CLA Hosts Third Excellence in Laundry Conference in Southern California
In 2012, the Coin Laundry Association hosted the first-ever Excellence in Laundry Conference. It was a unique event that brought some of the self-service laundry industry’s most successful businesspeople together for two days of unmatched educational sessions, networking, trade show exhibits – and, above all, an opportunity to compare notes and share best practices with their peers.
This inaugural event was a huge success. And now the CLA is readying for its third biennial Excellence in Laundry Conference, to be held May 18-19 at the prestigious Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, Calif.
“We had such an overwhelmingly positive response after the first Excellence conference in 2012 – we realized this needed to be a recurring event to help laundromat owners take their businesses to the next level,” explained Brian Wallace, president and CEO of the Coin Laundry Association. “There’s no other event in the laundry industry where you’ll be able to network with the very best in the business and learn tried-and-true strategies from some of the country’s leading business authorities.”
And this year’s lineup of speakers does not disappoint. It includes:
• Dr. Alan Beaulieu, the president of ITR Economics and one of the country’s foremost economists. Since 1990, he has been consulting with companies throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia on how to forecast, plan and increase their profits based on business cycle trend analysis. Dr. Beaulieu also is the co-author of “Prosperity in the Age of Decline,” a powerful look at how to make the most of the U.S. and global trends over the next 20 years. What’s more, he co-authored “Make Your Move,” a practical and insightful guide on increasing profits through business cycle changes.
• Paul Taylor, the author of “The Next America: Boomers, Millennials and the Looming Generational Showdown.” The book draws on his work at the Pew Research Center, a non-partisan “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. Mr. Taylor served as the center’s executive vice president from 2003 to 2014 and oversaw all of its demographic, social and generational research.
• Tim Greiner, the co-founder and managing director of Pure Strategies, based in Gloucester, Mass. He has pioneered approaches to building environmental and social integrity into products, brands and businesses. His experience spans the spectrum from developing corporate strategy for multinationals, designing product sustainability programs, creating strategies to transform supply chains and fostering collaborative mechanisms to lift the sustainability performance of entire industries. He is currently working with several progressive businesses on deepening their corporate responsibility efforts through product innovation and supply chain engagement. Current and former clients include Annie’s, Walmart, Seventh Generation, The North Face, Stonyfield Farm, EMD Millipore and U.S. EPA.
Capping off this year’s Excellence in Laundry roster is special guest Kenny Aronoff, a long-time studio and touring drummer who has worked with the likes of John Mellencamp, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Lady Gaga and many others. These days, he splits his time between touring, studio work, and teaching others how to embrace adversity and gain confidence in their personal and professional lives.
In “An Evening with Kenny Aronoff,” Excellence attendees will hear stories about some of his successes, as well as his failures. Mr. Aronoff also will discuss how self-discipline and hard work, fueled by passion and education, helped him reach his goals in life. He will motivate and educate by sharing his “7 Keys to a Successful Life and Career.”
In addition to the educational sessions, laundry professionals will enjoy a welcome reception the evening of May 17, a dinner gala on May 18 and a farewell picnic on the afternoon of May 19 – all nestled in the bohemian enclave of Ojai, Calif.
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
The historic Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is a luxurious retreat that has been one of California’s most revered destinations since opening in 1923. Located just 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, the resort overlooks the unspoiled natural beauty of its mountain surroundings and celebrates the relaxed glamour of California’s past to create an unparalleled resort experience that is quintessentially Ojai.
Set on 220 oak-studded acres, conference attendees can indulge in an abundance of active and peaceful pleasures with a George C. Thomas designed golf course; soul-soothing spa therapies at the 31,000-square-foot Spa Ojai; instruction that encourages creative consciousness in the Artist Cottage; essential oil blending in the Apothecary; multiple pools and more than five dining outlets with settings that range from fast-casual to fine dining.
In 2015, the Inn was honored among the Condé Nast Traveler “Top 100 Hotels in the World” editor-selected “Gold List” and was selected by Travel + Leisure readers as one of the “500 Best Hotels in the World,” affirming the Inn as a treasured destination that authentically combines the regions unspoiled spirituality with 21st century luxury.
Recently, this iconic southern California resort created a fully reimagined culinary experience – with the opening of a new signature restaurant, Olivella and Vine, and the reinvigorated Wallace Neff Heritage Bar. With new culinary leadership, a contemporary perspective and enduring commitment to valley-grown ingredients, the resort’s revitalized food and beverage program introduces the Inn as the area’s newest epicurean escape.
The resort’s culinary revolution begins with the passionate and talented chefs that obsess over every detail of the menu and preparation. Overseeing all of the resort’s dining, Executive Chef Truman Jones is a former farmer turned chef. Having worked in an array of five-star kitchens, Chef Jones brings deep farming roots and a long-standing commitment to local, seasonal and responsibly raised ingredients, along with a passion for fine technique. Leading the kitchen of Olivella and Vine is Chef Andrea Rodella, who is renowned for his signature style that marries the season’s best ingredients with the traditional preparations he learned as a boy growing up in northern Italy.
The 240-seat restaurant is divided into a variety of large and intimate dining spaces, with unique art pieces and custom designed lighting throughout that creates a residential feeling. Stylish private dining rooms feature oversized, intricately hand-carved White Russian Oak farm doors, soaring ceilings, sizeable windows and a cozy fireplace. A dramatic wine library surrounds the private wine room, with a carefully curated collection of hundreds of bottles from boutique vineyards the world over. The private wine room’s communal dining table seats 14 and is lit by a contemporary chandelier of steel and glass accompanied by dramatic artwork and coffered ceilings. Dual patios for al fresco dining offer prime viewing for Ojai’s legendary sunsets.
In addition, the venerable Wallace Neff Heritage Bar – a cornerstone of Ojai’s history since 1923 and long regarded as the resort’s historic center – has been carefully refreshed to serve as a welcoming gathering space, steeped in history yet featuring contemporary comforts, named after the renowned architect who built the clubhouse. An expanded courtyard with oversized fire pits and comfortable seating is filled with fragrance from surrounding lavender and magnolia gardens and leads to a handsome lounge filled with cozy nooks, overstuffed sofas, distressed leather armchairs and tables set for board games. A re-conceptualized food and beverage program features a seasonally driven menu of small bites and a Heritage menu of hand-crafted cocktails.
Of course, none of it would be possible without the support of this event’s generous sponsors. Therefore, the CLA extends a warm thank you to: Alliance Laundry Systems, Continental Girbau Inc., Dexter Laundry, Eastern Funding, BCC Payments, Laundrylux, Whirlpool, Setomatic’s SpyderWash, American Changer, Card Concepts Inc., CryptoPay, Firestone Financial, Hamilton Engineering Inc., Imonex, R&B Wire Products Inc. and Vend-Rite Manufacturing Co.
“The Excellence in Laundry Conference isn’t just about having a good time and learning a few new ideas,” Wallace stressed. “It’s about connecting professionals and unlocking doors of opportunity.”
