2025/04 - ARCS Annual Convention 2025 (Washington, D.C.)
Regular price $750.00Date: April 2 to April 5, 2025
Location: Washington, DC
Price: Member $750 first person; $700 each additional person - To book a one-day pass for Thursday ($500) or Friday ($250), call Ann Marie Thompson directly at (503) 949-9700. Optional Saturday Tour-TBA.
IICRC Continuing Education: 14 credit hours
If you have any questions, please contact info@rugcarespecialists.org.
- Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Registration
- Welcome Happy Hour: Lobby Lounge (cash bar)
- Dinner on your own
- Thursday, April 3, 2025
- Welcome and overview of the day by ARCS President
- Annual Meeting – Recap of the past year and projects in the works by ARCS Board of Director
- Associate Member
- Branded not Blanded – Dan Antonelli
- Acquisitions – Jared Reeves Certified Clean Care Watkinsville, GA
- Associate Member
- Keynote Speaker- Arnold Sanow, MBA, CSP
- Closing Comments & instructions for following day – ARCS President
- Dinner on your own
- Friday, April 4, 2025
- The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
- Ayoub Carpet Service
- Saturday, April 5, 2025
- Tour (optional)
Aaron Glazier - President
Certified Clean Care
www.certifiedcleancare.com
Aaron has been with Certified Clean Care since 2013 and is currently the Rug Shop Manager. In that timeframe he has completed his degree with a Bachelor’s in Business Management. Got married to his bride in 2015 and recently just had his first child on Valentine’s day of this year. He completed the Master Rug Cleaner course in 2018 and has been a member of ARCS for several years now. He enjoys smoking BBQ in his off time and travels every chance he gets.
Keynote Speaker
Arnold Sanow, MBA, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional)
https://arnoldsanow.com/
speaker@arnoldsanow.com
Arnold Sanow, MBA, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), works with Leaders and Teams to help them get along better with customers, co-workers, and employees, ensuring a more positive, productive, and profitable workplace and customer care culture.
He has delivered over 2,500 keynote speeches, professional development training programs, and facilitations to more than 500 companies, associations, and governmental agencies worldwide. He is also a former adjunct professor at Georgetown University.
He is the author of 7 books, including "Get Along with Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime," "Present with Power, Punch and Pizzazz," and the recent #1 Amazon best-seller, "Leadership in Trying Times." He is a frequent guest in the media, including CBS Evening News, ABC World Morning News, FOX Business, Wall St. Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Time Magazine, etc.
Successful Meetings Magazine has named Arnold one of the five best "bang for the buck"speakers in the USA, and his peers rated him as one of the top 30 Global Gurus in CommunicationJared Reeves, Guest Speaker
Certified Clean Care
www.certifiedcleancare.com
Jared Reeves is the owner of Certified Clean Care, a premier carpet cleaning and restoration company. He acquired the business from his mentor in 2015 and has since led its remarkable growth, expanding revenue by over 500%. Under his leadership, the company has evolved into a multi-brand operation, now managing five brands across two states and four locations.
Jared has been actively involved in acquisitions of all sizes, strategically expanding his company’s footprint. One of his most recent acquisitions includes Carr’s Rug Cleaning in Knoxville, TN. His expertise in scaling businesses and navigating acquisitions has made him a respected leader in the industry.
Most recently, Jared was honored as a finalist in the Bulldog 100, an elite recognition awarded by the University of Georgia Alumni Association to the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA alumni. The program highlights entrepreneurs who demonstrate exceptional growth, innovation, and leadership in their industries. Being named a finalist places Jared among an elite group of business leaders making a significant impact on the economy and their respective fields.
His journey from mentee to industry leader showcases his commitment to growth, strategic expansion, and business excellence.
Dan Antonelli
President and Chief Creative Officer
Best Selling Author, “Branded Not Blanded:
KickCharge® Your Home Service Brand”
dan@kickcharge.com
Dan Antonelli is the President and Chief Creative Officer of KickCharge Creative, an award-winning 40 person New Jersey-based branding agency that specializes in helping home service businesses redefine themselves and stand out with disruptive brands. Dan is a nationally recognized speaker and expert on home service branding, with several books on branding to his credit, including Building a Big Small Business Brand and his new Amazon best-selling book, Branded Not Branded: KickCharge Your Home Service Brand. During more than 30 years running his own agency, Dan’s marketing expertise has been featured on MSNBC and in industry magazines including Entrepreneur, HVACR Business, Plumbing & Mechanical, and Contracting Business, among many others. His signature wrap style that integrates disruptive branding has served as a model for superior home service fleet branding throughout the world. With more than 3,000 home service brands under his belt, including well-known brands like Goettl, A1 Garage, Eco Plumbing, and Grasshopper Heating & Cooling, Dan and his team have overseen the branding of more home service businesses than any other brand agency in the world.
Dan Ayoub - Owner
Ayoub Carpet Service
Dan Ayoub is President and Owner of Ayoub Carpet Service® (ACS®), a family-owned business serving Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the DC area since 1952. With over 38 years of industry leadership, Dan has built upon a legacy of quality craftsmanship, customer service, and innovation in carpet, rug, and flooring care.
Under Dan’s leadership, Ayoub Carpet Service has expanded its operations, modernized its cleaning and restoration techniques, and maintained its reputation as one of the region’s premier experts in rug care, carpet cleaning, and flooring solutions. ACS combines modern cleaning technology with traditional handwashing techniques, ensuring efficiency while safeguarding each rug’s integrity. Dan’s dedication to excellence has earned ACS numerous industry recognitions, including features in Washingtonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Northern Virginia Magazine, Best Pick Reports, and Consumer’s Checkbook, as well as certifications from CRI, IICRC, ORRA, and ARCS.
Beyond his business expertise, Dan has deep roots in the NoVa community, where he grew up and developed a strong connection to the region. From an early age, he immersed himself in the family business, learning the trade firsthand and honing the skills passed down through generations. The Ayoub name has been synonymous with fine rug care. As a dedicated successor of the original Ayoub family business, Dan takes great pride in preserving and elevating this legacy of excellence.
The Darcy
1515 Rhode Island Ave NW
Washington, DC 20005
https://www.thedarcyhotel.com/
Room Rate $289
Reservations-The Darcy
To make your room reservation and receive the discount, please call Ann Marie at (503) 949-9700.
2025 - CRS Course & Test (Dallas, TX)
Regular price $3,300.00
To complete the CRS Course & Test, you must be a Member of ARCS.
To register - email your company name, the person attending, email address, and phone number to info@rugcarespecialists.org
Date: January 20-25, 2025
Location: Dallas, TX; Class and test given at Oriental Rug Cleaning Co.
Instructor: Ellen Amirkhan & Robert Mann
IICRC Continuing Education: 12 credit hours
Member Price: $3,300
Single Day Audits: Member Price: $250/day; Nonmember Price: $600/day
The Certified Rug Specialist class is a five-day, advanced rug identification seminar. Aimed at those who are already competent in basic rug ID and looking to take the next step, this class arms students with the tools to improve and expand their readily apparent rug identification skills, as well as provide them with the skills to identify those rugs which may not be so obvious.
In addition to identifying the rugs' origins, the class covers the practical uses for that knowledge, such as common pre-existing conditions, cleaning considerations common to the rug type and conversational knowledge with helps to distinguish oneself in the marketplace.
While this class is the primer for the rug identification portion of the CRS exam, it is also of value to anyone looking to improve their rug knowledge or "shake the dust" off existing rug ID skills. Class fees includes five lunches, handouts and a copy of A Comprehensive Guide to Oriental and Specialty Rug Cleaning, which serves as the class manual. While there are currently no specific prerequisites for this course, students must be cleared by the ARCS education committee to ensure they have the adequate background knowledge to benefit from the material presented.
The CRS class is for students with a good foundation of experience in cleaning and rug identification, the ability to readily identify commonly encountered rugs and looking for a program to take their skills to the next level. Participants must be ARCS members in good standing. No specific prerequisites are required, but all applicants for the class are encouraged to speak with the head of the Educational Committee, Robert Mann, or the class instructor, Ellen Amirkhan, for final approval.
MONDAY - January 20th
Armen: Cleaning Chemistry 2 hours
Ellen: Machine-Made Rugs 1.5 hours
Lunch
Ellen: Review
a) History of Oriental Rugs
b) Dyes
c) What is an Oriental Rug
d) Four Categories of Oriental Rugs/Traditional Persian
e) Where Oriental Rugs Get Their Names
f) Construction
g) Knots and Grading Systems
h) End Finishes
i) Side Finishes
j) Chemical Wash
k) Design Components
h) Dating Rugs
i) Components of Identification/Technical Analysis
Countries Producing Oriental Rugs
a) Iran: Heriz, Sarouk, Kashan, Kerman, Mahal, Tabriz, Meshed, Joshagan, Serab, Bijar, silk rugs
TUESDAY - January 21st
a) Finish Persian rugs from Monday
b) Six Persian single-wefted rugs: Hamadan, Malayer, Senneh, Bakhtiari, Karaja, Lillihan
c) Tribal Rugs: Baluch, Turkoman, Bakhtiari, Afshar, Shiraz
WEDNESDAY - January 22nd
Countries Producing Oriental Rugs, con’t
a) Afghanistan
b) China
c) India
d) Pakistan
e) Romania
f) Tibetan
g) Turkish
THURSDAY - January 23rd
Countries Producing Oriental Rugs, con’t (if necessary)
Caucasian & Navajo Rugs (taught by Robert Mann)
Hands-On Technical Analysis—divide into groups
Appraisals—Power Point
FRIDAY - January 24th
Review for written test
Practice rug Identification in the plant with rugs not previously seen
Mock Rug Identification test
Questions, Answers, Problems
SATURDAY - January 25th
9AM-12PM
Written test
Hands-On Identification Test
Ellen Amirkhan: Ellen Amirkhan is a graduate of Texas Woman's University with a Bachelor of Science degree and Southern Methodist University with a Master of Liberal Arts degree. She is President of Oriental Rug Cleaning Co., Inc., in Dallas, Texas, a business started by her grandfather in 1911 that specialized in cleaning, repairing, appraising, and selling oriental rugs.
A past president of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR) - now the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) - Ellen develops and teaches oriental rug schools for the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and other recognized groups across the United States and England, and is a co-developer of the Master Rug Cleaner Program.
In addition, she consults and serves as an expert witness for the legal profession. Ellen holds the designations of Certified Appraiser of Oriental Rugs from the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and the Oriental Rug Retailers of America (ORRA) and Certified Rug Specialist (CRS) from the Association of Rug Care Specialists (ARCS).
Ellen's awards include the RIA Dr. Steven Spivak Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Textile Industry, The ASCR Helen Bradley Distinguished Service Award and The North Texas Chapter of the International Society of Appraisers (NTISA) Ellen Amirkhan Distinguished Service Award.
Robert Mann: Robert owns and operates Robert Mann Rugs Inc. in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1978, RMR Inc. provides cleaning and repair services to retail and wholesale clients throughout the United States, as well as outsourced restorations services provided by its sister company, ATC, in Izmir , Turkey. Robert spent for over 25 years working as a technical consultant in modern rug productions in nearly all the major rug producing countries.
Chuck Koshgarian, Koshgarian Rug CleaningEllen Amirkhan and Robert Mann are truly world class individuals who love this industry and are working hard to help others continue to grow their own passion for rugs.
Jordan King, Oriental Rug Cleaning of IndianapolisDon't miss out on this course! It will only be available every other year, you don't want to spend the next 2 years wishing you would've jumped on board sooner!
2024/11 - Turkey Journey
Regular price $3,600.00
Date: November 1–16, 2024
Location: Turkey
IICRC Continuing Education: 14 credit hours
Fill out form at bottom of page and please call Ann Marie Thompson at 503-949-9700 for payment
If you have any questions, please contact info@rugcarespecialists.org.
Member Price:
Single Occupancy = $3,600
Double Occupancy = $3,200 per person
Non-member Price:
Single Occupancy = $4,000
Double Occupancy = $3,600 per person
Deposit is 1/2 the price due upon signup, non-refundable. Final payment is due September 30th. Join ARCS November 1st - 16th, 2024 for a dream trip to Turkey!
November 1st –Friday Depart US. Direct flights on THY (Turkish Airlines) leave from twelve major US cities late day on Friday. November 2nd -Saturday arriving in Istanbul afternoon, non-stop. THY is a great airline and a Star alliance member if you have miles.
Roundtrip airfare to Turkey is not included with registration fee.
Additional Details:
- Great food, wonderful people, beautiful fall weather.
- Immerse yourself in Turkish culture while visiting big cities, small mountain villages, ancient ruins, and busy markets. Enjoy a guided tour through Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Usak, - Konya, and the old city, beaches, and Greek ruins of Antalya.
- Private tours of rug washing and ‘antiquing’ plants, restoration facilities, rug museums, collectors, dealers, and an ongoing discussion of the rug industry as it is today with the people in that industry.
- Just enough driving so we can see some beautiful scenery; not too much time in busses.
November 1st-Friday – Depart US. Direct flights on THY (Turkish Airlines) leave from twelve major US cities late day on Friday. November 2nd -Saturday arriving in Istanbul afternoon, non-stop. THY is a great airline and a Star alliance member if you have miles.
Roundtrip airfare to Turkey is not included with registration fee.
Connecting through Europe works too; check out SunExpress ( a joint venture of Lufthansa and THY) with low cost frights from many major European cities to Istanbul.
Istanbul: 4 nights, Top Kapi Museum (Imperial Palace), Archeological Museum, Museum of Turkish Culture, Covered Bazaar, Spice market, Mosques, boat rides, great restaurants – both simple and elegant – and much more. Istanbul is a world class city, population 14 million, established over 3000 years ago.
Bursa: 1 night. We will take the ferry across from Istanbul to the original Ottoman capitol. Markets mosques, sights.
Izmir: 2 nights. We will visit the Antique Textile Conservation facility, the new Arkas rug museum, Ancient ruins, and have dinner overlooking the harbor at a really good fish place.
Usak: 1 nights. Touring rug washing and rug antiquing facility. Weaving workshops, a patchwork rug workshop (place your custom orders if you wish) and reviewing a large pile of wholesale rug offerings.
Konya: 2 nights. Konya is an old silk road city. Visit local rug producers wash plant and warehouses. Mevlana museum and tomb, walk the old city. A conservative and religious city it is a marked contrast to where we will have been. Drive through the Toros mountains to our final destination on the Southern Coast.
Antalya/Kemer: 4 nights. Pebble beaches with water that might be warm enough if you are brave (the hotel pools are heated!). We’ll stay at a beach resort hotel with sea and mountain views in the small coastal city of Kemer ,40 minutes from Antalya. Lots of options; Greek and Roman ruins, Antalya old city, mountain walking, boat trips, hanging by the pool, great food, and much more.
November 16th - Fly out of Antalya. Antalya has connections to Istanbul and also to many European cities (Frankfurt/Munich).
Space is limited, Reserve your spot now!
Registration includes lodging, meals (no alcohol), site admission(s) and travel within Turkey.
Registration is double occupancy, single occupancy is an additional fee. Roundtrip airfare to Turkey is not included with registration fee, however group travel will be arranged from Chicago to Istanbul for those interested.
"Several ARCS members recently had the opportunity to tour the beautiful country of Turkey. This trip was slated to be fast-paced and filled with interesting sights, people and amazing rug industry content. I am happy to report it did not disappoint.
Our trip began in Istanbul which was chock-full of rich history and culture. We toured some amazing sights such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Suleymaniye Mosque. While in Istanbul, we were able to view some wonderful carpet museums with massive collections of some of the world’s oldest & best carpets. The city and people were welcoming, and the hospitality was unmatched.
Next, we departed for Izmir, where our group had the chance to spend some time at ATC (Antique Textile Conservation). ATC is the premier facility for textile restoration work and the breadth of their knowledge is impressive. All kinds of textiles can be found here from important European tapestries to world-class carpets, and even Navajo textiles of the American Southwest. They are being expertly restored at this facility. Our group had the honor of welcoming Ahmet Opcin, one of the owners of ATC, who joined us for the remainder of our time in Turkey. Ahmet was extremely gracious with his time and was an excellent guide. The trip would not have been the same without him and it was such a pleasure to meet him.
While in Izmir we toured the ruins of Ephesus, visited local rug washing facilities, and were welcomed into the manufacturing plant of Ergin Makina. They manufacture equipment for rug washing and were gracious hosts. Our group also had the chance to tour Can Carpet where we saw natural dying of wool & carpet weaving.
Our trip continued to more central Turkey to the cities of Kayseri & Konya. We stayed in the quaint village of Guzelyurt. Here we spent a few nights in rustic bed & breakfasts. The families that operated these homes were unbelievably welcoming and hospitable towards our group. While in this region of Turkey, some of us took the opportunity to enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon tour of the beautiful Cappadocia area; it was quite breathtaking.
In Aksaray, we toured a large wool processing plant that produces machine-spun wool. We were also welcomed into many rug galleries in this same area, where many from the group were able to purchase rugs for their homes and retail businesses.
One highlight was spending some time in Sultanhani which houses the largest Caravanserai in Turkey. The caravanserai served as a roadside inn for ancient travelers and is a great example of 13th century Seljuk architecture. Our group was welcomed to Sultanhani by none other than the mayor himself, Fahri Solak, who also happens to be in the rug business. Our entire group of 18 were welcomed into his office for tea and a generous gift. We toured Fahri’s rug repair workshop & gallery as well as a carpet weaving facility down the street from his office.
At the end of our trip in Kayseri, we had a chance to visit 3 homes of kilim weavers. These women were so gracious, allowing our large group into their homes to see them working. The small looms were set up in family rooms & balconies. It was quite the experience.
Overall, the kindness of the people and sights in Turkey were excellent. The amount of rug industry content was truly spectacular. Many thanks to ATC, Ahmet Opcin, & Robert Mann for making this a trip of a lifetime. I look forward to the next one!"
-Jordan King
Oriental Rug Cleaning
"The ARCS trip to Turkey was one of the best trips of my life. I have traveled most of my life to a wide variety of places and Turkey jumped to my top 5 pretty early on the trip. The sights, sounds, culture, and food of Turkey were enough to make for an incredible trip, but the industry knowledge made it all the better. After being in the rug cleaning industry for 9 years, there is a certain amount of knowledge that one gain from working, classes and conventions, but my understanding of some of the finer points of rugs came through this trip. We were able to watch wool processing, wool dying, rug weaving and knotting, a number of finishing and distressing processes. We were invited into the premier rug and tapestry restoration facility in the world, ATC, where we watched the masters working their crafts. We wheeled and dealt with rug vendors and a rug auction. The information gained on this trip cannot be measured. The other excellent part of the trip was the interesting group of people we traveled with. Everyone was incredibly kind and getting to know everyone made the trip really great. I look forward to the next one!"
-Jennifer Colaco
Oriental Rug Cleaning Co.
Dallas, Texas
"The 2019 ARCS Turkey Trip was a once in a lifetime experience. We loved the tourist hot spots that everyone loves to see. However; the more exciting part of the trip was having the opportunity to venture off the beaten path and experience things and meet people that you wouldn’t be able to experience otherwise. We thoroughly enjoyed the culture and the people as we traveled across the whole country. The memories made in Turkey will last a lifetime and the relationships that were built will have a lasting effect for years to come. If I were given the opportunity to visit a second time I wouldn’t hesitate to experience it all over again."
-Aaron Glazier
Rug Manager
Certified Clean Care
Please call Ann Marie Thompson at 503-949-9700 to arrange payment after filling out this form
2024/06 Discover Rug Cleaning (Knoxville, TN)
Regular price $250.00Date: RESCHEDULING - TBD
Location: Carr's Rug Cleaning
Instructor: Kyle Kluth
IICRC Continuing Education: 7 credit hours
Pricing: Member Price: $250; Non-member Price: $250
Founded by Bob Carr, Carr's Rug Cleaning has been a leader in the textile cleaning industry since 1984. We were the first in Knoxville to become Certified Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning technicians as well as the first Certified Rug Specialist in the state of Tennessee. We place a huge emphasis on training and education in rug and carpet cleaning, doing our best to stay up to date on the most advanced cleaning techniques. We do not use a one-size-fits-all approach for our services. With meticulous attention to detail, we employ the best methods and professional cleaning agents for your particular fabric, stone, or hardwood floor, and their specific issues.
carrsrugcleaning.com
Red Roof Inn
1315 Kirby Rd
Knoxville, TN 37909
Half Mile Further:
Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, and a Courtyard by Marriott
2024/04 - ARCS Annual Convention 2024 (San Diego, CA)
Regular price $950.00Date: April 17 to April 20, 2024
Location: San Diego, CA
Price: Member $950; $750 for each additional person - One Day Guest Pass $475; Optional Saturday Tour-TBA
IICRC Continuing Education: 14 credit hours
If you have any questions, please contact info@rugcarespecialists.org.
- Wednesday, April 17, 2024
- Registration
- Welcome Happy Hour: Lobby Lounge (cash bar)
- Dinner on your own
- Thursday, April 18, 2024
- Welcome and overview of the day by ARCS President
- Annual Meeting – Recap of the past year and projects in the works by ARCS Board of Directors
- Presentation of CRS Recipients
- Generational Transitions - Mike Jensen & Kash Sobhe will share how their companies transitioned from one generation to the next followed by a Q & A.
- Capital Improvements – Capital improvements are necessary on every scale. Trent Woods of Stanley Steemer will discuss how their locations decide on machinery, wash plant lay outs, etc. and what is met with resistance versus what is accepted with ease.
- Importance of Intake Photos - Presentation by Ellen Amirkhan
- Ask The Expert Panel - 1.5 hour panel of some of our favorite seasoned rug cleaners will answer all of our questions!
- Keynote Speaker- James Evanow
- Closing Comments & instructions for following day – ARCS President
- Dinner on your own
- Friday, April 19, 2024
- Rug Renew
- Blatchford’s San Diego Rug Cleaning & Repair
- Prospect Rug Gallery
- Saturday, April 20, 2024
- Tour (optional)
Aaron Glazier - President
Certified Clean Care
www.certifiedcleancare.com
Aaron has been with Certified Clean Care since 2013 and is currently the Rug Shop Manager. In that timeframe he has completed his degree with a Bachelor’s in Business Management. Got married to his bride in 2015 and recently just had his first child on Valentine’s day of this year. He completed the Master Rug Cleaner course in 2018 and has been a member of ARCS for several years now. He enjoys smoking BBQ in his off time and travels every chance he gets.
Mike Jensen
Star Rug Cleaners
www.starrugcleaners.com
Mike bought Star Rug Cleaners in 2012 from his dad when he was 25. However, Mike started working odd jobs, pickups and deliveries for him when he was in elementary school. After a short stint working at a local grocery store in Santa Barbara, Mike returned to Star Rug Cleaners managing the office while attending college. During this time he turned his focus to education on rug ID and the cleaning process. It wasn’t until after Mike attended his first ARCS convention in Austin that he realized how much he still had to learn. Since then, their process has changed dramatically and Mike attributes the growth in revenue to the continuous improvement of the end product. The friends made and conversations had as a member of ARCS has been instrumental to the growth of Mike’s rug knowledge and company.
Kash Sobhe
Rug Ideas
www.rugideas.com
Kash Sobhe; is a 3rd generation rug expert. His late grandfather started their family business in Iran in 1953, over 66 years ago. His father, Dr. Kay, is a second-generation rug expert with over 50 years of dedication to the industry. Kash and his family moved to the U.S. about 16 years ago where they decided to continue their passion for rugs in Los Angeles. As the first and only Certified Master Rug Cleaner in the entire greater Los Angeles area, Kash is also a WoolSafe Certified Fiber Care Specialist and a Certified Color Restoration Specialist. He has grown up caring for rugs and will continue the family business. He graduated in Business Marketing from California State University Northridge.
Trent Woods - Secretary
Stanley Steemer
www.stanleysteemer.com
Trent is a 2010 graduate from the University of Akron. He began his career in 2012 as a carpet cleaning technician with Stanley Steemer. After working as a cleaning technician, he worked in the air duct cleaning division and water restoration department before being promoted to run the new area rug plant facility in Columbus, OH. Trent’s passion for area rugs quickly grew and was promoted to do what he loves at a national level within the company. He currently oversees several facilities across the country within the corporate and franchise system. He helps with the setup of plant facilities, training technicians and is constantly improving the area rug cleaning division. Trent looks forward to working with some of the best leaders in the rug cleaning industry and taking the next step with the Association of Rug Care Specialists.
Ellen Amirkhan
Oriental Rug Cleaning Co
www.dallasrugcleaner.com
Since 1980, Ellen Amirkhan has served as president of Oriental Rug Cleaning Co. in Dallas, Texas, a business started by her grandfather in 1911 that specializes in cleaning, repairing, appraising and selling oriental rugs. A Past President of RIA, Ellen holds the designations of Certified Rug Specialist and Certified Oriental Rug Appraiser through the International Society of Appraisers. She is a co-developer of the Master Rug Cleaner Program, co-author of A Comprehensive Guide to Oriental and Specialty Rug Cleaning and serves as an expert witness for the legal profession.
James Evanow, Keynote Speaker
www.jamesevanow.com
Captain James Evanow is an international keynote speaker, trainer, and author. He also mentors select clients using his flagship program, “The 2 Degree Principle,” providing breakthrough mentoring in the areas of personal and business growth and development.
James is a multi-talented entrepreneurial businessman. With over 24 years of experience as a sea captain and his experience as a businessman, coach and keynote speaker, James is uniquely qualified to help individuals achieve their goals by transforming obstacles into opportunities.
In his keynote speeches and workshops James shares compelling stories from his years at sea and makes them relatable to the audience. His leadership skills mentoring crewmen and employees alike, sometimes in life or death situations, combined with his experience as an entrepreneur makes him a perfect candidate to teach others his learned lessons on how to navigate through turbulent times. His unique coaching style combines his passion, wit and humor delivering a presentation that inspires people to move towards their desired goals in business and in life. James enjoys working with CEO’s, entrepreneurs that are on their own journey, providing them with the tools that will help them stay on course and arrive at their destination or goal in an empowering way.
He has traveled throughout the United States and Canada, training on emotional intelligence, accountability, servant leadership, and creative leadership in over 80 cities. His coaching certification is through the organization Strategic Intervention which was founded collaboratively by Tony Robbins and Cloe Madanes, who is a world renowned psychologist. His passion for servant leadership and empowering others inspired him to write his first book, “Wisdom from the Sea,” which chronicles tales of adventure at sea in the context of leadership and self-development.
Servant Leadership- Servant Leadership is a powerful leadership style that can lead to greater employee satisfaction, stronger teams, and more sustainable organizations. The Captain’s experiences at sea embodies servant leadership and will show how it can affect your team and organization.
- Dave Nichols – Owner, Rug Renew
- Family Owned & Operated Rug Renew is a family owned and operated full-service area rug cleaning company specializing in hand washing and repairing all types of rugs. These include fine Oriental area rugs, Persian rugs, Tribal rugs, Navajo rugs, machine-made, and designer-commissioned custom-made pieces. Large or small, we clean them all! Formerly a division of Above & Beyond Carpet Care, Rug Renew has grown and emerged as an extremely successful stand-alone rug care center. Our only purpose is to provide the most advanced, safe, and comprehensive rug care possible in order to help extend the legacy of the rugs you love.
- Kate Blatchford and Lisa Wagner - Blatchford's San Diego Rug Cleaning Co
- Blatchford’s San Diego Rug Cleaning & Repair is a San Diego based business specializing in the care of antique, semi-antique and contemporary hand-woven textiles. Our craftsmanship of rug washing and hand repairing over the decades has built our reputation as one of the premier rug cleaning and repairing facilities in the United States. We are the most referred company for the cleaning and repair of oriental and specialty rugs in San Diego. Whether you have an investment textile, or a rug you fell in love with for your home, we care for your rugs just like our own. Come see for yourself that we are the ones to trust with the care of your favorite rugs.
- Prospect Rug Gallery - Shawn Bagheri
- Established in 1994, Prospect Rug Gallery is a family owned business, offering superior customer service and a vast collection of antique and new oriental rugs. We specialize in Persian, European, Indian, Turkish and Caucasian designs, offering clients, collectors and decorators choices such as Sarouks, Serapies, Agras, Mahals, Sultanabads, Oushaks, Kirmans, Keshans, Quashqais, Kazaks and more. These truly timeless treasures capture the beauty and elegance of the past.
2435 Jefferson Street San Diego, CA 92110
619-260-8500
www.Courtyard By Marriott
Room Rate: $219
Book your group rate for 2024 ARCS Annual Convention
2024/10 - Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning (Dallas, TX)
Regular price $1,800.00Date: October 2-4, 2024
Location: Oriental Rug Cleaning Co., Dallas, TX
IICRC Continuing Education: 12 credit hours
The class consists of three intensive eight-hour days taught primarily on the work floor of an operational wash plant. Topics covered will be cleaning chemistry, spotting, rug identification, learning to ‘read’ and identify rug construction, rug intake assessment, rug washing, drying theory, and finishing after wash. Hands-on portions of the class will demonstrate the practical application of all that theory on an active wash floor in real-time. The hands-on training will focus on wet cleaning; students will wash a lot of rugs and have the opportunity to try a range of techniques and observe the results. More than just an opportunity to work and learn on a high production wash floor, students will gain a broader understanding of the cleaning process and how it applies to their own businesses. The fee for the class includes lunch for the three days, handouts, and all teaching materials. A short test will be given at the end of the class session. You will need to bring wash boots.
The Tools of Rug Identification – Grouped in a linear and methodical progression, students learn how to read a rug’s construction to identify its origins. Material progresses from easily discernible traits to more nuanced variations using the most commonly encountered area rugs as teaching material. Students come away knowing the covered material as well as how to advance their skills outside of class.
Survey of hand-tufted, machine-made, and specialty rugs
Hand-knotted Rugs – a brief history, nomenclature and introduction to structure, the tools of rug ID
-
Persian rugs
-
Copies of Persian rugs
-
Designer rugs
-
Flat-weaves
Overview of Cleaning Process
-
Review of the steps in a “best practice” rug cleaning as outlined in ARCS’ Industry Guide & Recommended Practice for Rug Cleaning
Rug Intake
-
Pre-inspection and documentation, inventory control & prewash stabilization
About Rugs & Fibers
-
A review of the most commonly encountered rug fibers and construction techniques and what their implications are for the cleaning process.
About Soils & Cleaning
-
Review of the types of soils found in rugs. What are they? How do they accumulate?
Rug Washing
-
Getting our hands dirty cleaning the host plants inventory. Topics will include:
-
How to generate a cleaning plan
-
How all the host’s “toys” work and how to scale the operation up and down to meet the demands of each student
-
What to do if a rug starts to go south
-
Drying Theory
-
Discussion of drying theory and its effects on the cleaning process.
Results
-
Evaluating results and discussing the next steps. Discussion, how clean is clean enough? weighing risks vs rewards.
Finishing Processes
-
A survey of the non-wash processes that go into a rug cleaning
-
Grooming
-
Fringe Correction
-
Post-wash treatments
-
Cosmetic Touchups
-
-
Checkout procedures
-
Recording and reporting results
-
Spotting techniques
-
A discussion of the techniques for removing common spots such as rust, paint, wax, etc.
Discoloration Remediation
-
How the products work and how they differ from spotters.
-
Risks and how to manage them
-
Discussion and demonstrations of common applications and techniques
-
Urine Stain removal
-
Floor Stripping of Dye
-
Dry stripping of Dye
-
Review Test - Don’t worry, it isn’t graded
Armen Dohanian: is a fourth-generation rug cleaner. His family owns a 100 + year old rug cleaning and restoration business in Boston, Massachusetts. Involved in rug cleaning from an early age, Armen is currently vice-president of operations at the Oriental Rug Cleaning Company in Dallas, TX, a 103-year-old, “full-service” rug cleaning and restoration company. Mr. Dohanian is an ARCS Certified Rug Specialist (CRS), a certified Master Rug Cleaner, and a Woolsafe North America "Fiber Care Specialist" as well as a member of the International Society of Appraisers.
2024/10 Dye Stripping and Finishing Combo Class (Indianapolis, IN)
Regular price $2,200.00This class is full.
Date: October 9-11, 2024
Location: Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN
Instructors: Andrija Malbasa
IICRC Continuing Education: 12 credit hours
*Prerequisite Required: ARCS Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning or instructor-approved industry equivalent course
Andrija Malbasa will lead this intensive 3-day, hands-on rug washing and dye correction class including a full day spent on advanced rug spotting & finishing techniques used in top rug plants across the country.
This class introduces chemicals and techniques used to remove dye migration and stains commonly used in wash plants around the world, exploring with firsthand experiences, their benefits and learning to understand their limitations. Participants receive ample time to experience hands-on wash floor rug washing, dye stripping, fringe color correction, and urine stain removal with reducing agents and oxidizers. The third day we will spend time teaching to evaluate a rug’s ‘after wash’ condition and assess what final finishing procedures it takes to deliver top quality with your rug cleaning service! As a bonus, attendees leave with a Formulation Guide to the reducing and oxidizing products used during the event and a list of various suppliers to purchase from
Andrija was born and raised in Croatia. With the civil war in the 1990s his family fled to Serbia and later in 2000 immigrated to the United States. He worked as a sales floor manager at Target prior to joining Robert Mann Rugs in 2004. While he began as a driver, he helped with a variety of tasks around the facility. Showing an ability to quickly pick up different skill sets he was later asked to stay at the shop where he has learned and refined multiple skills, washing, finishing, and blocking rugs, finely rising to the level of Operations and Quality Control Manager. He has enjoyed working with Robert on a variety of projects over the years for private collectors and museums, expanding his knowledge of oriental rugs and Navajos.
2024/11 Discover Rug Cleaning (Palm Desert, CA)
Regular price $250.00Date: November 2, 2024
Location: The Rug Salon by Spot Out, Inc Palm Desert, CA
Instructor: Joshua and Connie Klopfenstein
IICRC Continuing Education: 7 credit hours
Pricing: Member Price: $250; Non-member Price: $250
The Rug Salon by Spot Out, Inc. is Coachella Valley’s premier state of the art rug washing facility. Located in Palm Desert, CA, The Rug Salon has been cleaning area rugs and high-end upholstery in our cleaning facility since 2014. During this class you will have the opportunity to put on your wash boots and see how to wash rugs. Whether you’re just starting out with very little equipment, or you are a little more seasoned and want to see how to use a tumble duster, wash tub and centrifuge, this class has something for everyone. All skill levels are welcome. This is a great opportunity to see how a medium sized rug plant runs and operates. The Rug Salon has two Master Rug Cleaner certified staff members as well as the areas only Certified Rug Specialist. This is a hands on class so, BYOB (bring your own boots) and come see what rug washing is all about.
Lunch, drinks and snacks are included!
74777 Technology Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92211
2023/07 Discover Rug Cleaning (Wake Forest, NC)
Regular price $250.00Date: July 22, 2023
Location: Pettyjohn's Cleaning & Restoration of Raleigh NC
IICRC Continuing Education: 7 credit hours
Pricing: Member Price: $250; Non-member Price: $250
Are you fascinated by the art of rug cleaning? Do you dream of owning your own rug washing business? Look no further! We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming "Discover Rug Cleaning" event, where you can dive deep into the world of rug washing and decide if this industry is the perfect fit for you. Mark your calendars for an exciting day on July 22nd, 2023, at Pettyjohn's Rug Cleaning & Restoration in Wake Forest, NC.
Specialized Rug Washing Equipment Showcase: At this exclusive event, we are proud to present state-of-the-art rug washing equipment that will revolutionize the way you clean and restore rugs. Witness the power of cutting-edge technologies that effortlessly remove dirt, stains, and odors, leaving your rugs looking vibrant and fresh.
Our showcased equipment includes:
- Advanced Rug Cleaning Tools: Experience the efficiency and effectiveness of our high-performance rug cleaning machines. Designed with precision and incorporating the latest advancements, these machines offer superior cleaning capabilities, ensuring remarkable results for even the most delicate rugs.
- Specialized Cleaning Solutions: Discover our range of specially formulated cleaning solutions, tailored to address various rug types and their unique cleaning requirements. Witness the transformative power of these solutions as they revitalize rugs and bring out their natural beauty.
- Drying and Finishing Techniques: Learn about our cutting-edge drying and finishing techniques that guarantee fast and thorough drying, while preserving the integrity of the rug fibers. Our experts will demonstrate the importance of proper rug drying methods to prevent mold, mildew, and other potential damages.
- Knowledgeable, Compassionate Rug Washing Technicians: The most important piece of equipment in your shop is a thinking technician. As exciting as big equipment can be, having fully engaged staff in your shop will make all the difference in the world for your clients' experience!
Your Chance to Get Involved: This event is not just an opportunity to witness the marvels of rug washing technology; it's a chance to explore a promising career path. We believe in nurturing talent and supporting aspiring rug cleaning entrepreneurs. Whether you're a seasoned professional looking to expand your business or an individual considering a career change, this event will provide invaluable insights and help you make an informed decision.
During the event, you can:
🔹 Engage with Industry Experts: Our team of experienced rug cleaning professionals will be on-site, eager to share their knowledge and answer your questions. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain insights from industry experts who have successfully navigated the rug washing business.
🔹 Hands-on Demonstrations: Roll up your sleeves and get your hands wet! Participate in our interactive rug cleaning demonstrations and experience the satisfaction of transforming a dirty, tired rug into a vibrant masterpiece. Witness firsthand the remarkable results that can be achieved with the right techniques and equipment.
🔹 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for rug cleaning. Exchange ideas, discuss industry trends, and potentially form valuable partnerships that can propel your rug washing endeavors forward.
🔹 Reserve Your Spot: Spaces for this exclusive event are limited, so make sure to secure your spot early!. We encourage you to bring your enthusiasm, curiosity, and an open mind as we explore the possibilities of the rug washing industry together.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to "get your feet wet" and discover if the rug washing industry is the right path for you. Join us on July 22, 2023, at Pettyjohn's Rug Cleaning located at 1905-101 South Main Street, Wake Forest NC 27587 for an enlightening and inspiring day filled with rug cleaning insights and cutting-edge technology!
We look forward to welcoming you to the "Discover Rug Cleaning" event and helping you embark on a rewarding journey in the world of rug washing.
Lunch, drinks, and snacks are included!
11400 Common Oaks Dr. Suite D, Raleigh, NC 27614
2023/09 Discover Rug Cleaning (Rochester, NY)
Regular price $250.00Date: September 30, 2023
Location: Pinnacle Eco Clean, Inc. Rochester, NY
Instructor: Kyle Kluth
IICRC Continuing Education: 7 credit hours
Pricing: Member Price: $250; Non-member Price: $250
At their 3,000 square foot rug washing facility located just outside of Rochester, New York, the technicians at Pinnacle Eco Clean have been successfully cleaning all sorts of textiles from around the world! Pinnacle utilizes many of the highest quality machines and devices to assist in their rug washing process, along with specially selected chemistry to deliver the best results possible in an eco-friendly manner. Their background in the cleaning industry with cleaning carpets, upholstery, and all types of hard surface flooring gave them a competitive and technological edge when they decided to take on rug washing. In the business for over 40 years, their education and insight is unmatched in their area. From rug check-in to dusting, washing to putting the final finishing touches on their clients’ rugs, each technician takes pride in what they do, making sure that the finished result is the best it could possibly be. Lunch, drinks and snacks are included!
280 Clay Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
2023/10 Discover Rug Cleaning (Olathe, KS)
Regular price $250.00Date: October 21, 2023
Location: Kansas City Rug Cleaning and Repair
Instructor: Jordan King
IICRC Continuing Education: 7 credit hours
Pricing: Member Price: $250; Non-member Price: $250
Kansas City Rug Cleaning and Repair is a medium-sized washing operation that began professionally cleaning rugs in 2014. Get up and close and personal with using a tumble duster, centrifuge, electric hanging tower & hands-on washing on the wash floor. See what cleaning rugs in a medium-sized rug cleaning business really looks like! Lunch, drinks and snacks are included!
2070 S. Strang Line Road, Olathe, KS 66062
19353 W 151st Terrace, Olathe, KS 66061
Click here to make your room reservations online now
2023/04 - ARCS Annual Convention 2023 (Dallas, TX)
Regular price $950.00Date: April 19 to April 21, 2023
Location: Dallas, TX
Price: Non-Member $950; One Day Guest Pass $350; Optional Saturday Tour-TBA
IICRC Continuing Education: 14 credit hours
If you have any questions, please contact info@rugcarespecialists.org.
- Wednesday, April 19, 2023
- Registration
- Welcome Happy Hour: Lobby Lounge (cash bar)
- Dinner on your own
- Thursday, April 20, 2023
- Headshots - We are excited to offer professional headshots free of charge at this year’s convention! A professional photographer will be set up Thursday morning to take your updated photo. Sign up with Jennifer Colaco (jennifer@dallasrugcleaner.com) to take advantage of this great opportunity!
- Annual ARCS Meeting - Overview of the last year of events, classes, how we are doing financially, thank you to our board members leaving, and the introduction of our new board members and officers.
- Capital Improvements Panel – Both big and small changes around your wash plant can impact your processes, your finished product and your team. This panel discusses some of the changes made to their facilities including an overview of each project, the cost (both expected and unexpected), the highs, the lows and was it worth it!
- The Power of Your People – The people answering your phones are either instilling confidence or deterring your customers. How do you convert a lead to a sale? How do you turn a price inquiry into a scheduled pick-up? This talk will cover the importance of the people on your front lines and how they impact your bottom line.
- Tangible Marketing - Modern marketing can be incredibly overwhelming. EJ from Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis will help simplify this new age of marketing and offer tangible marketing with social media, short videos, text messaging, and more to gain leads, stay relevant, and in the customer's mind.
- The Holistic Art of Diné Weaving - The Holistic art of Diné (Navajo) weaving of the T ł 'ízí lání (Manygoats) Clan, Roy will share the traditional processes of weaving, its traditional methods/uses, and its future of how it continues to evolve. Roy will bring some samples of his family's weavings and his weaving to show the different design elements and their meanings, he will also have a 30-minute showing of the documentary of the Navajo-Churro sheep that he raised titled "A Gift From Talking God", also some slide presentation of his past and current works. He will share appropriate seasonal family stories of how Spiderman gifted his counterpart Spiderwoman how to weave on an upright loom, thus sharing the untold stories of the Male weavers and their role in continuing the evolution of Diné/Navajo Weaving in his family and through the Navajo Nation.
- Ownership & Transitions – Owning and running a rug cleaning plant are not for the faint of heart. Join us as James Kruse talks about the process of buying DA Burns (Seattle, WA) and what has surprised him along the way.
- Roundtable Discussion – Get together in small groups with your fellow rug cleaners to discuss a range of relevant topics. We will then join back as a big group and discuss our most interesting finds.
- Dinner on your own
- Friday, April 21, 2023
- Dalworth Rug Cleaning
- Stanley Steemer - TBD
- Oriental Rug Cleaning Co.
- Saturday, April 22, 2023
- Tour (optional)
James Kruse - Ownership & Transitions
James Kruse is the Owner, President, & CEO of D.A. Burns & Sons, the largest rug cleaning company in the state of Washington. An Aerospace Engineer by training, he started his career with Boeing in 2009. He later earned his MBA from I.E. Business School in Madrid, Spain, before joining a leadership development program at oil conglomerate BP. There he held a variety of roles ranging from Strategy to Retail Operations to Mergers & Acquisitions. Growing up in a family of small business owners in rural Illinois, James always knew he wanted to run his own company someday. In business school he was intrigued by a concept called “Entrepreneurship through Acquisition”, which led him to launch a Search Fund (HSX Ventures) in 2020, and ultimately resulted in acquiring D.A. Burns & Sons from the Dix family in June of 2021. James and his wife Rachael live in Tacoma, WA, with their three small children ages 6, 4, & almost 2. “Spare time” is rare, but he enjoys skiing, SCUBA diving, & fly fishing.
Zac Garside - The Power of Your People
Zac Garside is the CEO of Power Selling Pros and the host of This Call May Be Recorded, the weekly show where he listens to recorded customer service phone calls and coaches them up! A believer in the power of a well-asked question and well-told stories, Zac shows up every day with the belief that you don't have to be smart enough to manipulate people, you have to be sincere enough to move them. In the last 7 years, Zac has been a customer service coach, salesman, Head of Marketing, and now the CEO of the company where contractors turn their customer service department into a profit center.
Jordan King & EJ Marcus - Supercharge Your Sales Process!
Jordan attended Purdue University with a focus on Organizational Leadership & Supervision. He is the owner & Chief Operations Officer of Sani-Bright & Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis. His companies specialize in on-location carpet, upholstery, & hard surface cleaning as well as in-plant cleaning, repair, and appraisal of oriental and area rugs. Since 2019, Jordan has owned & operated MasterBlend, a premier manufacturer of specialty cleaning products for the cleaning & restoration industry. Jordan has served as secretary and general board member for the Association of Rug Care Specialists since 2018 - providing teaching and education to others in the industry through classes hosted by ARCS and MasterBlend, helping to advance the care and science of rug cleaning.
EJ Marcus graduated from Mercy College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Arts & Design in 2016. Since then, he has worked for design agencies where he has held many roles – photographer, videographer, 3D modeler, motion graphics, web & graphics design, social media management, as well as real-world marketing experience for service companies. From products like children’s toys to kitchen appliances, for brands like Realtree to Lamborghini – EJ has had his hand in all aspects of design & marketing. He currently is on staff with Xenia Hill, owned by Jordan & Tom King, as the Communications Coordinator across their family of brands.
Roy Kady
If there is a “man for all seasons” among contemporary Diné (Navajo), Roy Kady might be that man. Kady is a well-established sheep herder and a male weaver residing in the community of Goats Spring on the outskirts of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, and a sort of Mecca for sheep herders and Diné (Navajo) weavers. Serious sheep herding and weaving/fiber arts reappeared for Roy in 1985. Traditional designs are important to him, and he considers each rug a story and expression of feeling and inspirations. Time spent after his sheep and at the loom is spiritual for Roy, who weaves only when he feels inspired the rest of the time he is herding his sheep.
Some years ago, his elders declared him a Master Weaver and a Leader with a Blessing Way ceremony for beauty, balance and harmony. Roy’s outlook is broad and contemporary, the old and new woven into the fabric of his 44 years and going. “The Navajo rug is no longer just a blanket for wearing or a cover for the floor. It is now an art form to grace your wall,” Roy says proudly.
- Dalworth Rug Cleaning is a family owned and operated Oriental and specialty area rug cleaning company based in Euless, TX. Since 1976, they have been providing a variety of high-quality cleaning services, water and fire damage restoration services and home energy services to commercial and residential property owners in the Dallas-Fort Worth and North Texas area.
- Stanley Steemer Dallas - For over 75 years, Stanley Steemer has served homes and businesses across the country—trusted by generations to professionally clean carpet, upholstery, air ducts, and more. Since our first rug cleaning facility opened in 2015, our technicians have been providing specialized care for area rugs, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to deliver the most comprehensive clean a rug can receive. Today, Stanley Steemer operates area rug cleaning facilities in major markets nationwide, including branch locations in New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Dallas, Tampa, and our headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. We also operate franchise locations in San Diego, Charlotte, Orlando, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo.
- Oriental Rug Cleaning Co. – Since 1911, three generations of the Amirkhan family have served customers from Dallas and across the country. Our customers trust their oriental, area and specialty rugs to Oriental Rug Cleaning Co. for expert cleaning, repair services and customer care.
1201 Main Street Dallas, TX 75202
972-584-6650
westindallasdowntown.com
Room Rate: $186 + tax
Book your group rate for ARCS Annual Convention 2023
2023/05 - Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning (Athens, GA)
Regular price $975.00Date: May 9-11, 2023
Location: Certified Clean Care in Athens, GA
IICRC Continuing Education: 12 credit hours
The class consists of three intensive eight-hour days taught primarily on the work floor of an operational wash plant. Topics covered will be cleaning chemistry, spotting, rug identification, learning to ‘read’ and identify rug construction, rug intake assessment, rug washing, drying theory, and finishing after wash. Hands-on portions of the class will demonstrate the practical application of all that theory on an active wash floor in real-time. The hands-on training will focus on wet cleaning; students will wash a lot of rugs and have the opportunity to try a range of techniques and observe the results. More than just an opportunity to work and learn on a high production wash floor, students will gain a broader understanding of the cleaning process and how it applies to their own businesses. The fee for the class includes lunch for the three days, handouts, and all teaching materials. A short test will be given at the end of the class session. You will need to bring wash boots.
For safety and accordance with the CDC health guidelines, a mask will be required and social distancing will be practiced for all live events.
If you have any questions, please contact info@rugcarespecialists.org.
The Tools of Rug Identification – Grouped in a linear and methodical progression, students learn how to read a rug’s construction to identify its origins. Material progresses from easily discernible traits to more nuanced variations using the most commonly encountered area rugs as teaching material. Students come away knowing the covered material as well as how to advance their skills outside of class.
Survey of hand-tufted, machine-made, and specialty rugs
Hand-knotted Rugs – a brief history, nomenclature and introduction to structure, the tools of rug ID
-
Persian rugs
-
Copies of Persian rugs
-
Designer rugs
-
Flat-weaves
Overview of Cleaning Process
-
Review of the steps in a “best practice” rug cleaning as outlined in ARCS’ Industry Guide & Recommended Practice for Rug Cleaning
Rug Intake
-
Pre-inspection and documentation, inventory control & prewash stabilization
About Rugs & Fibers
-
A review of the most commonly encountered rug fibers and construction techniques and what their implications are for the cleaning process.
About Soils & Cleaning
-
Review of the types of soils found in rugs What are they? How do they accumulate?
Rug Washing
-
Getting our hands dirty cleaning the host plants inventory. Topics will include:
-
How to generate a cleaning plan
-
How all the host’s “toys” work and how to scale the operation up and down to meet the demands of each student
-
What to do if a rug starts to go south
-
Drying Theory
-
Discussion of drying theory and its effects on the cleaning process.
Results
-
Evaluating results and discussing the next steps. Discussion, how clean is clean enough? weighing risks vs rewards.
Finishing Processes
-
A survey of the non-wash processes that go into a rug cleaning
-
Grooming
-
Fringe Correction
-
Post-wash treatments
-
Cosmetic Touchups
-
-
Checkout procedures
-
Recording and reporting results
-
Spotting techniques
-
A discussion of the techniques for removing common spots such as rust, paint, wax, etc.
Discoloration Remediation
-
How the products work and how they differ from spotters.
-
Risks and how to manage them
-
Discussion and demonstrations of common applications and techniques
-
Urine Stain removal
-
Floor Stripping of Dye
-
Dry stripping of Dye
-
Review Test - Don’t worry, it isn’t graded
Armen Dohanian: is a fourth-generation rug cleaner. His family owns a 100 + year old rug cleaning and restoration business in Boston, Massachusetts. Involved in rug cleaning from an early age, Armen is currently vice¬-president of operations at the Oriental Rug Cleaning Company in Dallas, TX, a 103-year-old, “full¬-service” rug cleaning and restoration company. Mr. Dohanian is an ARCS Certified Rug Specialist (CRS), a certified Master Rug Cleaner, and a Woolsafe North America "Fiber Care Specialist" as well as a member of the International Society of Appraisers.
Certified Clean Care
ARCS’s “Practical Dye Removal for the Rug Washer” course is a good primer on a complex subject. Ben did a great job explaining the principals and practical application of the most commonly encountered bleaches used in our industry. Those applications were then demonstrated at work in multiple real-world scenarios, not just “ideal” situations. Balancing risk versus reward, Mr. Knause walked students through an experienced professional’s thought process and approach to each problem. Participants were then given ample opportunity to practice with each product under the watch of an experienced cleaner, allowing them to get a better handle on the use of each type of product. This class will shorten the learning curve of anyone getting into color correction and is a must-attend course for any experienced cleaner who wants to know more about the subject.
Armen Dohanian - Oriental Rug Cleaning Co.
2023/03 - Dye Strip/Finishing Combo Course (Indianapolis, IN) - FULL
Regular price $1,200.00Date: March 23-25, 2023
Location: Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN
Instructors: Jordan King & Andrija Malbasa
IICRC Continuing Education: 14 credit hours
*Prerequisite Required: ARCS Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning or instructor-approved industry equivalent course
Jordan King and Andrija Malbasa lead a two-day intensive, hands-on dye correction class and a one-day hands-on finishing class. This class introduces chemicals and techniques used to remove dye run and dye stains commonly used in wash plants around the world. Participants get ample time to experience wash floor stripping, spot dye removal, and fringe color correction with reducing agents and oxidizers. As a bonus, attendees leave with a general formulation guide to the products used during the event and a list of various suppliers. The third day is a hands-on course will teach you to evaluate a rug’s condition and assess what finishing procedures will make it look its best! Topics covered: Stain removal, Dry soil removal, Stretching and blocking, Grooming pile surfaces, Shearing, Fringe treatment, and Topical color-run treatments.
2022/11 - Rug Finishing Class (Denver, CO)
Regular price $650.00Date: November 2, 2022
Non-Member Price: $650.00
Instructor: Andrija Malbasa
IICRC Continuing Education: 7 credit hours
Rugs right out of the dry room are not ready for delivery. This one-day hands-on course will teach you to evaluate a rug’s condition and assess what finishing procedures will make it look its best! Topics covered: Stain removal, Dry soil removal, Stretching and blocking, Grooming pile surfaces, Shearing, Fringe treatment, and Topical color-run treatments Sign up today! Class is capped at 25 people!
View our upcoming Rug-A-Palooza course.
2022/11 - Rug-A-Palooza (Denver, CO)
Regular price $1,250.0025% off the second person, 50% off the third person
Location: Robert Mann Rugs in Denver, Colorado
Dates: November 3-5, 2022
IICRC Continuing Education: 14 credit hours
Rug Talk:
- November 3, 2022
- Knowledge is a powerful thing and there is a lot of history in rugs and rug cleaners. Spend the day listening to our excellent speakers: Ellen Amirkhan, Paul Iskyan, Michael Christie and Ted Mast.
Hands On Demonstration Day:
- November 4, 2022
- We’ll split into groups to rotate from hands on demonstrations station to station. Stations will include: rug check-in procedures, peroxide use on urine stains, tufted rug washing techniques, post cleaning treatments, and more!
- November 5, 2022
- There is no better way to learn something new in rug cleaning than getting your boots wet! We will have until early afternoon to be on Robert Mann’s wash floor! Join your fellow rug cleaners for a fun day of dusting, washing, and treating rugs!
Lunch, drinks and snacks are included each day!
https://www.rugcarespecialists.org/products/2022-11-non-member-rug-finishing-class-denver-co?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=webhttps://www.rugcarespecialists.org/products/2022-11-non-member-rug-finishing-class-denver-co?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=webhttps://www.rugcarespecialists.org/products/2022-11-non-member-rug-finishing-class-denver-co?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=webhttps://www.rugcarespecialists.org/products/2022-11-non-member-rug-finishing-class-denver-co?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=webhttps://www.rugcarespecialists.org/products/2022-11-non-member-rug-finishing-class-denver-co?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=webhttps://www.rugcarespecialists.org/products/2022-11-non-member-rug-finishing-class-denver-co?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web
Radisson Hotel Denver Central
4849 Bannock Street,
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 292-9500
Room Rates: $94 + tax
WIFI and Breakfast Included
Two Queen Beds or One King Bed
TED MAST
Thursday, Nov. 3, 9:00AM
Theodore (Ted) Mast has studied Near Eastern rugs, rug weaving cultures, collecting, and scholarship since 1979, and earned a Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania. He has curated exhibitions, including Highstyle to Homestyle at the Woodmere Art Museum in conjunction with the Philadelphia 1996 International Conference on Oriental Carpets. He has lectured, taught, and published widely, has advised museums, collectors, producers, and dealers, and is a contributor to Hali magazine. His presentation, The Rugs We Inherited, The Rugs We Created, recounts the evolution of the decorative rug market during the last century and will focus on examples typical of what ARCS members are likely to encounter.
Around 1900 there was a bifurcation within the sphere of Oriental rugs. Producers and dealers responded to the lucrative American market with large decorative rugs by standardizing designs, colors, and sizes that sold best. Harsh synthetic dyes replaced natural dyes to reduce costs, and machine-spun yarns became standard. Parallel to this was a small, dedicated number of scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts who believed the best rugs had already been woven, and rug weaving was in rapid decline. By comparison, new rugs had little more status than machine-made rugs, and in time, with rising costs of labor and materials and diminishing sales, the new rug market was approaching extinction. Yet a few aficionados realized that in a few rustic villages, the weaving quality was intact, but the use of synthetic dyes made their rugs virtually unsaleable. A German educator, Harald Boehmer, lead research in the ‘70s to rediscover the art of natural dyeing, and with cooperation with faculty members from the University of Marmara and the Turkish Department of Forestry, the natural dyeing project ( DOBAG) was initiated in 1982. Although their efforts were largely academic and intended to benefit village weavers, it inspired George Jevremovic, a Philadelphia-based dealer - turned producer, to develop the most artistic rugs of the century, and by the late ‘80s, had influenced rug producers throughout the world.
ELLEN AMIRKHAN: ARMENIAN SECRETS AND WHY YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW
Thursday, Nov. 3, 10:30AM
By the late 19th and early 20th century, many Armenian immigrants were engaged in rug sales, cleaning and repair, achieving near total domination of the oriental rug business. The making, selling and cleaning of oriental rugs was viewed as closely guarded secrets held by a few. Armenian rug cleaners invested tremendous amounts of time and money to learn their craft and naturally wanted to protects their interests. In order to understand this mindset, we have to understand where our forefathers came from and the unspeakable crimes against humanity that they witnessed and endured. Beyond the doom and gloom, growing up in an Armenian rug cleaning plant definitely had its eccentricities. You didn’t know any different so you thought it was normal. Learn to “keep your eye on the overhead”, the Armenian way.
ELLEN AMIRKHAN'S BIO
Since 1980, Ellen Amirkhan has served as president of Oriental Rug Cleaning Co. in Dallas, Texas, a business started by her grandfather in 1911 that specializes in cleaning, repairing, appraising and selling oriental rugs. A Past President of Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration, Ellen holds the designations of Certified Rug Specialist and ISA CAPP. She is a co-developer of the Master Rug Cleaner Program, co-author of A Comprehensive Guide to Oriental and Specialty Rug Cleaning and the video series Unraveling the Riddle of Rug Identification, and serves as an expert witness for the legal profession.
PAUL ISKYAN
Thursday, Nov. 3, 1:30PM
Paul Iskyan has been a Manhasset resident for 60 years. He attended St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset and went to Northeastern University in Boston MA on a full athletic scholarship to play ice hockey. At Northeastern Paul majored in Business Administration and graduated from Northeastern’s five year program in just four years. During his hockey playing days at Northeastern, his teams achieved two major accomplishments. In 1980 they were the first NU team to win the prestigious Beanpot Tournament, College hockey’s oldest and most coveted event. Then in 1982 the same NU team went to the NCAA final four and competed for the national championship in Division 1.
After graduating in 1982 Paul joined his family business and has worked for Rug Renovating (established in 1896) and is currently the President of the company. Rug Renovating is located in East Orange NJ and is the largest and one of most prestigious rug cleaning, repair and restoration organizations in the Country and employs 50 people. Paul has achieved the title of Certified Rug Specialist #55 as recognized by ARCS: Association of Rug Care Specialists.
In addition to running Rug Renovating, Paul also owns and operates a business that sells and installs window film as a certified 3M Prestige Dealer in the tristate area and employs 11 people. The name of the business is; TriState Sun Control Corp.
Finally, Paul is also involved in a startup company called; The Jox Company, which manufactures and sells Athletic and Medical core support compression shorts attached up a back-support belt. Paul and his partner currently hold 3 U.S. patents and international patents.
Paul lost his brother and seven friends in the 9/11/2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. Paul and a handful for friends started a very successful charity and named it Tuesday’s Children with the mission of helping the families who lost a parent on that fateful day. Paul has been an active board member, charity supporter and is the only remaining founder member on the Tuesday’s Children Board of Directors. Paul has worked with other non-profit organizations over the years but Tuesday’s Children holds a special place in his heart.
Paul is married to Pamela Iskyan for 34 years and they have two wonderful and successful children, Jacklyn and Samantha. When not working Paul enjoys playing ice hockey, golf, working out and spending time with friends and family.
MICHAEL CHRISTIE: THE RUGGIST
Thursday, Nov. 3, 3:00PM
Michael Christie is an internationally recognized hand-knotted rug and carpet aficionado, conceptualist, and commentator. A respected stalwart advocate of hand-knotted rugs and carpets, his stern and discerning critiques reflect adherence to quality, craftsmanship, and holistic sustainability as the foundation of a vibrant and prosperous carpet trade. Known widely as ‘The Ruggist’ his writings appear on his own website and social media channels, and in the past have appeared in COVER and HALI Magazines, ECS Nepal, Nepal Carpet Magazine, as well as Rug Insider Magazine; he likewise served as Editor of the latter from 2017 until 2020. Since 2018 he has served as the Brand Ambassador of Handmade Nepalese Carpets for the Nepal Carpet Manufacturer's and Exporter’s Association (NCMEA) and his ongoing fieldwork in the country of Nepal continues to foster both this work and a forward-looking perspective on adapting carpentry to the needs of this era and the future. Christie is also a novice weaver who has researched, designed and built his own upright looms, teaching himself the craft of carpentry in order to better understand the nature of weaving and the role individuals play in the commerce of luxury handicrafts.
@theruggist
TOM MONAHAN
Friday, Nov. 4, 8:30AM
1977 founded and operated a successful professional residential and commercial carpet & furniture cleaning service, water damage restoration company, and an in-plant rug washing business before selling them all 3-1/2 years ago. Operated all 42 years in Ann Arbor Michigan.
Additionally, during that era, I co-founded Centrum Force in 2007, followed by Centrum Force Fabrication in 2012. This allowed for building our own equipment in-house that year. We thus became a verticle company that designs, builds, and sells our own machines. Next, bought the MOR Time Saving Equipment in the summer of 2012. Since, have been servicing, supplying parts, refurbishing older machines, and producing new machines. MOR now celebrates 73 years of existence.
Since 2019, I have been the sole owner of all the Centrum companies and MOR Time Saving Equipment located in Michigan. I continue to teach and consult.
