How to survive the 2015 Clean Show

Conventions are incredibly popular today – from comic books to television, political rallies and sports – and the size and scope of these events are only growing.

For the laundry industry, the must-attend convention is the 2015 Clean Show, scheduled for April 16-19 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. According to the Clean Show, the last event – held at New Orleans’ Morial Convention Center – included 422 exhibitors and spanned more than 195,000 square feet. This year’s convention will be even bigger.

That means you’ll have a lot to see and do over the four days in Atlanta. If you want to get the most out of your experience, then you’ll need to come prepared. Whether you are a convention pro or a Clean Show novice, these four tips will help you be ready for the laundry industry’s most popular event:

1. Analyze your costs
Are you saving a few bucks by staying in a hotel miles away from the Georgia World Congress Center? That’s great, but consider the money you’ll need to spend just to get to the Clean Show. You could end up taking taxis, buses or renting a car. Before you leave for Atlanta, make sure you analyze your costs. You might actually save money by spending more on a closer hotel, but walking to the convention over the four days.

2. Come with a plan
There will be hundreds of exhibitors at the Clean Show, not to mention countless other events taking place Thursday through Sunday. If you want to not only make the most out of your time in Atlanta, but also simply see who you wanted to see, then you’ll need to come with a plan. For starters, you can create a schedule of the events. This will help you outline where you need to be and when. Don’t forget to factor in time for walking and waiting in line. Of course, feel free to deviate from your schedule, but even having a plan in place will help you stay focused.

More importantly, if you’re seriously planning on purchasing new equipment in 2015 for your dry cleaning or laundry business, then do it at Clean Show. Manufacturers usually run their best deals during this time and unfortunately, not many business owners take advantage of them. If you need of financing, we offer pre-approvals for new equipment purchases at Clean Show.

3. Bring the right tools
Your smartphone, tablet and laptop could all be incredibly important tools to have during the Clean Show. Make sure you can actually use them during the four days. You may even want to pick up a few gadgets to help you out, like a portable charger. At the very least, charge all your devices before you head out to the convention center.

The Clean Show has also started using technology to help attendees. Social media updates allow you to track upcoming events, and a mobile app is available to help you navigate the sprawling floor. The right tools can make all the difference.

4. Get your walking shoes
Last, but certainly not least, is your footwear. The convention center is massive, and you’ll be doing a lot of walking. This is especially true if you intend spend more than one or two days at the Clean Show. With that in mind, your best friend during the convention will be your shoes. Have a pair of shoes that are comfortable, durable and great for walking. Then, you’ll have no problem taking in all the sights and sounds of the 2015 Clean Show.