WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Many “movers and shakers” in the textile care industry gathered here in mid-April for the Textile Care Allied Trades Association’s 2012 Annual Management and Educational Conference, the group reports.
Speaker Dean Minuto opened the meeting with an unusual but intriguing topic — utilizing the latest findings in neuroscience to learn how to tap the “buy button” in the human brain. Attendees left with tangible ideas on how to change the marketing and sales of their products and services for maximum effectiveness.
Hunter Lott discussed ways that businesses can stay out of court. He reviewed the important issues surrounding hiring and firing, pay scales, personnel manuals, and a host of other topics important to any business owner. Finally, Sheila Kloefkorn outlined the ways that companies can use online marketing and social media to promote their business in a cost-effective way.
Two members were recognized for having achieved significant membership milestones. Rosenberg Supply, San Antonio, Texas, celebrates its 75th year of TCATA membership this year, and Michael Steiner, Steiner-Atlantic Corp., Miami, accepted an award recognizing his company’s 50th year of membership.
The Williamsburg Lodge was a short walk from the colonial section of Williamsburg, where attendees could explore the town’s history and learn more about the important role it played in the founding of our country. One of the evening functions included a self-guided tour of the Jamestown Settlement Museum.
“Those that attended this conference are the survivors in the industry,” says conference chairman Kevin Lawson, Tri-State Equipment. “It is clear that the educational seminars and networking opportunities available at the TCATA conference have played a role in the success of their businesses, something that draws members back year after year.”
Bryant Dunivan, vice president of marketing and sales at Energenics Corp., assumed the association’s presidency. He will serve a two-year term.
He has been active with TCATA for many years, having served as vice president of the Machinery Manufacturer membership division, chairman of the Clean Show Advisory Committee, and as a board member since 2009. He also chaired the 2006 annual conference.
Dunivan hopes to increase association membership by looking to some of the newer types of companies that have evolved in a vastly changed industry. “By educating these companies about the important role that TCATA plays in the industry, how the association helps them to be successful in their business, and exploring the common goals we have, I hope to expand TCATA’s reach in the industry.”
Roger Komins, founder of Package Supply, took over as treasurer. Elected to vice presidential terms for the next year were Tony Regan, American Dryer Corp., Machinery Manufacturers Group; D’Arcy McConvey, Dalex Canada, Distributors Group; and David Tingue, Tingue, Brown & Co., Supply Manufacturers Group.
Elected to the board of directors for two-year terms were Machinery Manufacturers Group: Regan, and Kim Shady, Laundrylux; Machinery Distributors Group: Jim Horwath, A.A. Horwath & Sons; Supply Manufacturers Group: Tingue, Kevin Gavlak of Faultless Laundry Products Group, and Mark O’Bryan of CTS Packaging; and Supply Distributors Group: Komins, and Gerald Henke of Intex Distributing.
