TRSA Facilitates Strategic Planning for WATS

The Wisconsin Association of Textile Services (WATS) met at Huebsch Services in Eau Claire, WI, to plan a long-term path to success and growth for the association. The meeting was led by TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci and Vice President of Government Relations Kevin Schwalb.

The members of the WATS Strategic Planning Committee, which consists of both independent and national operators as well as supplier partners, developed a plan that focuses on the following tenets: advocacy, communications and membership growth. The group also developed a mission statement: “Advocate for and promote the interests of the commercial linen, uniform and facility services industry in Wisconsin.” The group went on to describe the Value Proposition of WATS as: “Proactively representing industry interests at the state and local level in Wisconsin, provide leadership and operational value, facilitate networking and highlight the positive impact and commitment to the sustainability of the linen, uniform and facility services industry.”

“The WATS organization has been around for a while forming as a protection against nonprofit laundries in Wisconsin” said Jim Leef, WATS chairman. He added that, “The organization has hit a state of stagnation, and this meeting served to energize WATS Leadership and give focus moving forward. TRSA’s involvement in managing WATS and facilitating the strategic-planning meeting has been invaluable.”

TRSA has been the association manager of WATS since August and is consulting with other linen, uniform and facility services organizations, with a focus on strengthening regional and similar industry organizations. “As the only organization trying to coordinate messaging and efforts of all the textile services organizations, TRSA is happy to manage WATS,” Ricci said. “It was good to share their enthusiasm and energy in advancing the linen, uniform and facility services industry.”