Chicago, IL  3.31.06  - Lynda and Rick Wood, owners of Davis Imperial Cleaners in Chicago, recently returned from a worldwide Annual Affiliate Conference in the Dominican Republic for Leading Cleaners Internationale (LCI). Attendees came from the United States, Australia and Canada to attend this once-a-year three day event.  Those in attendance represented the finest clothing care professionals in the world.

Focusing on the care of designer and couture clothing, LCI affiliates work closely with retailers to provide advice and dependable, trouble-free care for store merchandise and their clients’ private wardrobes. Services range from maintenance of stock merchandise – scheduled and emergency – to full restoration of improperly cared-for garments and accessories.

The nine presentations and working sessions included the topics of customer care, branding, retailer relations – breakthrough techniques in cleaning couture clothing and accessories and how to best serve the discriminating consumer. One session focused on manufacturer-quality repairs and alterations for knits while another outlined the skills required to clean and restore couture handbags and purses.  Lynda and Rick said, “The trip to Dominican Republic was exceptional!  It’s very exciting to assemble the best couture cleaners in one room to openly share proprietary information.”

LCI affiliates are expected to produce the highest quality work and must pass stringent 58-point certification criteria to remain in good standing as an affiliate of Leading Cleaners Internationale. Affiliates are “Secret Shopped,” audited, and assessed regularly.  Three affiliates were awarded their Certification Trophy for completing the Five Star certification process:  Lynda and Rick Wood, Davis Imperial Cleaners, Chicago, Jack Creed, Creed Dry Cleaning, Toronto and Chuck Horst, Margarets Cleaners in San Diego.  Completing the certification process takes a minimum of one year.

Steve Boorstein, The Clothing Doctor and executive director of LCI said, “I believe that LCI affiliates are the most committed professionals in the clothing-care industry. When it comes to caring for couture clothing and satisfying the unique needs of boutique owners, department stores and couture salons, LCI affiliates deliver  the finest fabricare quality and service in the industry.

To learn more about LCI, visit our website at www.leadingcleaners.com or call Steve Boorstein at 800.217.2008.