Members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (AWGS) met recently in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to the traditional tour of the host member’s plant, Kite’s Cleaners and Pinstripes, owned and managed by Nathan Kite, guest speakers included designer Callie Tein of Luna d’Miel Bridal, Emily Foster of Emily Foster Creative, Tracy Aaron of Wedding and Party Network, Kayla Fogarty of TheKnotWW.com, and Michael Tungesvick of Sankosha-USA.
As always, a highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the fourteenth annual Jack Barth Memorial Award of Excellence. Initiated by Linda Stokes-Barth in remembrance of her late husband and his achievements in the dry cleaning industry, the award recognizes an AWGS member for advancement, promotion, and development of industry standards for wedding gown care as well as for outstanding contributions and service to the Association and its members.
This year’s recipient, Ken Kinzer of Bridgestone Cleaners in Brooklyn, New York, began his garment-care journey more than four decades ago in 1983. In that time, Kinzer has achieved respect in the industry and pioneered eco-friendly techniques as well as taken on many leadership roles. Always a strong advocate for the industry, he has served as President of the National Cleaners Association, led community initiatives such as the Brooklyn Coats for Kids Campaign, and received numerous awards from groups such as the Clothing Care Council.
As AWGS president Kyle Matthews of Janet Davis Cleaners in Berkley, Michigan, noted when he presented the Barth Award, Kinzer first represented AWGS in Brooklyn and then expanded into Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester County, New York. “Kinzer’s clients describe his work as nothing short of meticulous and masterful,” said Matthews, “and one reviewer summed it up perfectly with the comment that ‘Ken treats every gown like it’s a priceless heirloom—because to the bride, it is.’ Ken, your leadership, craftsmanship, and commitment to AWGS make you more than deserving of this honor.”
Other speakers at the event included AWGS members Nadine Rana of Style and Grace Cleaners in Toronto, Ontario, and Ben Feingold of Fabricare Center Cleaners in Atlanta, Georgia on the topic of TikTok as well as Jan Barlow of Jan’s Professional Dry Cleaners in Flint, Michigan, on best hiring and incentive practices.
In addition to speakers, there was a series of round-table conversations offering everyone in the group the chance to discuss topics ranging from “must” updates for websites to keeping mechanical employees happy. AWGS table hosts included Jan Bohn of Margaret’s Cleaners in San Diego, California, on handling luxury garments, Marissa Gonzales of Five Star Wedding Gown Specialists in San Antonio, Texas, on starting a wedding alterations department, Melisa Soonius of Kite’s Cleaners and Pinstripes in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, on scheduling gown pick-up and delivery, and Margaret Butler of Dublin Cleaners in Dublin, Ohio, on developing a start-up video.
Matthews presided over the installation of officers who are vice president Rana, secretary-treasurer Rhonda Wernick of Oakwood the Greener Cleaners in Nashville, Tennessee, and immediate past president Kermit Engh of Methods for Management. Malcolm MacGregor of Brown’s Cleaners in Ottawa, Ontario, is chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.
Incoming members of the Board of Directors are Feingold and Kerryn Wollington of LDC Luxury Drycleaning in Cardiff, New South Wales, Australia.
Members new to the Association are Nina Lapin and Roman Cheb of Greenacres Cleaners and Alterations in Spokane Valley, Washington, Cameron Bastien of Carousel Cleaners in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Chad McMurtrie of Pristine Dry Cleaners in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Matthew Hyde of Hyde’s Quality Drycleaners in Gisborne, Victoria, Australia, and Bill Hudson of Cressbells Dry Cleaners in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
Sponsors of the event were Kreussler, Inc., Foster-Stephens, Inc., Sankosha-USA, Inc, Select Risk Insurance, and Kleerwite Chemicals.
AWGS is a not-for-profit trade association with members in nine countries. Members are certified to ensure that wedding gowns and heirloom textiles of all kinds are cleaned according to established museum standards and preserved in archival-quality materials. Wedding couples benefit from the personal, interactive service offered by wedding gown specialists in local communities, but the guarantee is truly an international warranty because each member honors the guarantee of every other member no matter where in the world they may be. Also, for every gown preservation, AWGS partners with the international Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree in celebration of the bride’s wedding in a forest of great need.
AWGS members benefit from both trademarked logos and other promotions such as wedding gown care labels and recommendations from more than 70 gown designers including Romona Keveza, Modern Trousseau, Paloma Blanca, Justin Alexander, and Enzoani.
AWGS’s MuseumCareTM preservations are also Endorsed by the Association of Bridal Consultants, the professional organization dedicated to wedding planners and professionals worldwide.
For more information about training and membership, call the Association office at 800-501-5005 or go to www.WeddingGownSpecialists.com or www.WeddingGownSpecialists.net.au.