SpringFest Expo Coming in April

After the highly acclaimed virtual FallFest Expo sponsored by NEFA, SEFA, and PDCA last fall, surveys demonstrated a strong desire for more virtual education opportunities in 2021. Respondents to an after-event survey overwhelmingly supported similar events in the future and specifically called for a smaller spring version.

DLI has lent its support as a sponsor of the new program, and the SpringFest Committee has announced a 3-day program from April 28 – 30th. The program will follow the same outline as the Fall version but features new speakers and topics.

“The program was a tremendous success,” offered Peter Blake, NEFA Executive Vice President, “and I am really excited about developing another program. There is a thirst for knowledge and people are looking for opportunities to learn about and explore ideas to help them come out of this storm stronger and better prepared for what the future holds.”

While the full slate of presenters and contributors is still being finalized, the Expo Committee is working diligently to construct a terrific program. One keynote program will be a S.W.O.T. analysis on the entire industry performed live by some of the leading names in the industry.

SpringFest will again feature a single price for the entire staff, and plans are to include programming for managers, owners, and customer service personnel. Plants registering for the SpringFest will receive discounted registration for November’s FallFest ‘21.

Other topics include “Leveraging Your Brand and Solidifying your Reputation” as well as a roundtable including some of the most notable drycleaners in the country discussing how they are preparing for the re-opening of the industry. “Breakout rooms will again be an integral part of the program,” offered Leslie Schaeffer, PDCA Co-Executive Director. “Attendees loved engaging with peers and sharing their experiences with other cleaners throughout the country, and this will be a conference highlight".

Details of the new program will be released on the association’s web pages as they are finalized.

Corona Virus Handling Precautions

The information developed for this guidance was taken largely from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov. It is important to note that the information is still developing as world health officials learn more about this strain of virus. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust any guidance as needed.

Coviden 19 Stats -
•The virus is transmitted from person to person by exposure to large respiratory drops (by sneezing!), by direct contact. The infection itself takes place in the respiratory tract. The recommendation at this point is to take the same precautions as a flu outbreak. Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer and when sneezing do not cover your mouth and nose with your hand but sneeze into the crook of your arm.

•At this point based on knowledge from other viruses such as SARS, it is believed that the life cycle of the Coronavirus outside the body is very short: it is estimated to be less than 20 minutes. Exception to the rule: linen that is contaminated with feces or bodily fluids may remain infected for up to 24 hours.

Risks to Drycleaning & Laundry Personnel
The risk when transporting and cleaning linen from the general public is considered very small at this point. General standard hyenic procedures that you have outlined for your plant are appropriate such as

Wash your hands regularly

Cough and sneeze in the inside of your elbow

Use tissues

Routine cleaning of hard surfaces with a disinfectant

Availability of hand sanitizers throughout the plant and counter area

Drivers should routinely use hand sanitizers and wipe down the steering wheel and other hard

For More Information and to Download a PDF, click HERE

Webinar Explains How to Use Old Insurance to Pay for Environmental Cleanup

On September 25th, EnviroForensics, in partnership with PDCA, discussed how dry cleaners can use old insurance policies to pay for environmental cleanups.

The webinar provided a clear understanding of the multi-disciplined approach necessary to address environmental contamination, clear next steps, and an opportunity to ask questions. The entire webinar was a proverbial roadmap to addressing environmental issues while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.

Today, almost every commercial business and property acquisition will require real estate and environmental due diligence assessments to determine if environmental contamination is present. Whether you’re refinancing your property, looking to sell your dry cleaning business or property, preparing to pass down your business to your children, or your neighbors are selling or refinancing their businesses, a due diligence assessment will likely be required for all sales and property transactions. If contamination is discovered, it can affect the value of your business or property.

An environmental investigation and cleanup can be confusing at best, or downright terrifying at worst. Whether you start out in complete control and can systemically walk through evaluating and managing your liability, are quickly forced into dealing with an environmental investigation and cleanup, or are just thinking into the future to prepare yourself; dry cleaners can minimize their liabilities and financial spending, resolve their environmental impact, and effectually add to the value of their business or property.

You can learn more about EnviroForensics tailored services for dry cleaners by going to their site at https://www.enviroforensics.com.

Pennsylvania Legislative Alert

Pennsylvania legislators are now considering an increase in the state’s minimum wage. Governor Wolf is proposing $12 an hour, with annual 50 cent increases to bring it to $15 by 2025. Any increase in the minimum wage will produce a ripple effect. Can you afford this? Many small businesses would find it crippling. We urge you to contact your legislator to ask that the measure be defeated. A sample letter is available from the PDCA office. If you have any questions, email us at leslie@pdclean.org or call 800-822-7352.