Classy is just one word that can be used to describe the 2006 Annual WFI Convention & Table Tops at the American Club in Kohler, Wis., February 10-12. The elegant charm of the American Club and the fantastic program went unnoticed by no one. The convention provided ample social and educational opportunities.
The three speakers - IFI's Jon Meijer, Scott Silvestri from the Kohler Co., and Gary Tsoumas and Jon Hill of Strategic Wealth Management - were all well received. Convention attendees learned a lot about finding out whom the customer is and how to keep them, through branding and marketing. Tsoumas and Hill talked about financial and business succession planning.
Saturday afternoon featured the Table Top Dessert Reception and the "Racing to Success" auction. Twenty-one of WFI's Allied Trades joined the convention to share the latest products and services to make 2006 successful. Each table top display also contained a silent auction item.
The "Racing to Success" live auction was a rousing success. The proceeds from the programs and education auction have been steadily climbing over the past few years. Thanks to the generous support of those at the convention, the auction (including the silent auction items) netted a record-breaking $25,711!
Saturday evening, February 11th, everyone gathered to honor some very important people. The banquet dinner started off with the recognition of the Five Star cleaners and re-certifications. Wendy Bacon from One Hour Martinizing was recognized as a Certified Environmental Drycleaner (CED), which Charles Cass accepted on her behalf. Ed Tutkowski, National One Hour Cleaners, received his re-cerfication as a Certified Professional Drycleaner (CPD).
Jerry Rauwald, Northbrook Insurance Associates, presented WFI President Sue Doolin with a check for $32, 219.72 for the association. The SECURA insurance program has been supporting WFI for 13 years.
WFI's special guest, IFI Vice President Jon Meijer, had the pleasure of randomly choosing two winners from the qualified Fitzgerald Scholarship Applicants. The two winners, Jason Whitley (Best Cleaners of Madison) and Eric Konwent (OHM-Hartland), were each awarded a $2,000 scholarship to attend one of the training sessions IFI offers each year.
The crowning event of the evening was Ken Lindemann's induction into WFI's Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame Committee Chair Arlene Tutkowski had the pleasure of introducing Mr. Lindemann and talking about his contributions to the industry and the association.
The superb program WFI planned, coupled with the unrivaled class and hospitality of the American Club, made the 2006 Annual Convention & Table Tops unforgettable.