CHICAGO — Affiliates of Leading Cleaners Internationale (LCI), a consortium of high-end operators, came together recently in Chicago for an in-depth educational meeting.
This fall program brought LCI affiliates to the Windy City from throughout North America for ongoing development of ownership skills. LCI executive coordinator Barry Gershenson welcomed members and guests to the two-and-a-half-day meeting.
Highlights included affiliate presentations and special sessions, including a conversation about expanding in a tough economy with Jack Mitchell, the author of the management books Hug Your Customer and Hug Your Employees. Additional presentations included “Media Marketing” with Kristyn Wilson, Media Source, Columbus, Ohio.
LCI affiliates also took a field trip to the Chicago History Museum for a tour of period clothing led by head museum conservator Timothy Long. “I was truly impressed by our tour, and never really knew what really went into museum conservation and preservation,” says Margaret Butler, operator of Dublin Cleaners, Columbus, Ohio.
The meeting also featured a visit to Davis Imperial Cleaners, operated by founding LCI members Lynda and Rick Wood with and son, Jordan. The Woods showed off their innovative client-viewing area for wedding-gown inspection.
LCI affiliate Kermit Engh, of Fashion Cleaners, in Omaha, Neb., presented “Creating A Company Culture;” and Claude Foreman, operator of One Cleaners in New Orleans, La., presented “2010 Strategic Planning.”
At the LCI awards banquet, LCI Secret Shopper awards went to Jack Creed, Creeds, Toronto, in the Single Store and Most Improved categories. Dublin Cleaners took LCI’s Multi-Store Secret Shopper Award for operations with three or more locations.
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