FAIRFIELD, N.J. — The Textile Care Allied Trade Association (TCATA) describes its annual get-together as “another outstanding conference,” based on a consensus of those who attended the recent management and educational meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo.
One of the highlights included attendees gathering at the U.S. Olympic Training Center one evening to light the Olympic torch and cauldron, which was relayed by past TCATA presidents who were in attendance, then lit by Gerald Henke, current president of TCATA.
While at the training center, attendees also mingled with several Olympians currently training there; toured the facility; and witnessed a judo demonstration up-close by four Olympic athletes.
During the conference, Henke presented anniversary awards to Bill Brooks, Alliance Laundry Systems, celebrating 25 years; and Kevin Gavlak, Faultless Laundry Products, celebrating 50 years.
Also, he announced Leslie Schaeffer as president-elect, and John Silverman as treasurer-elect. Both assume two-year terms at the end of the 2018 annual conference.
Schaeffer is vice president of BPS Communications. The firm is a family-owned business started by her parents in 1959. She has worked there for 34 years, and manages operations as well as the Pennsylvania and Delaware regional trade show, the California trade show and the Southeast Fabricare show.
Silverman is president and owner of Tschopp Supply, a distributor based in Buffalo, N.Y., which was founded by his grandfather in 1945. He has been with the company since 1989, and currently serves on the TCATA board of directors, the membership committee, and has served on the conference business program committee.
There were three speakers at the conference. Jade West of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors provided an update on the myriad legislative and regulatory issues in Washington, DC, including the “colorful” political climate.
Krista Clive-Smith gave members ideas on how they can brand their companies, differentiating themselves from competitors.
Finally, featured speaker Steve McClatchy offered many valuable insights into ways to utilize time more efficiently, discussing many simple technology tools that lead to greater productivity.
This year, 43 golfers participated in TCATA’s annual golf tournament, held at the Colorado Springs Country Club. First and second place teams, along with “longest drive” and “closest to the pin” were presented with “Olympic medals” by the four Olympians who performed the judo demonstration. The association: “Gives a big thank-you to all the golfers who raised $600 toward it’s scholarship fund!”
Spouses and guests participated in a fun, interactive jewelry-making program led by Taryn Sweeney of White Rabbit Beads. Intertwined into the closing dinner was a murder-mystery in which clues were given throughout the evening to solve the murder.
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