Past Events

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2019/05 - Rug Repair Course (Portland, OR)
2019/05 - Rug Repair Course (Portland, OR)
from $975.00
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2019/05 - ARCS Annual Convention (Indianapolis, IN)
2019/05 - ARCS Annual Convention (Indianapolis, IN)
from $60.00
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2019/02 - Introduction to Rug Care, Spring (Online)
2019/02 - Introduction to Rug Care, Spring (Online)
$0.00
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2019/02 - Effective Communication for Rug Cleaners Course (Online)
2019/02 - Effective Communication for Rug Cleaners Course (Online)
$0.00
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2019/02 - CRS Course & Test (Dallas, TX)
2019/02 - CRS Course & Test (Dallas, TX)
$0.00
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2018/10 - Rug Summit 12 (Denver, CO)
2018/10 - Rug Summit 12 (Denver, CO)
$0.00
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2018/10 - BYOB Event (Denver, CO)
2018/10 - BYOB Event (Denver, CO)
$0.00
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2018/10 - ARCS Annual Skills Day (Denver, CO)
2018/10 - ARCS Annual Skills Day (Denver, CO)
$0.00
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2018/09 - The Experience Convention (Las Vegas, NV)
2018/09 - The Experience Convention (Las Vegas, NV)
$0.00
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2018/09 - Annual Convention (Seattle)
2018/09 - Annual Convention (Seattle)
$0.00
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2018/05 - Introduction to Rug Care (Online)
2018/05 - Introduction to Rug Care (Online)
$0.00
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2017/11 - Introduction to Rug Care (Online)
2017/11 - Introduction to Rug Care (Online)
$0.00
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2017/09 - Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning (Albuquerque, NM)
2017/09 - Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning (Albuquerque, NM)
$0.00
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2017/04 - ARCS Annual Convention (San Antonio, TX)
2017/04 - ARCS Annual Convention (San Antonio, TX)
$0.00
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2017/01 - ARCS Annual Skills Day (Las Vegas, NV)
2017/01 - ARCS Annual Skills Day (Las Vegas, NV)
$0.00
2019/05 - Rug Repair Course (Portland, OR)

2019/05 - Rug Repair Course (Portland, OR)

$975.00

Date:  May 17-18, 2019
Location: Portland, OR - Renaissance Rug Cleaning 

Member Price: $975; Non-member Price: $1800.



Feedback to come following event
Galleries to come following event

Randy and Val Hyde of Renaissance Rug Cleaning will teach this intense two day, hands-on repair class. They will take students through some of the most common repair techniques for cleaning businesses, including a variety of end and edge repairs, repairing splits, ways to hang rugs and more

The class consists of two intensive eight-hour days.  Fee for the class includes lunch for the two days, handouts, and all teaching materials.

Randy and Val Hyde of Renaissance Rug Cleaning
Portland, OR - Renaissance Rug Cleaning
Members will need to make own hotel registrations.
2019/05 - ARCS Annual Convention (Indianapolis, IN)

2019/05 - ARCS Annual Convention (Indianapolis, IN)

$650.00

Join us for our 9th Annual Convention in Indianapolis! This year’s conference is the premier rug care industry event and the perfect occasion to fine tune your rug cleaning business. We have an entire day focused on the business of rug cleaning—specifically, new rug trends and new strategies to increase revenue.

The second day is dedicated to touring three different rug cleaning facilities, all smaller in volume, incredibly successful and offering a variety of services. This conference is the best opportunity to network with the best and brightest rug cleaners from across the nation and find new and inventive ways to handle rug cleaning, customer care and find great business solutions.

Don’t miss this chance to advance your rug knowledge, make new connections, catch up with old friends and meet industry experts. We look forward to seeing you there!

IICRC Continuing Education: 12 credit hours

Feedback to come following event


May 1, Wednesday – Arrival - Registration and Cocktails in the Hotel Bar 5pm-7pm

5:00-7:00 p.m. Registration Desk, Lobby Foyer 
5:00-7:00 p.m. Welcome Cocktail Reception, Lobby Lounge

May 2, Thursday-Business Meeting

  • 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast - ( Meet and Greet your Associate members ), Regency Ballroom E
  • 9:00 a.m. Annual Board Meeting – Meg Walker, ARCS President, Regency Ballroom E
  • 9:30 a.m. Simple Ways to Increase Revenues- Jennifer Colaco, Oriental Rug Cleaning Co. Dallas, TX

Revenues got you down? Increase add on sales by training your team to look, listen and ask a few key questions." 

  • 10:00 a.m. Coffee Break
  • 10:15 a.m. Rug Cleaning Equipment: An American History Lesson- Tom Monahan, Centrum Force
  • 11:00 a.m. Associate Member Presentations
  • 11:30 a.m Hands on Shearing- Demonstration - Randy Hyde, Renaissance Rug Cleaning, Portland, OR

Interested in shearing, but not sure it’s worth the investment? Test out the Oster Hand Clippers!

  • 12:00 p.m. Lunch, Studio Lounge 
  • 1:00 p.m. Turkish Rug Production- Robert Mann, Robert Mann Rugs, Denver, CO
  • 1:45 p.m. Wholesale Rug Cleaning- Ellen Amirkhan, Oriental Rug Cleaning Co. Dallas, TX

Learn how the competition can work to increase your revenues by setting up a profitable wholesale rug cleaning program.

  • 2:30 p.m. Break
  • 2:45 p.m. Satellite Locations- Brian Hanna, Hagopian Rugs, Detroit, MI

With 8 drop off locations and several Dry Cleaning partners Hagopian has cornered the market!

  • 3:30 p.m. Slide Show - The worst rugs, issues, experiences
  • 4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks and Adjournment
  • 4:30 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting (Board members only) 

    Dinner on your own

May 3, Friday-Plant Tours

  • 9:00 a.m. Catch the Motor Coach to Heirloom 
  • 9:30 a.m. Tour Heirloom - Hosted by David Sweet
  • 11:30 a.m. Catch Motor Coach 
  • 12:00 p.m. Lunch 
  • 1:30 p.m. Catch Motor Coach to Lagenwalter 
  • 2:00 p.m. Tour Lagenwalter- Hosted by Mitch & Jennifer Mauck
  • 3:00 p.m. Catch Motor Coach to Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis
  • 3:30 p.m. Tour Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis- Hosted by Tom and Jordan King
  • 5:30 p.m. Catch Motor Coach to the hotel 

May 4, Saturday- (Optional Day)

  • 9:30 a.m. Meet in lobby - Walk over to Monument Circle
  • 10 a.m. Guided Walking Tour of Monument Circle (1 hour tour)
  • 12 noon Meet in lobby - Catch Motor Coach - Indy Brew Bus and lunch
  • 3 p.m.

Conference Ends... 
You are on your own. Indianapolis!

 

Megan Walker, ARCS President
Aladdin Cleaning & Restoration

Vice President of Aladdin Cleaning & Restoration in San Antonio, Texas. Upon graduation from Texas Christian University in 2004, Meg began her career at Aladdin in accounting, marketing and HR. In 2016 she graduated from the Master Rug Cleaner Program. Meg is the current President of the Board for the Association of Rug Care Specialists.

 

Tom Monahan-Rug Cleaning Equipment: An American History Lesson
www.centrumforce.com

Over 41 years in the business. In 1977 my cleaning companies were founded. I still continue to own and operate an on-location carpet and furniture cleaning service, along with an in-plant rug washing operation.
In 2007, my partner and I, Co-Founded Centrum Force. Centrum Force, as an international company, designs, builds and sells rug washing equipment for the industry. In 2012, our company purchased the world renown MOR Time Saving Company that has it’s beginning in 1949.
This acquisition secured Centrum Force as the #1 rug washing equipment manufacturer in the world.  My small company, Area Rug Cleaning Company, was privileged to be one of the founding members for the Association or Rug Care Specialists that launched in 2011.I.I.C.R.C. Master Textile CleanerMaster Rug Cleaning SpecialistThe last 11 years, I have been a consultant for setting up rug plants.


Jennifer Colaco-Simple Ways to Increase Revenues 
Oriental Rug Cleaning Co. Dallas, TX 
www.dallasrugcleaner.com

Jennifer joined Oriental Rug Cleaning in Dallas, Texas as office manager in 2010, becoming the fourth generation of her family to be involved in the flooring business. Prior to this, she worked in textile project management. Jennifer is Vice-President on the Association of Rug Care Specialist Board (ARCS), a Certified Rug Specialist, and Master Rug Cleaner.
A graduate of Texas A&M University, Jennifer and has spent the majority of her professional career interfacing with customers. Her focus on delivering excellent customer practices for her team led her to create and teach “Effective Communications for Rug Cleaners”, currently offered through ARCS.

Robert Mann-Turkish Rug Production, lead into Turkey Trip
Robert Mann
Robert Mann Rugs, Inc. 
www.mannrugs.com
In February of 1978, I began a career in the rug business as an apprentice restorer working for an Iranian man named Hamid Sharifzadeh.
I had travelled extensively in rug producing countries and somehow it all made senseWorking mostly for rug stores and dealers we did basic repairs. When rugs were too dirty to repair as is, we would clean them in the bath tub or out in the driveway. It was an exciting time.Based in Boulder, the business grew slowly. In January 1982 I opened a wash plant and restoration studio in a shop front at 32nd Avenue and Lowell in North Denver. I hired two employees.
In 1984 we moved to a large warehouse on Walnut Street, and moved again in 2009 to a bigger space on Race Ct. just north of the Denver Stockyards complex. With a staff of twenty we had become a small business.A Denver County plan to redevelop the Stock Yards has caused us to prepare for yet another move. In mid-2018 we will move into a new Denver facility near 56th and Pecos. Our new home will be a 24,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility for rug cleaning and restoration.

Randy Hyde-Hands-On Shearing Demonstration

Randy Hyde
Renaissance Rug Cleaning Inc.
www.renaissancerugs.com

Owner of Renaissance Rug Cleaning, Inc. established 1999 in Portland, Oregon. He started in the rug business with Atiyeh Brothers in the late 1980’s. In 1996 Randy accepted a job with rug dealer, author and tribal rug expert James Opie in part to manage the wash plant but also to sell rugs.
Randy purchased the cleaning end of the business in 1999 and changed the name to “Renaissance Rug Cleaning”. Today Renaissance provides cleaning and service to most of Portland’s dealers and collectors. From 2015-16 Randy served on the ARCS board of directors and as ARCS President from 2016- to April 2018.

Brian Hanna-Satellite Locations/Dry Cleaning Partners/Referral Partners
Hagopian Cleaning Services 
originalhagopian.com

Ellen Amirkhan-Wholesale Rug Cleaning

Ellen Amirkhan: 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.   

Heirloom Rug Cleaning

5858 Thunderbird Road
Indianapolis, IN 46236
317.723.8215
www.heirloomrugcleaning.com

Tour 5/3, 9:30am –11:30am

Langenwalter

4521 W. 99th St
Carmel, IN 46077
317.876.9944
www.any-spot.com

Tour 5/3 - 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Langenwalter has been in business since 1995. Serving over 25,000 residential and commercial customers we provide carpet cleaning, odor and stain removal, rug and upholstery cleaning as well as 24 hour emergency water restoration service. We are very excited to see everyone here in Indy this May!

Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis

4349 W. 96th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317.334.1910
www.Orientalrugcleaningindianapolis.com

Tour 5/3- 3:30pm -5: 30pm

Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis has been providing expert rug care to the Indianapolis area since 2008. Being a part of the family of brands, RG Decor & Sani-Bright, we offer our clients a broad range of products and services. From in-plant & on-location cleaning services to our 10,000 square foot retail showroom full of beautiful area rugs, flooring, custom furniture, & home decor. Through RG Decor we also offer complete design services with our degreed interior designers. We are excited to host ARCS Annual Convention attendees for an afternoon Garden Party and a complete tour of our service and retail facilities. We look forward to seeing all of you in Indianapolis!


Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Hyatt Regency Hotel
One South Capitol Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Visit Hotel Website

Make a reservation

Room Rate $169 + tax
1-888-591-1234
Hotel - Hyatt Regency Indianapolis - Book Now

2019/02 - Introduction to Rug Care, Spring (Online)

2019/02 - Introduction to Rug Care, Spring (Online)

$0.00

Date:  February 26th, 28th & March 5th, 7th 2019 
Time: 3 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. EST 
Location: Online

ARCS's Introduction to Rug Care course is designed to increase student’s knowledge at a fraction of the cost of other formal education programs. Geared towards employees and those new to the industry, the Introduction to Rug Care course gives students the information they need to make informed cleaning decisions and speak confidently with customers about the cleaning process.

Not simply an online textbook, this is a virtual class in every sense of the word. A live teacher guides a small group of students through the curriculum, answering student’s questions as they arise. Divided into four sessions lasting 80 minutes each, the cleaning process, rug fibers, basic cleaning chemistry and basic rug ID are all presented in ways that everyone can understand. A review test is sent following each session which students may use to evaluate their understanding of the material presented.

Member Price: $150; Non­member Price: $225

If you have any questions, please contact office@rugcarespecialists.org.

 

IICRC Continuing Education: 6 credit hours.



"The Intro to Rug Care Course is a great first step or next step to continuing your rug cleaning education. We have sent multiple employees through the course and it really helps with learning the basics of rug I.D. and terminology, cleaning chemistry, and covers fundamental problems that can be encountered in a rug washing business. Armen Dohanian does a great job delivering the content and is always helpful and receptive when questions from our students arose. Two of our employees have since taken more advanced ARCS courses and agree that without this intro course they would’ve been behind the 8-ball with the more advanced training courses. The online format provides a very simple, inexpensive way to get started with rug training for owners/managers and employees alike!"

-Jordan King 
Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis

None for this event.

The basic outline of the course is as follows.

Session One – The Cleaning Process

Reviews the basic steps in a “best­ practice” rug cleaning, why we do them and some of the most common prevailing methods in application today. While pros and cons of each method are discussed, editorial content is kept out.

  • Pre­-cleaning Inspection – Why some consider it the most important step in rug cleaning and some of the most common conditions encountered in area rugs.
  • Dry soil removal – Why it’s important and ways to do it.
  • Washing – From dry cleaning methods to full saturation washing. Each method is discussed covering the why and how as well as the pros and cons.
  • Drying – Surveying the most common methods in use today
  • Finishing processes – Grooming, browning correction, color correction, etc.

Session Two – Fibers and Chemistry

Covers the basics of the most common fibers and chemicals encountered in area rug care. Topics are discussed generically, avoiding favoritism and bias.

Fibers 
  • Wool – Why it is the most common rug fiber. How we go from sheep to rug yarn.
  • Cotton – Production and application
  • Silk – It’s advantages, disadvantages and production
  • Bast Fibers – production and uses
  • Plastics – Nylon, Olefin, etc.
  • Rayon – production and it’s many other names
Chemistry 
  • Soil – most common types, how they accumulate and implications for cleaning
  • Solvents – Polar and Non­-polar, volatile and non­volatile and applications for cleaning
    • Detergents – what they are and how they work
  • The PH scale – What it is, why it’s important and the general PH of specific substances
  • Sinner circle

Session Three – Rug ID – Tufted & Specialty Rugs

A general discussion of tufted rugs and their specific cleaning needs and concerns is followed by a survey of the most common types of tufted rugs encountered, how to identify them and their specific cleaning needs and concerns.  We finish covering the most common specialty rugs a cleaner will encounter.

  • Tufted rugs – What they are and how they differ from other area rugs
  • Tufted rugs made in China
  • Tufted rugs made in India
  • Custom­-tufted rugs
  • Machine­-tufted rugs
  • Specialty rugs – Skins, Shags, craft rugs, etc.

Session Four – Rug ID – Non-tufted rugs

Picks up where we left off. We start with Machine­-made rugs and cover how to tell them from hand­made rugs. While hand­made rug ID is not discussed, students are introduced to the basics of where they are made, different construction techniques and the terminology used, building a foundation for future classes.

  • Wilton construction – both traditional and face­-to­-face variants
  • Axminster – both tradition and the Karastan® variants
  • Hand­made – piled and non­-piled construction, terminology and how to tell them from machine­-made rugs

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.

None for this event.
Online event.
2019/02 - Effective Communication for Rug Cleaners Course (Online)

2019/02 - Effective Communication for Rug Cleaners Course (Online)

$0.00

Date: February 5 and 7, 2019  

Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST 
Location: Online

If you have any questions, please contact office@rugcarespecialists.org.

None for this course.

This class will cover all of the important steps that can make or break your customer experience:

  • Learn about your company and what you offer 
  • Elevator Pitch 
  • Common Pre-Inspection Conditions 
  • Terminology: How to Convey Technical Explanations in Layman’s Terms 
  • Help new customers navigate the rug cleaning process 
  • How to Make Repeat Customers Continue to Feel Valued 
  • THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCUMENTATION 
  • Managing Customer Expectations 
  • Dealing with Complaints 
  • Proper Phone Etiquette 
  • Proper In-Person Etiquette 
  • Inter-Office Communication

Jennifer Colaco: joined Oriental Rug Cleaning in Dallas, Texas as office manager in 2010, becoming the fourth generation of her family to be involved in the flooring business. Prior to this, she worked in textile project management. Jennifer is Vice-President on the Association of Rug Care Specialist Board (ARCS), a Certified Rug Specialist, and Master Rug Cleaner.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Jennifer and has spent the majority of her professional career interfacing with customers. Her focus on delivering excellent customer practices for her team led her to create and teach “Effective Communications for Rug Cleaners”, currently offered through ARCS.

None for this course.
None for this course.
2019/02 - CRS Course & Test (Dallas, TX)

2019/02 - CRS Course & Test (Dallas, TX)

$0.00

Date: February 18-23, 2019
Location: Dallas, TX, Class and test will be given at Oriental Rug Cleaning Co. 

The Certified Rug Specialist class is a four-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 with 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 exiting rug ID skills. Class fee includes four 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.

Cost: $3200, includes all lunches and a copy of A Comprehensive Guide to Oriental and Specialty Rug Cleaning

IICRC Continuing Education: 12 credit hours

  • Are you already a CRS and need a refresher course? Are you considering or curious about the program? Now you can audit the CRS Course. CRS Graduate - $150 per day, ARCS Member $200 per day and Non-members $500 per day.

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.
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.

 

Monday 
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 
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     
Countries Producing Oriental Rugs, con’t 
a)  Afghanistan 
b)  China 
c)  India 
d)  Pakistan 
e)  Romania 
f)  Tibetan 
g)  Turkish

THURSDAY 
Countries Producing Oriental Rugs, con’t   (if necessary) 
Caucasian and Navajo Rugs 
Hands-On Technical Analysis—divide into groups 
Appraisals—Power Point

FRIDAY                 
Review for written test 
Practice rug Identification in the plant with rugs not previously seen 
Mock Rug Identification test 
Questions, Answers, Problems

SATURDAY 
9AM-12PM 
Written test 
Hands-On Identification Test

Ellen Amirkhan: 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).

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.

None for this event.
None for this event.
2018/10 - Rug Summit 12 (Denver, CO)

2018/10 - Rug Summit 12 (Denver, CO)

$0.00

Date: October 17-18, 2018 
Location: Denver, CO

Centrum Force Rug Summits have become one of the favorite events of rug cleaning pros, both large and small. Why? Because, from their inception, they've been both highly informative yet informal and relaxed. This conference is for those that want to improve their business development and network with those that are willing to share their experience.

Agenda available at Centrum Force website.
Speakers available at Centrum Force website.
Members information available at Centrum Force website.
Hotel reservations information available at Centrum Force website.
2018/10 - BYOB Event (Denver, CO)

2018/10 - BYOB Event (Denver, CO)

$0.00

Date: October 20th, 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Price: No Charge! 
IICRC Continuing Education:7-credit hours

Saturday we hit the wash floor so bring your wash boots! This is a day of hands-on, hang time on a high volume wash floor where you will put into practice the skills you've learned over the week. You will use various pieces of equipment and work the practical applications of a Moore washer, washtub, centrifuge, rinse wringer, and other equipment, in addition to the use of various chemicals on the wash floor. Bring your wash boots; you will need them! A BBQ lunch and refreshments will be provided. No Charge!


 

No agenda listed for this event.
No speakers information listed for this event.
No Featured Members listed for this event.
Residence Inn Denver Downtown
2777 Zuni Street
Denver, CO 80211
303-458--5318

Room Rates: Studio $159 + tax

Book your group rate for ARCS
2018/10 - ARCS Annual Skills Day (Denver, CO)

2018/10 - ARCS Annual Skills Day (Denver, CO)

$0.00
Date: October 19th, 2018
Location: Denver, CO Member Price: FREE; Non-member Price: $50.
IICRC Continuing Education: 7 Credit Hours


Come spend the day with fellow rug washers and restorers. Eat lunch, have a beer, talk shop, maybe take a class. All are welcome. Limited spaces are available for the individual classes being offered. Be sure to sign up early to guarantee your spot. The demonstrations are open for all who attend.

No agenda listed for this event.
No speakers listed for this event.
No Featured Members listed for this event.

Residence Inn Denver Downtown
2777 Zuni Street
Denver, CO 80211
303-458--5318

Room Rates: Studio $159 + tax

Book your group rate for ARCS
2018/09 - The Experience Convention (Las Vegas, NV)

2018/09 - The Experience Convention (Las Vegas, NV)

$0.00

Date: September 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2018 
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada 
IICRC Continuing Education: TBD

ARCS, The Association of Rug Care Specialists, is offering all Experience participants a chance to learn from some of the most experienced and skilled rug washers in the country. 



No agenda listed for this event.
No seakers listed for this event.
No Featured Speakers listed for this event.
No listed hotels for this event.
2018/09 - Annual Convention (Seattle)

2018/09 - Annual Convention (Seattle)

$0.00

APRIL 18 - 20, 2018
(Saturday, April 21th Optional Day)

Registration Fee:
Members: $650.00
Nonmembers: $950.00
Guest: One day- $300.00
Optional Tour Day: Private Hosted Tour -Chihuly Garden and Glass-$30.00

IICRC Continuing Education: 6 credit hours

April 18th, Wednesday – Registration and cocktails in the hotel bar 5pm-7pm
5:00-7:00pm           Registration Desk, Lobby Foyer
5:00-7:00pm           Welcome Cocktail Reception, Lobby Lounge

April 19th, Thursday
(Associate Members will have booths outside the door!!)

8:30am                  Continental Breakfast - ( Meet and Greet your Associate members ), Grand Pacific Ballroom D
9:00am                  Annual Board Meeting - Randy Hyde, ARCS President, Grand Pacific Ballroom D
9:30am                  Moving a 40+ year old wash plant, Thea Sands of Emmanuels Rug Cleaning
10:00am                Coffee Break 
10:15am                Eminent Domaine and A Wash Plant- Robert Mann of Robert Man Oriental Rugs
11:00am                Risk Assessment -Developing a Best In Class Safety Program - Erin Mutert of JW Terrill
12:00pm                LUNCH
1:00pm                  Dealing with Negative Reviews - Tim Miller of Local Search Essentials
1:45pm                  Front Office - Jennifer Colaco of Oriental Rug Cleaning Co.
2:30pm                  Break
2:45 pm                 Color Marketing Group - Alicia D Keshinshian of Color Marketing Group.
3:30pm                  When Fire Strikes, Lessons Learned Insurance - Peter Masi or Master Cleaners.
4:00pm                  Closing Remarks and Adjournment
4:30pm                  Board of Directors Meeting (Board members only)

Dinner on your own

April 20th, Friday – Plant Tours

8:30am                  Catch the Motor Coach to Emanuel's Rug Cleaning 
9:00am                  Tour Emanuel's Rug Cleaning - Hosted by Thea Sands
11:30am                Catch Motor Coach to Pyramid Ale House
12:00pm                Lunch
1:30 pm                 Catch Motor Coach to DA Burns Rug Cleaning 
2:00pm                  Tour DA Burns Rug Cleaning - Hosted by Bryan O'haleck 
5:30pm                  Catch Motor Coach to the hotel                                                            

Dinner on your own

Please note the time changes below
April 21st, Saturday –Private Tour of the Chihuly Garden and Glass  (Optional Day!) 
9:30am                 Meet in lobby - walk over to the Gardens together
10am                      Tour of the Chihuli Garden and Glass
11am                      Conference Ends...
                               You are on your own. Enjoy Seattle!


-Erin Mutert CSP is responsible for providing safety consulting services  
-Thea Sands moving a from a 40+ year old location 
-Robert Mann A wash plant and eminent domain 
-Reagan Masi- Fire at his plant - A wash plant when disaster strikes 
-JW Carol- Risk Assessment and Wash Plant Safety 
-CMG Color Marketing group- Market trends and forecasting for designs
PRIVATE TOUR-Chihuly Garden and Glass-$30.00
305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109-4623
206-753-4940
http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/
Tour is approximately one hour and includes the Galleries, Glasshouse, and Garden
7 minute taxi ride not included or 20 minute walk 
 
Emmanuel’s Rug Cleaning:
http://www.emmanuelsrug.com/ 
Tour 4/20, 9-11:30
  • Emmanuel's Rug and Upholstery Cleaners was founded in 1907 by John Manoug Emmanuel, an Armenian immigrant from Turkey.
  • For four generations, Emmanuel's has based their business on a tradition of service and quality while keeping current on the most modern industry developments.
  • The company has had some distinguished clients, including the Seattle Sonics, who had their 1977-78 Western Conference Champions banner cleaned, and Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, who had a dining room rug altered.

4/19- Thea Sands- Moving a 40+ year old wash plant

  • President of Emmanuel’s Rug and Upholstery Cleaners, and a fourth-generation expert in cleaning, repair, and restoration
  • Sand was asked to come back in 2002 -- after being away from the business for more than two decades -- to help run things after her mother became ill.
  • http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Retail-Notebook-Rug-cleaner-s-roots-run-deep-1230687.php#photo-674616

DA Burns
https://www.daburns.com/
Tour 4/20- 2:30-5:30pm

  • How It All Began- In 1930 a mist the Great Depression, David A. Burns, Sr., moved his family to Seattle to find new employment opportunities. The Burns family’s interest in professional cleaning came purely by accident. While managing a Seattle apartment building, a pail of wall cleaning solution was spilled on a wool area rug by Mr. and Mrs. Burns, Sr. They quickly absorbed as much of the soapy spill as they could. A next day inspection of the rug revealed a clean spot where the cleaning solution had been spilled. Both Dave Sr. and Dave Jr., who was employed as a custodian in a downtown office building, decided to apply this experience on a full-time business basis. As their rug cleaning expertise and capabilities grew, D. A. Burns & Sons tackled Oriental rugs and added carpet repair and upholstery cleaning to their growing scope of services. Recognizing the need for carpet edge finishing treatments, the Burns family responded by offering carpet binding, serging and fringing services. With the advent of wall-to-wall carpeting, the firm followed with the on-location cleaning of installed carpet
  • As the greater Seattle area has grown, D. A. Burns has grown with it. To meet the challenges of increased traffic congestion, two income families, and higher service expectations on the part of the consumer, D. A. Burns opened a satellite office in suburban Bellevue in 1988. The satellite strategy is to make their in-plant cleaning services more accessible with a second location and offer savings to their customers through their “cash & carry” pricing program.

Robert Mann-a wash plant and eminent domain

  • In February of 1978, I began a career in the rug business as an apprentice restorer working for an Iranian man named Hamid Sharifzadeh. I had travelled extensively in rug producing countries and somehow it all made sense.
  • Working mostly for rug stores and dealers we did basic repairs. When rugs were too dirty to repair as is, we would clean them in the bath tub or out in the driveway. It was an exciting time.
  • Based in Boulder, the business grew slowly. In January 1982 I opened a wash plant and restoration studio in a shop front at 32nd Avenue and Lowell in North Denver. I hired two employees.
  • In 1984 we moved to a large warehouse on Walnut Street, and moved again in 2009 to a bigger space on Race Ct. just north of the Denver Stockyards complex. With a staff of twenty we had become a small business.
  • A Denver County plan to redevelop the Stock Yards has caused us to prepare for yet another move. In mid-2018 we will move into a new Denver facility near 56th and Pecos. Our new home will be a 24,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility for rug cleaning and restoration.

4/19- Reagan Masi- When Disaster Strikes 
http://mastercleaners.com/

  • Since 1947, Master Rug Cleaners has provided cleaning services for wall to wall carpet, upholstery, Persian and area rugs, and stone & tile. At our one-of-a-kind facility, we employ equipment and procedures that focus on both quality cleaning and preservation of your family treasures. With over 60 years of cleaning mastery, we are the best choice for Sonoma, Marin, and Napa County.
  • http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/7318617-181/homeless-encampment-allegedly-sparks-fire?artslide=0&sba=AAS

4/19- JW Terrill- rug plant safety 
http://www.jwterrill.com/

4/19- Color Marketing Group- Alicia Keshishiany
https://colormarketing.org/
http://www.adkcarpets.com/

  • I’ve been an art director, designer, and illustrator for more than 30 years. I received a BFA in Design / Illustration from the California College of Arts & Crafts (CCAC). Soon after, I moved to New York City, where I worked in a myriad of publishing industries including fashion, direct mail, film, music and crafts. Along the way, I won awards including The Society of Publication Designers, Art Director's Club, Art Director’s Creativity, and Communication Arts.
  • Between jobs and coasts I was lucky enough to spend two years as an artist-in-residence, exploring surface design at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. Once back in the Bay Area, I continued my editorial art direction, then became an art director for Papyrus where I blended my love of surface design with art direction.
  • Most recently I've developed a line of custom, handmade-to-order carpets and now enjoy sharing my years of experience teaching workshops on color and design.
  • I am an ASID industry partner, have studied with Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, and continue to increase my knowledge of color through association with the Color Marketing Group.

ARCS local wash plant members 
DA Burns 
4411 Leary Way
Seattle, WA 98107
206-782-2268
www.daburns.com

Emmanuel Rug Cleaning 
231 S. Hinds St.
Seattle, WA  98134
www.emmanuelsrug.com

Hotel Marriott Waterfront - Book Now

 

2018/05 - Introduction to Rug Care (Online)

2018/05 - Introduction to Rug Care (Online)

$0.00

Date: May 15, 17, 22, & 24, 2018 from 3 - 4:20pm EST

Location: Online

ARCS's Introduction to Rug Care course is designed to increase student’s knowledge at a fraction of the cost of other formal education programs. Geared towards employees and those new to the industry, the Introduction to Rug Care course gives students the information they need to make informed cleaning decisions and speak confidently with customers about the cleaning process.

Not simply an online textbook, this is a virtual class in every sense of the word. A live teacher guides a small group of students through the curriculum, answering student’s questions as they arise. Divided into four sessions lasting 80 minutes each, the cleaning process, rug fibers, basic cleaning chemistry and basic rug ID are all presented in ways that everyone can understand. A review test is sent following each session which students may use to evaluate their understanding of the material presented.

Member Price: $150; Non­member Price: $225

IICRC Continuing Education: 6 credit hours.

If you have any questions, please contact office@rugcarespecialists.org.



The basic outline of the course is as follows.

Session One – The Cleaning Process

Reviews the basic steps in a “best­ practice” rug cleaning, why we do them and some of the most common prevailing methods in application today. While pros and cons of each method are discussed, editorial content is kept out.

  • Pre­-cleaning Inspection – Why some consider it the most important step in rug cleaning and some of the most common conditions encountered in area rugs.
  • Dry soil removal – Why it’s important and ways to do it.
  • Washing – From dry cleaning methods to full saturation washing. Each method is discussed covering the why and how as well as the pros and cons.
  • Drying – Surveying the most common methods in use today
  • Finishing processes – Grooming, browning correction, color correction, etc.

Session Two – Fibers and Chemistry

Covers the basics of the most common fibers and chemicals encountered in area rug care. Topics are discussed generically, avoiding favoritism and bias.

Fibers

  • Wool – Why it is the most common rug fiber. How we go from sheep to rug yarn.
  • Cotton – Production and application
  • Silk – It’s advantages, disadvantages and production
  • Bast Fibers – production and uses
  • Plastics – Nylon, Olefin, etc.
  • Rayon – production and it’s many other names

Chemistry

  • Soil – most common types, how they accumulate and implications for cleaning
  • Solvents – Polar and Non­-polar, volatile and non­volatile and applications for cleaning
    • Detergents – what they are and how they work
  • The PH scale – What it is, why it’s important and the general PH of specific substances
  • Sinner circle

Session Three – Rug ID – Tufted & Specialty Rugs

A general discussion of tufted rugs and their specific cleaning needs and concerns is followed by a survey of the most common types of tufted rugs encountered, how to identify them and their specific cleaning needs and concerns.  We finish covering the most common specialty rugs a cleaner will encounter.

  • Tufted rugs – What they are and how they differ from other area rugs
  • Tufted rugs made in China
  • Tufted rugs made in India
  • Custom­-tufted rugs
  • Machine­-tufted rugs
  • Specialty rugs – Skins, Shags, craft rugs, etc.

Session Four – Rug ID – Non-tufted rugs

Picks up where we left off. We start with Machine­-made rugs and cover how to tell them from hand­made rugs. While hand­made rug ID is not discussed, students are introduced to the basics of where they are made, different construction techniques and the terminology used, building a foundation for future classes.

  • Wilton construction – both traditional and face­-to­-face variants
  • Axminster – both tradition and the Karastan® variants
  • Hand­made – piled and non­-piled construction, terminology and how to tell them from machine­-made rugs

About the instructor ­- 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.

None for this event.
Online event.
2017/11 - Introduction to Rug Care (Online)

2017/11 - Introduction to Rug Care (Online)

$0.00

Date: October 24, 26, 31 November  2, 2017 from 3 - 4:20pm EST 

Location: Online

ARCS's Introduction to Rug Care course is designed to increase student’s knowledge at a fraction of the cost of other formal education programs. Geared towards employees and those new to the industry, the Introduction to Rug Care course gives students the information they need to make informed cleaning decisions and speak confidently with customers about the cleaning process.

Not simply an online textbook, this is a virtual class in every sense of the word. A live teacher guides a small group of students through the curriculum, answering student’s questions as they arise. Divided into four sessions lasting 80 minutes each, the cleaning process, rug fibers, basic cleaning chemistry and basic rug ID are all presented in ways that everyone can understand. A review test is sent following each session which students may use to evaluate their understanding of the material presented.

Member Price: $150; Non­member Price: $225

If you have any questions, please contact office@rugcarespecialists.org



The basic outline of the course is as follows.

Session One – The Cleaning Process

Reviews the basic steps in a “best­ practice” rug cleaning, why we do them and some of the most common prevailing methods in application today. While pros and cons of each method are discussed, editorial content is kept out.

  • Pre­-cleaning Inspection – Why some consider it the most important step in rug cleaning and some of the most common conditions encountered in area rugs.
  • Dry soil removal – Why it’s important and ways to do it.
  • Washing – From dry cleaning methods to full saturation washing. Each method is discussed covering the why and how as well as the pros and cons.
  • Drying – Surveying the most common methods in use today
  • Finishing processes – Grooming, browning correction, color correction, etc.

Session Two – Fibers and Chemistry

Covers the basics of the most common fibers and chemicals encountered in area rug care. Topics are discussed generically, avoiding favoritism and bias.

Fibers

  • Wool – Why it is the most common rug fiber. How we go from sheep to rug yarn.
  • Cotton – Production and application
  • Silk – It’s advantages, disadvantages and production
  • Bast Fibers – production and uses
  • Plastics – Nylon, Olefin, etc.
  • Rayon – production and it’s many other names

Chemistry

  • Soil – most common types, how they accumulate and implications for cleaning
  • Solvents – Polar and Non­-polar, volatile and non­volatile and applications for cleaning
    • Detergents – what they are and how they work
  • The PH scale – What it is, why it’s important and the general PH of specific substances
  • Sinner circle

Session Three – Rug ID – Tufted & Specialty Rugs

A general discussion of tufted rugs and their specific cleaning needs and concerns is followed by a survey of the most common types of tufted rugs encountered, how to identify them and their specific cleaning needs and concerns.  We finish covering the most common specialty rugs a cleaner will encounter.

  • Tufted rugs – What they are and how they differ from other area rugs
  • Tufted rugs made in China
  • Tufted rugs made in India
  • Custom­-tufted rugs
  • Machine­-tufted rugs
  • Specialty rugs – Skins, Shags, craft rugs, etc.

Session Four – Rug ID – Non-tufted rugs

Picks up where we left off. We start with Machine­-made rugs and cover how to tell them from hand­made rugs. While hand­made rug ID is not discussed, students are introduced to the basics of where they are made, different construction techniques and the terminology used, building a foundation for future classes.

  • Wilton construction – both traditional and face­-to­-face variants
  • Axminster – both tradition and the Karastan® variants
  • Hand­made – piled and non­-piled construction, terminology and how to tell them from machine­-made rugs

About the instructor ­- 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.

None listed for this event.
Online event.
2017/09 - Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning (Albuquerque, NM)

2017/09 - Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning (Albuquerque, NM)

$0.00

Date: Sept. 18­-20, 2017

Location: Serafian's Oriental Rugs Albuquerque, NM

SPOTS ARE LIMITED REGISTER NOW!

The class consists of three intensive eight­-hour days taught primarily on the work floor of an operational wash plant. Topics covered will be basic rug identification, 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. 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.

Member Price: $900; Non­member Price: $1450.



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.

About our hosts

Serving the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area for thirty years, Serafian's was founded in 1987 by Geof and Connie Uhle, with the help of famous rug expert and author Carolyn Bosly.

Rug enthusiasts Joseph and Elizabeth Gabel bought the business in 1997, and, in 2003 Serafian's moved to its new showroom at 1421 Wyoming Blvd NE. Since that time Serafian's has built the most complete rug cleaning facility in New Mexico, and has become the state's largest rug washing business.

Serafian's is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and serves the entire state and its neighbors.

Members can make own hotel reservations.
2017/04 - ARCS Annual Convention (San Antonio, TX)

2017/04 - ARCS Annual Convention (San Antonio, TX)

$0.00
vents-classes/arcs-2017-annual-convention-registration-page">

 APRIL 18 - 21, 2017
"Southwest Textiles/Sustainability-Energy Efficiency-Savings"

Members - $575 per person + Optional Alamo Tour $25 
Non-Members - $875 per person + Optional Alamo Tour $25
The River Walk, San Antonio San Antonio
Mariott Riverwalk La Fonda on Main - view website
Southwest School of Art - view website

The Southwest School of Art is a nationally recognized leader in visual arts education, offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree as well as studio art programs for adults, children, and teens. For over 50 years, the Southwest School of Art has helped thousands of people unlock their creative potential and develop fulfilling connections to the arts, whether as professional working artists, dedicated dabblers, or perpetual learners.  The school offers classes in Introduction to Weaving and On Loom Weaving.

San Antonio Museum of Art - view website
Welcome to the San Antonio Museum of Art.  It’s not unusual for the first-time visitor to be astonished at the size and scope of the Museum’s collections. The Museum houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman, as well as Asian, art in the southern United States. The Museum also has a significant collection of Latin American art, from Pre-Columbian times to the present, showcased in the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art. Our growing contemporary art collection balances some true masterpieces with notable Texas and regional art.

Fiesta San Antonio - view website
What is Fiesta San Antonio?
Fiesta San Antonio started in 1891 as a one-parade event as a way to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. It has evolved into one of this nation’s premier festivals with an economic impact of more than $284 million for the Alamo City. Fiesta is the Party with a Purpose. and the funds raised by official Fiesta events provide services to San Antonio citizens throughout the year. That commemoration still takes place, but for more than a century, Fiesta has grown into a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures. 2017 marks Fiesta's 126th anniversary!

The Alamo - view website
Remember the Alamo! The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio), Texas, United States, killing all of the Texian defenders. Santa Anna's cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texian Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the revolution.

April 18th, Tuesday

Registration and cocktails in the hotel bar 5pm-7pm

April 19th, Wednesday 
(Associate Members will have booths outside the door!!) 
8:30 – 9:00am   - Continental Breakfast - Meet and Greet your Assoc. members 
9:00–10:00am   - Randy Hyde, ARCS Pres -Annual Board Meeting (Finances, Tech Com., EDU Com. & New BoD)
10:00-10:15am - Robert Mann of Robert Mann Rugs - Recycling Water 
10:15-10:45am - Scott Ring of Woodard’s - Going Solar by 
10:45-11:00am - Bill Fould of Deep Eddy’s - Rain Water Systems
11:00-11:15am - Coffee Break 
11:15-12:00am - Robot Creative - Lara August - Advertising, branding and marketing 
12:00-1:00pm   - LUNCH 
1:00-2:30pm     - Barry Wehmiller Leadership Institute - How To Build and Inspire Performance with Rich Diviney
2:30-2:45          - Break
2:45-3:30pm     - Josh Baer - Navajo Rugs 
3:30-4:30pm     - Robert Mann - Washing Navajo rugs

4:30-5:30pm     - Board Meeting (Board members only)
Dinner on your own


April 20th, Thursday – Tours
8:30am  - Catch Bus Hotel – Aladdin Cleaning & Restoration
9:00-11:30am  - Tour Aladdin - Demonstrations Clark Lancaster,  Centrum Force with strip agents.
11:30am  - Catch Bus
12:00-1:00pm  - Lunch at La Fonda on Main
1:00pm  - Catch Bus
1:30-2:30pm     - Southwest School of Art       
3:00-5:30pm     - San Antonio Museum of Art Tour & Cocktail reception
5:30pm - Catch Bus back to hotel
Dinner on your own                               
 
April 21th, Friday

Tour of the Alamo / Fiesta!!!! (Optional Day!) 
9:00 – 10:00am 
                           
Conference ends….You are on your own.  Enjoy Fiesta! 

Enjoy Speakers and Demonstrations!

Advertising, branding, and marketing by Lara August of Robot Creative 

Sustainability-Energy-Savings:
 • Going Solar by Scott Ring
 • Rain Water Rug Cleaning by Bill Foulds 
 • Recycle Water Systems by Robert Mann
Southwest Textiles:
 • History and ID of Navajo Rugs by Josh Baer 
 • Washing Navajo Rugs with Robert Mann
About Aladdin

Damon Fortenberry, Aladdin’s plant manager has been with the company since 2003.  Damon has attended numerous ARCS classes including the Intermediate Rug Cleaning class in Austin and the Intermediate Rug Repair Workshop in Denver.  He has numerous IICRC certifications, including Rug Cleaning Technician.  He most recently received his Master Rug Cleaning certification in Dallas.  

Meg Walker, Vice President of Aladdin has been with the company since 2005.  Meg earned her BBA from Texas Christian University in 2004.  She most recently earned her Master Rug Cleaning certification in 2016.  She handles the non-rug related side of the business focusing on marketing, finance and HR.  Meg is the proud mom of Travis and Campbell.

Aladdin is a full-service cleaning and restoration company that has been providing services such as Oriental rug cleaning, carpet cleaning and more for residential and commercial properties in San Antonio and surrounding areas since 1956. In 1996, we expanded our services to include 24-hour Emergency water, fire & smoke damage repair. We are committed to providing excellent services at reasonable prices for the communities we have the opportunity to serve. Aladdin has offices in San Antonio, Boerne & New Braunfels to better serve our customers in those communities.

Bob Spalten, CRS purchased Aladdin in 1996.  Aladdin was started in 1956 by Tom Wright, a former president of ASCR.  Under Bob’s direction, the business has grown over 400%. Bob is involved in several civic associations in the San Antonio area. He is the past Chairman of big Brothers Big Sisters and the past president of Alamo Kiwanis Club.  He has been a member of the Texas Cavaliers since 1998.  
Book your group rate for Marriott Riverwalk - ARCS 2017 Annual Convention
2017/01 - ARCS Annual Skills Day (Las Vegas, NV)

2017/01 - ARCS Annual Skills Day (Las Vegas, NV)

$0.00

ICE EXPO

January 26th – 27th, 2017
Southpoint Hotel, Casino and Spa, Las Vegas, NV
Technical Skills Day
January 25th, 2017
Southpoint Hotel, Casino and Spa, Las Vegas, NV

TECHNICAL SKILLS DAY, January 25th, Redwood Room

THE DAY BEFORE ICE FORMALLY OPENS 
ARCS Annual Skills Day @ the ICE EXPO in VEGAS (10am-3pm)
FOUR ‘HANDS ON’ CLASSES, DEMONSTRATIONS, DISCUSSION, LUNCH, BEER, RAFFLE, & PRIZES

Member Price: FREE; Non-member Price: $50.

Come spend the day with fellow rug washers and restorers. Eat lunch, have a beer, talk shop, maybe take a class. All are welcome. Limited spaces are available for the individual classes being offered. Be sure to sign up early to guarantee your spot. The demonstrations are open for all who attend

ICE EXPO, January 26th:
4pm – 5pm, Redwood Room 

ICE EXPO, January 27th:
11:45‐12:45, Main Stage

CLASSES OFFERED:
These classes are hands on and designed to send you home with a valuable skill you can offer your customers. Entirely hands on you will receive training in basic rug repair techniques useful in any wash plant.
  • 10am & 1pm - Re-fringe & Velcro with Jill Schuller, Lead Restorer at Robert Mann Rugs and Instructor for MRC’s Repair Class Series. Learn to sew on Velcro hanging systems. Class is hands on – you will be doing the sewing. Each student will take home a piece of rug suitable to use as a sales tool with your customers when offering Velcro or hand sewn fringe. Limited to five students per class.
  • 11am & 2pm - Sewing Ends & Sides with Jill Schuller, Lead Restorer at Robert Mann Rugs and Instructor for MRC’s Repair Class Series. Learn various techniques for hand done end securing and selvage wrapping. The class is hands on and students will be doing the work. Limited to five students per class.
DEMONSTRATIONS:
Demonstrations are open to all registered attendees. We expect dialogue and an opportunity to learn new skills, or refine the ones you already have.
  • 10:00am & 1:00pm – Rug Identification with Robert Mann, Owner of Robert Mann Rugs in Denver, CO. This is a hands on discussion of rug identification that looks at rug identification from a structure standpoint. 
  • 11am & 2pm – Making fringes look good after the wash. Customers look at fringes to determine the ‘quality’ of your wash skills. You need them to look their best. This demonstration will cover a simple technique for stripping dye stained fringe, the grooming - combing & trimming – of  fringe to make it look it’s best. Andrija Malabasa, Manager and Quality Control at Robert Mann Rugs.
  • 12:00pm – 1:00pm - Rug Intake Skills. There is nothing more important than doing a proper job examining a rug before you clean it. Rug intake is an art and it takes practice and time to develop your skills. Armen Dohanian, a third generation rug cleaner, will share his skills and experience with you.
  • 2pm - Rug Shearing demonstrations with an NC Shearing Machine Oster Clippers. Sprouts, light fade, shaggy surfaces; no problem. Shearing is an important skill and one you will use every day in a rug wash plant. Come and learn.  Robert Mann and Randy Hyde owner of Rennaisance Rug Cleaning & President of ARCS
12pm - 1:00pm - LUNCH WILL BE SERVED; SANDWICHES, BEER, SOFT DRINKS
ICE EXPO January 26‐27th, 2017

VISIT OUR BOOTH at the ICE EXPO!!! 
Try your hand at rug I.D. with President Randy Hyde!
Rug Re-weaving Demonstrations! 
GAMES, RAFFLES, PRIZES AND BEER!!

ARCS WILL ALSO BE OFFERING THREE PROGRAMS AS PART OF THE
REGULARLY SCHEDULED ICE EVENTS!
These talks are open to all registered ICE attendees.
Please join us for some very interesting discussions about rugs and rug washing.

ICE EXPO, January 26th:

2:30pm – 3:30 pm  Redwood Room
Talk: How Hand Woven Rugs Are Made, Robert Mann
How often does a client ask you a technical question about how rugs are made?  Can they really be washed? Are they all woven by children? Where do they come from? 

In this slide presentation and talk Robert will chart the path from sheep to the loom, and to your clients home. We will review the preparation of materials, dying, weaving, wash and finishing, and some some thoughts on distribution and costs. Come learn the answers to a few of the most common questions your clients will ask you. We will view about 30 minutes of slides and leave the rest of the program time for your questions and discussion.

Speaker: 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 it’s 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. 
‘How Do You Market Your Service? How Well Has it Worked?
We could all use just a little more business, but how do we get it?  We all wonder about our marketing plans. Are they working? Does the next guy’s plan look better? Can we do better? Come for a panel discussion with with people who struggle with these questions every day. Let’s find out what they think has worked – or not worked – for them. Lively discussion is guaranteed.

Panel Speakers: 
Lisa Wagner; Co‐owner of K. Blatchford's San Diego Rug Cleaning & Repair in California. They are nationally recognized specialists in the care of antique and contemporary Oriental and Persian rugs. Lisa is the rug care columnist for Cleanfax Magazine and the founder of the Textile Pro Program, an advanced hands‐on training program for rug and fine fabric care.

Lisa has been providing on‐line and in‐person rug care training for two decades, and in 2006 she was chosen as the Cleaning Industry Person of the Year for her industry educational contributions. Her blog RugChick.com is the most visited and referenced rug care educational site on the web.

Shane Hobbs; IICRC Certified, Shane Hobbs is the founder and CEO of Dalworth Rug Cleaning, an area and oriental rug cleaning company in Dallas Fort Worth. Dalworth Rug Cleaning is run with an intense focus on customer service, innovation, quality and integrity. The business is a household name in the DFW metroplex. In fact, Shane’s hard work and ability to lead by example have a huge effect on his team. Together, they have earned numerous industry accolades and awards, as well as respect from competitors and customers alike.

Joe Gabel; Owner of Serafian’s in Albuquerque, NM. Joe has run and managed businesses since he was 19. A native of Albuquerque, Joe spent 20 years as an investment management consulting to institutional clients. His love of Oriental rugs led to the purchase of Serafian's Oriental Rugs in Albuquerque in 1997. He built and operates the largest rug washing plant in the Southwest. Joe has served on the ARCS Board for several years, most recently as Vice President. 

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 it’s 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.

Adam Dohanian from BonTon Rugs in Boston, MA.; Adam Dohanian from Bon Ton Rug in Boston is a fourth generation cleaner and Certified Rug Specialist.  He is involved with managing all aspects of the business and strives to maintain the high standards his family has established.   He is currently serving on the ARCS board of directors.

ARCS’ Members Speakers:  
Randy Hyde; Owner of Renaissance Rug Cleaning, Inc. established 1999 in Portland, Oregon. He started in the rug business with Atiyeh Brothers in the late 1980’s. In 1996 Randy accepted a job with rug dealer, author and tribal rug expert James Opie in part to manage the wash plant but also to sell rugs. Randy purchased the cleaning end of the business in 1999 and changed the name to “Renaissance Rug Cleaning”.  Today Renaissance provides cleaning and service to most of Portland’s dealers and collectors.

Scott Ring; Rug operations manager at Woodards in St. Louis, MO.  Scott started in the rug cleaning business in the late 1980’s workin In the plant at Woodard’s.  After becoming proficient in cleaning and repairing rugs, he pursued another opportunity in 1996 to go to work in the retail industry selling rugs.  Scott worked his way up to showroom manager and helped grow the retail business from 1.3 million to 3 million.  After selling and importing for 13 years, the absentee owner closed his store and changed his focus.  This brought Mr. Ring back to Woodards in 2013 where he is currently Rug Operations Manager.  Master Rug Cleaner Certified, attended repair classes with Robert Mann.   

Shane Hobbs; IICRC Certified, Shane Hobbs is the founder and CEO of Dalworth Rug Cleaning, an area and oriental rug cleaning company in Dallas Fort Worth. Dalworth Rug Cleaning is run with an intense focus on customer service, innovation, quality and integrity. The business is a household name in the DFW metroplex. In fact, Shane’s hard work and ability to lead by example have a huge effect on his team. Together, they have earned numerous industry accolades and awards, as well as respect from competitors and customers alike.

Brian Benzal from Serafians in Albuquerque, NM. Wash Supervisor, Co‐Manager
Brian has a degree in applied mathematics from the University of New Mexico. He manages the rug washing plant at Serafian's Oriental Rugs. Brian has specialized training in rug repair, wool dyeing, color repair, and has earned the Master Rug Cleaner (MRC), and Certified Rug Specialist (CRS) designations. He is a member of ARCS and serves on the ARCS Education Committee.
‘A Virtual Tour of ARCS Member Wash Plants’
Come listen to four different ARCS members present quick overviews of each of their wash plants followed by a panel Q&A with the audience. Not all wash plants  are the same. You may be surprised by the diversity in both size and process. Thinking of building your own plant or improving one you already operate?  You won’t want to miss this opportunity to talk to an experienced group of rug washers about the choices they made in establishing their operations.

Southpoint Hotel, Casino and Spa, Las Vegas, NV