AUSTIN, Texas — The Southwest Drycleaners Association (SDA) has chosen the Shreveport (La.) Convention Center and Hilton Shreveport to host its 2018 Cleaners Showcase next April, SDA reports.
“Affordability and accessibility weighed heavily in the decision to host the Showcase in Shreveport-Bossier,” says Showcase Chairman Allen Cripe of the April 5-7, 2018, event. “This destination is easily accessible by car to markets with a large SDA membership base.”
The SDA Showcase committee has also decided to change the pattern dates of the show in an effort to follow this year’s survey requests by exhibitors and attendees. Event dates will shift from Friday-Sunday to Thursday-Saturday for the 2018 event.
“This will hopefully give some folks extra incentive to come and take their time here, knowing that they can spend extra time enjoying what Shreveport has to offer, if they so desire,” he says. “I believe there is also an intangible benefit to a lot of people knowing that they have the extra travel day without having to rush back to the office.”
The Opening Sneak Peek will take place Thursday evening. Friday and Saturday will be full days of exhibits and workshops.
“We polled our exhibitors and attendees and the call to have a more concise show was a prevailing theme. We listened and have made the changes our members and associates want,” says Cripe.
SDA is excited about the move to Shreveport, which is more centrally located in its region serving eight states.
“Those markets include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. It is important for the conference destination to also be an affordable travel destination. Missouri, for example, is home to many SDA members,” Cripe says. “We anticipate that flights from St. Louis to Shreveport will be taken advantage of by conference attendees. Members in Kansas and New Mexico will find it easy to fly in, as well as exhibitors from across the nation.”
The Shreveport Hilton connects directly to the Shreveport Convention Center. The community has lots to offer visitors, including casinos, riverboats, nightlife, art, museums, restaurants and shopping, SDA says.
“The venue is first-class, and the ‘all in one’ hotel and convention center in the same building is definitely a bonus,” Cripe says.
He points out that larger exhibitors will be able to drive right into the exhibit hall to drop off their equipment if they would like.
Booth sales and sponsorship opportunities are already available, SDA says. More details about the 2018 Cleaners Showcase will be found on the SDA website.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].