CLA Celebrates 50 Years of Industry Service

By PlanetLaundry staff | Dec 16, 2009

The Coin Laundry Association is celebrating a significant anniversary throughout 2010 – 50 years of service to the laundry industry.

Festivities for the 50th anniversary will begin in January with an online poll on coinlaundry.org to select the anniversary logo. The winning logo will appear on all of the CLA’s print and electronic media throughout 2010.

Other celebratory events include an anniversary blog with contributions from early founders and association partners, photographs and a few surprises along the way. CLA members are invited to share their memories and photos on the anniversary blog, contribute to podcasts and register for the 50th Anniversary Celebration Cruise taking place in October.

“We’re excited to observe this momentous event with a year-long celebration,” said CLA President and CEO Brian Wallace. “Fifty years is a true testament to the leaders who not only formed the association, but also all of those who have guided its growth.”

The association was established by industry manufacturers and distributors in October 1960 and incorporated in Chicago as the National Automatic Laundry and Cleaning Council in January 1961. Membership was extended to coin-operated laundry and drycleaner owners in 1963 for a fee of $35 per year, with an additional $10 per location for multi-store owners.

Today, the not-for-profit trade organization features more than 2,500 members. The Coin Laundry Association’s mission is to ensure a profitable and growing retail, self-service laundry industry by providing superior education, products and services to laundry owners. For membership information, call (800) 570-5629, or visit coinlaundry.org.