FAIRFIELD, N.J. – With attendance up 18% over recent conferences, the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) deemed its 2013 Annual Management & Educational Conference a “big success.” The Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego played host to the four-day meeting that ended Aug. 3.
More than 20% of attendees took in their first-ever TCATA conference. “I was very pleased to see such a strong attendance of ‘first timers’ at the conference – the involvement of so many new people in our industry is a good sign for the future of TCATA,” says Bryant Dunivan, association president.
Covering a wide range of topics, the business program received high ratings from attendees. Featured speakers included Beth Ziesenis, who addressed low-cost or free technology tools for busy executives; Barry Maher, on improving communication skills; and Mike Marks, on how to survive in the “new normal.” Several attendees commented that they plan to immediately implement several ideas they picked up from the speakers.
A special conference highlight was a dinner at nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, where attendees had an opportunity to see fighter jets and mix with active-duty personnel. A portion of the fees paid to the event management team, as well as sales of T-shirts, caps and military memorabilia, goes to a charity fund for the Marines.
The meeting ended with a closing dinner during which conference chair Kim Shady of Laundrylux thanked all committee members and Dunivan presented awards to two companies celebrating many years of TCATA membership: American Trade Magazines (publisher of American Drycleaner), Chicago, 75 years; and R.W. Martin & Sons, Kent, Ohio, 25 years.
Next year’s TCATA conference is scheduled for April 30-May 3 in Naples, Fla.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].