2011/04 - Annual Convention (Austin, TX)

Date: 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.

AGENDA

1. Wednesday, April 17, 2024
1. Registration
2. Welcome Happy Hour: Lobby Lounge (cash bar)
3. Dinner on your own
2. Thursday, April 18, 2024
1. Welcome and overview of the day by ARCS President
2. Annual Meeting – Recap of the past year and projects in the works by ARCS Board of Directors
3. Presentation of CRS Recipients
4. Generational Transitions - Mike Jensen & Kash Sobhe will share how their companies transitioned from one generation to the next followed by a Q & A.
5. 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.
6. Importance of Intake Photos - Presentation by Ellen Amirkhan
7. Ask The Expert Panel - 1.5 hour panel of some of our favorite seasoned rug cleaners will answer all of our questions!
8. Keynote Speaker- James Evanow
9. Closing Comments & instructions for following day – ARCS President
10. Dinner on your own
3. Friday, April 19, 2024
1. Rug Renew
2. Blatchford’s San Diego Rug Cleaning & Repair
3. Prospect Rug Gallery
4. Saturday, April 20, 2024
1. Tour (optional)

SPEAKERS

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.

FEATURED MEMBERS

• 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.

Date: November 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2023 
Location: Santa Fe, NM

Join ARCS on a small group trip like no other as we head to Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’re receiving incredible access to galleries, private collections, and museums. We’ll dive head first into the big world of Southwest textiles, visiting with the people who collect them and the people who take care of them.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023: Arrive by late afternoon so that you can enjoy the welcome dinner! It will be a great way to start the trip and visit with your fellow travelers.

Thursday, November 2 & November 3rd: We have two days full of museum and gallery visits including the School for Advanced Research and the Museums of New Mexico. We have an incredible local guide who will be walking us through our visits. And of course, we have great lunches lined up at couple of the local’s favorite restaurants. Northern New Mexico cooking is a distinct regional style and quite delicious!

The event officially ends after our last gallery visit on Friday afternoon, but feel free to stay and make it a long weekend. This is an incredible place and fall in the high desert mesa country is a special time. Red rock against crystal clear blue skies. Santa Fe is also an amazing shopping town; art, fashion, craft, antiques. It’s surprising what you can see in such a small space!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Additional Information:

1. Transportation will be provided Thursday and Friday for our tours.
2. The hotel is located right off the square within walking distance to a plethora of amazing restaurants.
3. If you are able to find great flights into Santa Fe, congrats! For the rest of us, fly into Albuquerque, NM. There is an easy shuttle and rail system that can get you from ABQ to the plaza in Santa Fe

Date: 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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!

FEATURED MEMBERS

Pettyjohn's Cleaning and Restoration 

1905-101 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587

www.pettyjohnscleaning.com

Robert Pettyjohn

pettyjohn4@gmail.com

Date: 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!

FEATURED MEMBERS

Pinnacle Eco Clean, Inc. 

215 Mushroom Blvd #1803, Rochester, NY 14623

rochestercarpetcare.com

Kevin Kluth

kzkluth@gmail.com

Date: 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!

FEATURED MEMBERS

Kansas City Rug Cleaning and Repair

19353 W 151st Terr. Olathe, KS 66062

kcrugcleaning.com

Travis Briar

travis@krugcleaning.com