The beauty and class of the American Club, combined with the first rate program, made the 2004 WFI Winter Convention and Table Tops unforgettable. The American Club is historic and charming, making it the perfect setting for the drycleaners. Friday evening WFI Executive Director Brian Swingle and WFI President Arlene Tutkowski welcomed everyone to the American Club. Special guests Peter Valessares, IFI District 5 Director, and his wife Chris were introduced, as well as Joe Caldwell, President of the Illinois State Fabricare Association, and his wife Barbara. Illinois State Fabricare's immediate past President Jim Rusciolelli, and Jack and Marilyn Annis also joined WFI for the weekend.

Following a delicious meal, WFI members adjourned to the hospitality suite to catch up with old friends, shoot a game of pool and play some cards. Others took the opportunity to take a carriage ride through Kohler.

Saturday morning and Sunday several great speakers left the Convention attendees with valuable information they could take and implement in their daily business operations. The presentations covered a variety of things from hiring, and training to the future of the economy and the latest trends in men's fashion and fabrics.

Saturday afternoon attendees visited with 16 of the Allied Trades companies, along with the DNR. Thank you to the Allied Trades for your continuous support of our Association. Joe Caldwell, Nancy Frinzi, Patti Schmitt and Karolyn Upham each won one of the surprise packages.

The "Come Fly With Me" auction took off after the Table Top Dessert Reception. Auctioneer Charlie Cass auctioned off over 150 items. The auction raised a record $24,650 for WFI's Educational Programs! A big thank you to the auction donors and the bidders for helping WFI break the record. WFI would also like to send out a special thank you to Tom McKay, Charlie Cass, Jim Fitzgerald, Sr., Nancy Frinzi, Ron Kantor, Brian Cass and Janet Johnson for working hard to make the auction run smoothly. Patti Schmitt and Brian Cass each won $100 in the buyers' raffle drawing.

Nearly 100 people joined us for Saturday's awards banquet. WFI's Executive Director Brian Swingle and President Arlene Tutkowski welcomed everyone. President Tutkowski announced the Board's decision to make Bob Wellsfry an Honorary Member of WFI.

Brian Swingle recognized four cleaners in the Five Star Program. Dan Martino II of Martino's Master Dry Cleaners and Gary Dallas of Royal Cleaners both received their 3-Star status. Ben Dallas of Royal Cleaners received his CED certification, and Tom Grimm of One Hour Martinizing received his CPD certification. Dan Martino and Jim Fitzgerald, Jr. announced this year's Fitzgerald Scholarship winners. Chris Wallace of Quick Cleaners and Jamie Wootan of Hangers Cleaners, were each awarded an $850 scholarship to attend an IFI training session.

Dan Martino became the 11th member of the WFI Hall of Fame. President Arlene Tutkowski had the honor of announcing Dan's induction to all those at the banquet. Arlene shared with us some of Dan's accomplishments and the countless things he has done for the drycleaning industry. Congratulations Dan and thank you for all that you've done for the industry.

The 2004 WFI Winter Convention came to a close with lunch on Sunday. We hope everyone left the Convention with valuable information to put to use in their business, and a few good memories and stories to share.