NEW ORLEANS — As the new year gets under way, those in the laundry and dry cleaning industry who are planning to attend Clean 2013 this summer can now register for the event and reserve their hotel room in the Big Easy.
Scheduled for June 20-22 (just three days in 2013 instead of the traditional four) at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Clean 2013—officially the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning—is touted as the world’s “largest exhibition of commercial laundry, dry cleaning and textile services equipment and ancillary products,” according to Riddle & Associates, the exhibition’s organizer.
Pre-registration for Clean 2013 is set at $99, with a deadline of May 31. After that date, attendees will have to register onsite for a fee of $149 per person.
Attendees will have a valuable hands-on opportunity to learn about new products and gather the latest information about industry trends, says John Riddle, president of Riddle & Associates.
“You will see the newest equipment, learn about new services, see working demonstrations and have access to outstanding industry education,” says Riddle. “In today’s world of electronic communication, it is nice to have the opportunity to communicate with someone eye-to-eye, face-to-face and talk with them about industry issues.”
In addition to product exhibitions by hundreds of companies, Clean 2013 will also play host to several educational sessions presented by the five major industry associations sponsoring the overall event. The Association for Linen Management (ALM), Coin Laundry Association (CLA), Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI), Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) and Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA) will host educational sessions that are open to all registered attendees.
“Each association supports its members with education and other valuable services to help them grow and protect their businesses,” reads the Clean 2013 website. “The associations develop and offer seminars on topics of interest to their respective segments.”
To assist attendees with accommodations, the Clean Show Housing Bureau has been established and offers discounted rates ranging from $109 to $315 per night at 20 area hotels.
In addition to general housing for attendees, five properties have been designated as “headquarter hotels” for the associations sponsoring the event, for those who wish to stay with other attendees and exhibitors from their segment of the industry.
A note on the event website reads, “You may be able to find lower rates at official Clean Show hotels by booking through other services, but you may not get the same product in return.”
A complimentary shuttle-bus service to and from the Morial Convention Center will be offered during the June event. The dedicated service will make stops at all headquarter hotels and within two blocks of other official Clean 2013 hotels.
Hotel reservations must be made by May 17 through the Clean Show Housing Bureau to receive the discounted rates.
Official Clean 2013 hotels include:
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Astor Crowne Plaza (CLA headquarters)
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Best Western Plus St. Christopher
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Chateau LeMoyne French Quarter
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Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown/Iberville
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Courtyard New Orleans Downtown/Convention Center
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Hampton Inn Convention Center
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Hilton Riverside
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Holiday Inn French Quarter
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Loews New Orleans Hotel
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Marriott Convention Center (TCATA headquarters)
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Marriott New Orleans (TRSA headquarters)
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Monteleone
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Omni Royal Orleans (ALM headquarters)
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Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
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Royal Sonesta (DLI headquarters)
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Sheraton New Orleans
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Springhill Suites Convention Center
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W Hotels New Orleans
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Westin
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Windsor Court
Overall, in addition to learning about the newest products and trends, Riddle explained that one other benefit that attendees will reap is the sense of camaraderie and connection among the various businesses and organizations in the industry. “It’s a great chance to renew old friendships and make new ones,” he says.
To learn more about Clean 2013, including how to register and make reservations at official Clean 2013 hotels, visit cleanshow.com.
