LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The International Fabricare Institute (IFI) threw a 100th anniversary party last night at Planet Hollywood Resort in conjunction with Clean '07 in Las Vegas, ending the blowout bash with a surprise — that the association will be known as the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) from this day forward.
The change, association officials say, will help in consumer outreach. "Basically, most consumers don't understand what IFI means," says DLI president Barbara Harvey. "Inside the industry, we all know what 'fabricare' means, but the name IFI did not represent what we do very well to the general public. We wanted to simplify the name so they could more easily understand who we are and what we do."
The name is the association's fifth since it was formed as the National Association of Cleaners & Dyers (NADC) in August 1907. It became IFI when the National Institute of Drycleaning (NID) and the American Institute of Laundering (AIL) merged in 1972.
"One hundred years is a big deal," says Bill Fisher, DLI's CEO. "It's a testament to the organization's strength and fortitude. It also was a logical point to assess who we are and what we want to be as an organization. Drycleaning & Laundry Institute says who we are in a clear way."
The 100th anniversary party featured a live band, dancers, and complementary food and drinks complements of IFI and a team of cosponsors. Hundreds of revelers attended to mingle, nosh and dance with fellow industry members.
Overnight on the Clean Show floor, the IFI booth became the DLI booth. While the association expects to unveil a new logo soon, members should expect no changes in the services they expect from IFI.
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