Marketing. With our ever-changing world moving more and more to electronic media, he encouraged us to develop our brand and use today’s technologies to deliver it. Brian Wallace, President and CEO of the Coin Laundry Association dovetailed on Mr. Dawson’s message emphasizing using social media to help connect with our existing customers as well as the potential ones. Chris Tebbs, Executive Director of the International Drycleaners Congress spoke about care labels nationally and abroad. Helping us make sense of the multitude of symbols and care instructions we see in the clothes we clean. Mary Scalco, CEO (Executive Director) of DLI spoke on how DLI is changing to better serve its members. David  Farrington, one of the owners of NS Farrington showed us how they process all the poly bags that are collected for recycling. All of the speakers were very interesting and informative.

The raffle & drawdown was a success. The funds raised help our Association to be financially strong and healthy. Thanks to Tom Wilson for making this happen and to all the people who helped him.

I look forward to serving these next 2 years as president of the NCALC. I love our industry and the camaraderie that we share in this Association. As I look forward to the end of this year and into the next, our industry still faces challenges left over from the financial crisis. As I travel and talk to Dry Cleaners from all over the country, the one thing that I come away with is that the ones that are continuing to be successful and growing are the ones that adjust to the changes in the marketplace. Our customers’ habits have changed and we need to change with them. I for one have changed the way I communicate and market to my customers. I’ve added services that I had never done in the past. I have looked for ways that I can serve my customers better. When the economy caused my customers to use me less, I sought out new ones by offering new services.  I found out that these added services also helped me add business from my existing customers. I guess you can say that the economic downturn has made me a better businessman. I’ve learned to be more efficient, a better marketer and so forth. I’ll be honest, I have not done this from a position of eagerness and wanting to change, but from the pressure to survive and the fear and insecurity that comes with it. I came away with an expanded vision. My world has gotten bigger and I am finding that I can do a lot more than I thought I could.

My plan as president is to expand the vision of the NCALC and its members. We are a special group of business men and women.  I want to encourage progress by shedding off the notion of just hanging on and move toward a more flourishing association.  I want to further incorporate technologies into the way we communicate with each other. Taking some of the things I’ve learned in business and applying them as President.

We have many obstacles ahead. As we learn how to navigate around them, we will succeed and grow. I like each one of you want to be one of the victors in this battle to survive. As a group, we have more strength because we gain knowledge through our shared experiences. Let us be the ones to set the pace for state associations. We already have a solid foundation to build on. The more we put into building NCALC, the more we will get out of it.

Sincerely,

Larry Hill

NCALC President

Past President's Parting Shot

Well now that my term is over I can kick back and relax, NOT!  Business has been brisk and the plant is getting warm.  I’m also beginning to recover from Convention but still in awe at how everything turned out! 

To give credit where credit is due, Simon Vick and Martin Young pulled a fantastic coup by producing a incredible ensemble (tee shirt and hat) commemorating 14 years of hard work and dedication to and for our Association by our illustrious leader Sto Fox. 

Of all the pictures Sto has on file it was somewhat surprising how few there are of him but when you think about it, he’s the one always behind the camera.  None the less, Martin found the perfect picture and a friend of Simon’s did the wonderful caricature which resulted as the hit of the weekend. 

You couldn’t go anywhere around Wrightsville Beach without seeing someone in their tee shirt and/or hat!  I even heard a report of a woman chasing down one of our attendees who was sporting the tee shirt (with Sto’s likeness on the back), wanting to know where that #%& of a *@^$! was!

Then there was Tom Wilson!  His answer to our dilemma of how to replace the Auction was an out of the park home run.  Tom’s comedic relief team of Dr. Martin Young and Hoover the Mover, Wes Sessoms as well as the entire Board of Director’s who sold and bought 150 tickets, grossed over $15,000 netting our Association $11,600 of which 10% will go to our Scholarship Program for individuals wishing to further their Industry knowledge.

Needless to say, we all had a great time celebrating together and many thanks to everyone who came from near and far to be part of this special weekend.  It has been an honor and privilege to serve with some of the best and brightest textile care professionals in the world, not the least of which is our Executive Director. 

The old boy’s been through some bumps in the road of late but like the Energizer Bunny, he takes a lick’n but keeps on tick’n.

Marvin Thomas

Immediate Past President

NCALC Convention

Saturday Morning Sessions

Martin Young Reporting

Dave flashed a picture of the cover of Time magazine on the screen; “Economy is almost Comatose,” read the headline.  No one had to remind the people in the room, but, the headline was from 1992.  There are advantages in the situation.  While regulation and politics provide hurdles for the industry, interest rates are low and it appears they can only go up from this point.  Are you in a position to borrow/reinvest at a low interest rate?

It is imperative that the business owner focus both on cutting cost and increasing revenue.  It is obvious that what acceptable dress is today is different from the past and is not going back.  The consumer no longer has to use professional garment care.  Cleaners must embrace new technology like; RFID, bar codes and production automation.  The competitor with the sustained growth is home treatment.  Professional cleaning is no longer a requirement; but a choice, a luxury.

Most consumers today do not have to wear dry cleanable clothes; they chose to wear dry cleanable clothes.  They are willing to pay for professional cleaning because they love the interaction of protecting their investment in their wardrobe.  They are making the transition from wanting processing to demanding pampering.  Cleaners must make the transition from a focus on “manufacturing” to a focus on “retail sales.”  This is measured by the amount of revenue per square foot of floor space.

Save used a term that successful operators will incorporate into their business plan.  That term is your Unique Selling Proposition.  This is the combination of strategies the business owner uses to convey to the consumer why their business is preferable to all others.  The marketing strategy that establishes and maintains your brand and also positions you in the marketplace as something other than a “me too” processor.  Deliver the same message everywhere, every time.  Use your POS for CRM as a MIS.  Expand the use of the Point Of Sale computer to include Customer Relations Management and make it into a Management Information System.  Our business is fast becoming a luxury good.  Adapt your attitude and your business model to insure your future.

He went on to give ten ways to present your business in a positive manner, on line.  Google remains the number one place for potential customers to gather information.  Google your business, claim your site.  Verify and expand the business information you find there.  Go to sites like BING/local and Yahoo/local and be sure you are represented well.  Get a website (a free one is available with DLI membership); so that you have yours in place while others are catching up with the times. 

Be on Facebook, this has become the new word of mouth.  Create a Facebook page, without the personal profile.  This can be a way to communicate with current customers and attract new customers.  Check any business reviews and answer anything negative you may find there.  Apologize, no matter what; then turn things around to a positive advertising opportunity.  Move into email marketing by using your POS as an information management system for customer relations.  Buy certain Google “ad words.”  You select the words to be picked-up on by the search engine and you set your own budget by paying a certain amount per “click” and also setting your maximum budget per month.  Look at the FOURSQUARE program on line, which is a type of frequent user program.

Look into Groupon, which is a type of couponing on line; with a split between you and Groupon.  Have an employee assigned to twitter at regular intervals.  Be sure that your location(s) is correct when it comes to online map searches and GPS services.  The number of these promotional opportunities and how much you are able to take advantage of them, is only limited by the amount of effort you are willing to put into this area of advertising.

Sunday Morning Sessions

Following a festive Saturday night Luau, the Allied Trades Tabletop Exibits were open and ready for business bright and early Sunday morning.   The Continental Breakfast, provided by UNX, Inc. helped to refresh and rejuvenate the group.  A quick member’s meeting produced the new slate of officers for 2012-2014.  Lively conversation between the members led to sharing of ideas and innovations.  

Our first scheduled speaker, Jon Meijer, Director of Membership/Marketing of DLI, was unable to attend due to medical reasons.  We were very fortunate to have Mary Scalco, CEO of DLI, give a lively discussion on Marketing in the Dry Cleaning Industry, and how DLI is here to help.  Her opening remark:  “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at will change”, set the tone of her speech.  Many of us were not aware that as DLI Members, we can now access the Encyclopedia of Dry Cleaning on line at no additional fee, as well as download, customize and print all of the brochures.  We also have access to the Monday Morning DLI Marketing News, and will soon have access to a Direct Mail marketing program and “canned posts” for use in our social media.

Evening Festivities

by Mack Davis

NCALC’s 106th convention was a trip down memory lane in many ways. We returned to the Blockade Runner Hotel at Wrightsville Beach after a long run at the Sheraton at Atlantic Beach. Ted Williams did so much work on these Wilmington-area conventions in the late 90s and early 2000s. Mildred and Bart Williams were both at this year’s convention. It was deja vu.

Fox Feast was a term that Simon Vick originated in honor of Sto Fox’s true dedication to our NCALC. Simon had tee shirts with a caricature of Sto on them, and was selling straw hats very similar to the one Sto wears with his seersucker suit and white buck shoes. Sto was definitely styling and profiling.

Friday night was Mardi Gras, complemented by the mask and colored bead necklaces for the attendees. Our dinner fare featured Cajun fried chicken, shrimp creole, chicken Andoulle gumbo, blackened catfish and red beans and rice. Music for dining and dancing was provided by our old friend DJ David Overby “The Bopper” from Myrtle Beach.

After the Saturday morning seminars it was head for the beach or the pool. Sitting in the poolside shade of the cabana was a great place for girl watching. In our younger years, only servicemen had tattoos. However, we saw some interesting tattoos in interesting places. Thoughts of the Rolling Stones logo tattooed on the author somewhere were quickly mentally vetoed.

Sunday evening we donned our coats and ties and pretty frocks and enjoyed a host bar at the President’s Reception and Awards Banquet. The banquet meal featured Chateaubriand or fried chicken breast and buttery cheese cake. After dinner, recognition was given was given to our Allied Trades Partners for their support of NCALC as Convention Sponsors and Business Partners. Our speakers and Special Guest were made 2012 Honorary Members of NCALC, as is our custom, and Outgoing President Marvin Thomas presented Presidential Citations to the following individuals for their service to NCALC during the past two years:

Martin Young - As DLI District 2 Committee Member and a member of the NCDSCA Program Stakeholders Group.

Tom Wilson - In recognition of his outstanding to NCALC for proposing, organizing and conducting our 1st Draw Down Raffle Fundraiser.

Simon Vick - For his service as Convention Chairman and Executive Director’s shadow, back-up and T-Shirt & Hat Chairman.

Sto Fox - For serving as his trusted advisor and parliamentary guide and all he does for the Association.

Mack Davis, Chris Edwards, Rita Foley, Sto Fox - For their service to NCALC as members of the NCDSCA Program Stakeholders Group.

Our Sunday night banquet was time to install the 2012-14 Officers and Directors elected at the General MEmbership Meeting Sunday morning. DLI President Charlie Smith administered the oath of office for those in attendance. Following the installation of officers, many members rose to thank Sto for his dedicated and professional service to the Association.

The formal portion of the banquet was followed by our first Draw Down Raffle.

It was just a great time. We have been to these conventions for almost four decades. First, we went with our parents and now we bring our grandchildren. We just love them and wish more drycleaners and their families would join us. We will see you next year at the 107th edition.

Ole Mack

On the Beach with Wes Sessoms

This year the 106th Convention was held at The Blockade Runner Hotel in Wrightsville Beach.  I have to say the choice of this hotel was great!  The facilities were perfect and the staff was most accommodating.  Every question was answered; Yes Sir!  Every morning before the meetings a sumptuous breakfast buffet was served on the patio or inside.  The  grounds were immaculately landscaped and the facility was set up with Volleyball, Croquet, Soccer, Badminton and of course swimming pool with Bar and outdoor dining.  Then there was the Atlantic Ocean!

 

One of the most important pieces of beach gear I took was my Pop up Tent (which is a misnomer because in NO way does it actually just POP up) for fun out of the sun, where I could read missed issues of Fabricare and Carolina Clean Newsletters.  The staff from The Blockade Runner went to my car and carried my 70 lb. tent to the beach, then 100 yards, to an open spot only to find it was too windy for the tent.  The cabana boys, then, deconstructed it for me and toted it back to the hotel and stored it for me. Amazing. I think I learned a little about customer service from these people.  

On Saturday the intrepid threesome of Wes Sessoms, Rick Kane and Joe Scalco (husband of DLI, CEO Mary Scalco) traveled to Magnolia Greens to play a round of golf with the clubs head pro, Rick Ferrell (Susie & Bill Sessoms Nephew).  After a long, hard fought match, I redeemed my loss to Joe, of two years ago, at Atlantic Beach.  Of course, in my next, routine conversation with DLI, I might have mentioned this minor fact to the staffer.  So, it looks like a rubber match, best two out of three, next year, Joe. I invite anyone interested to join us. 

After the speakers on Sunday we were able to pop up the tent and watch the waves roll in for a few hours.  Various dry cleaners and industry related people joined us to review the Newsletters and discuss our favorite topic laundry and dry cleaning.  Then, with the thought of Saturdays golf match still inspiring me, several of us hiked down the beach to the tent of sheik Lawson and company, where ladder golf was set up for everyone’s enjoyment.  Ladder golf is a beach game where you throw two golf balls tethered by a 12” rope to a ‘ ladder’ of PVC three rungs high approximately 50’ apart.  The goal is to have the rope wrap around one of the three rungs to achieve points to reach 21.  Still in winning spirits from Saturday, Wes Brunson and Wes Sessoms challenged Marvin Thomas and Rich Volk to a match.  Once again, after a long hard fought match, under tough conditions (sand and sun) Wes and Wes were victorious! 

 Shortly after returning to my tent, the most excellent staff from the hotel packed my tent to the parking lot and we then prepared for the evenings activities of dinner, awards, NCALC Officer installation and the First Annual NCALC Raffle.

Draw Down Raffle a Big Success

by Tom Volk

The night started off with Wes Sessoms working the highly technical “vacuum” system to pick the numbers. Tom Wilson called out the numbers while Martin Young marked them off the chart.

With every 7th number drawn, the recipient received a door prize if they were present. The 50th number drawn, which was held by Billy Kincaid, with Consolidated Laundry Equipment Company, received $50.00.  Wes Brunson with Fabritec held the 100th number drawn.  He received $100.00.

When the raffle got down to the final four numbers, a live auction was held for the fifth number. The bidding was strong but in the end Nadene McArthur, a guest of Tom Wilson’s, won the bid for that ticket and paid $500.00.

At that point in the raffle, the five remaining numbers had a 1 in 5 chance of winning $2,500.00.  Wes Brunson, Nadene McArthur, Ken Farrington, Diane Rue and Mike Smathers held the final 5 tickets. Four of the five ticket holders were present and they decided among themselves to split the $2500.00 five ways giving each $500.00. Nadene graciously donated her winnings back to NCALC.

After giving out all the door prizes and cash, the net profit for the 1st Annual Draw Down was $11,600.00. Thanks to everyone for a successful fundraiser.

NCALC Annual Meeting Report

Old Business: There was no old business,

New Business: Past President Martin Young, reporting for the Trusteeship Committee acting in its capacity as the Financial Oversight Committee, had reviewed the 2011 year end financial statements, separation of accountability and 2011 tax returns and found all to be in good order. The committee does not recommend an external audit and recommends that the Executive Director be authorized to sign and submit the 2011 Tax Return as prepared by Stanley Accounting Services, CPA PA (Copies of the 2011 financial statement and tax return are available for inspection at the Association Office). A motion was made by Bayard Crumpton and seconded by Tom Volk to accept the recommendations of the Trusteeship Committee nas passed by voice vote.

President-Elect Larry Hill presented the following slate of Officers and Directors for 2012-2014.

Officers

Larry HillPresident

Tom VolkPresident Elect

Allan CheathamVP Membership

Bayard CrumptonVP Member Services

Chris EdwardsVP Governmental Affairs

Jimmy LeeTreasurer

Rita FoleySecretary

Wes SessomsSergeant at Arms

Marvin ThomasImmediate Past President

District Directors

Edwina JohnstonDist 1 (NE) Director

Patrick Cardenas Dist 2 (SE) Director

Charisse LassiterDist 3 (Triangle) Director

Mark SuggDist 4 (Triad) Director

Roger RouthDist 5 (NW) Director

Cooki PatelDist 6 (Charlotte) Director

Tom WilsonDist 7 (SW) Director

At-Large Directors

Young Bang

Wes Brunson

Al Cardenas

Patrick Collins

Ken Farrington

Tom Gosselin

Brenda Honeycutt

Rick Kane

John Kim

Billy Kincaid

David Knight

David Makepeace

Cathy Richardson

Bob Smart

John Thomas

Rich Volk

Billy Whitfield

Bart Williams

Allied Trade Representative

Kevin Lawson

The President opened the floor for additional additional nominations. Past President Mack Davis nominated Brett Allen as an additional At-Large Director, seconded by Simon Vick, and approved by voice vote. Past President Martin Young made a motion to accept the slate by acclamation which was seconded by Past President Simon Vick and approved by voice vote with no objections.

The President called for any further business. There being none, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m. by voice vote on a motion made by Bayard Crumpton and seconded by Martin Young.

Welcome New Members

Jeremy Tutt

Dixie Cleaners

Kannapolis, NC

Thank You, Returning Members

Patsy McGee

Rochelle Cleaners

Elizabeth City

Ed Strange

Imperial Cleaners

Rocky Mount

Billy Whitfield

Exclusive Cleaners

Wilson

Jim Hilker

Hilkers Cleaners

Raleigh

Member Matters

Sunny Smith celebrated her 90th birthday April 23. If you missed it, I’m sure she would still love to hear from you. You can address your cards and letters to Sunny at150 Cedar St., Cary, NC 27511, or call her at 919-656-4286.

Congratulations to Jimmy & Karen’s son Jonathan, who finished second in the Boys’ 10  Singles at the N.C. STATE TARHEEL QUALIFIER. May 25 - 28 in Winston Salem and 5th in Boys’ 10 Singles and 3rd in Boys’ 10 Doubles at the SOUTHERN BOYS & GIRLS 10 CLOSED TOURNAMENT in Lexington, South Carolina, June 15-18 against top ranked players from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

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