SEATTLE — Drycleaning industry consulting service provider America’s Best Cleaners™ (ABC) recently hosted its two-day national affiliate meeting here with more than 30 affiliates, partners, and guests in attendance.
“The theme of this meeting was ‘Teamwork,’” says Catherine McCann, ABC partner and operations director. “This exercise got our affiliates thinking outside of the box and past the challenges they face in their established businesses to what could work if there were no pre-existing limitations.”
On the first day, Mark Jones of SPOT Business Systems presented an update on new developments with his company’s point-of-sale and customer relationship management programs, ABC notes.
Dave Troemel of BeCreative360 presented improvements to the ABC Review My Drycleaner program, which aggregates consumer reviews of dry cleaners in a single location while allowing owner interaction with reviewers, says ABC.
The second day began with a presentation by Katherine McGraw Patterson, ABC’s marketing and brand specialist, on the importance of building a strong brand.
The highlight of the second day was the breakout session Team Incentives.
Perhaps the most meaningful portion of the two-day event was a surprise recognition ceremony for ABC founder Ed D’Elicio, the company writes. D’Elicio founded ABC in 2001 for garment care professionals interested in continuously improving their quality and service through education and peer sharing.
As at all ABC national affiliate meetings, the gathering kicked off with a plant tour. This time, it was of local affiliate Blue Sky Cleaners’ production facility.
The meeting wrapped with a two-hour roundtable discussion on best business practices.
“Hopefully, they can take these ideas back to their individual businesses and tweak them in ways that make them work for their own teams,” concludes McCann.
Not a group to miss a good time, the affiliates and guests made time for the “Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour” located just north of Seattle, where they had an opportunity to view 747, 777 and 787 jets being assembled.
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