The year is quickly coming to an end. The time seems to go faster and faster each year. As you reflect back on the goals you set out to accomplish this year, did you meet or exceed them? Did you do what you said you were going to do? It’s never too late to set goals and put a plan together to see them through.
At the Board of Directors level for the Coin Laundry Association, we had established a number of goals for the organization. We stayed focused and were driven to accomplish them. It all began with a successful Clean Show in Atlanta this past spring. We had developed and adopted a strategic plan for our trade association. The very popular CLA Connect Open Forum was launched. And, in addition, the LaundryCares Foundation was relaunched with a renewed sense of energy and momentum, along with a solid plan for the future.
At the local and regional levels, there were a number of successful CLA affiliate initiatives as well. Of course, the one major victory was the well-publicized success of the Iowa Self-Service Laundry Association in repealing the long-standing sales tax on laundromats in that state; the ISSLA team was focused and dedicated to make it happen. Hopefully, the big win in Iowa will help set the stage for the future of the laundry industry.
It was a good year for the CLA, but it wasn’t without its challenges. The key is to stay focused on the end game. It requires good people willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved. We need people from all levels of the industry engaged – from the CEO and the entire CLA staff to every member on the Board of Directors, coming up with fresh ideas and then implementing the execution of these ideas.
We have some great things to look forward to as we turn the page to 2016. The economy is in good shape. Interest rates remain low. Our industry continues to be healthy in North America and around the world. And I’ve personally never seen so much interest in our industry. The signs are all pointing in the right direction.
I don’t see it slowing down. The challenge today for all of us is to figure out how we plan to keep up.
As you look to the future of your own self-service laundry business, as well as to the future of this great association, I encourage you to get involved and stayed involved. We need the support of everyone for the continued health of our industry.
With that said, it’s been my pleasure to serve as your 2015 Chairman of the Coin Laundry Association. I’ve met a lot of talented people along the way with a lot of great ideas. I’ve learned from them, and I hope they’ve learned from me. In closing, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season – and a very prosperous new year.
