Testimonials

“As second generation business owners in the dry cleaning industry, we are always looking at ways to constantly build on our business plan & strategy; however, our biggest challenge is that there are never enough minutes in the day to explore new opportunities. The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists provides sound advice and consulting tips in all areas, from the technical aspect of gown care, to marketing and business advice on leadership skills for coaching your business team. Much of our success is because the AWGS connects all the members internationally for instant advice for best practices and problem-solving with day-to-day challenges and opportunities. What we like most about being members of the AWGS are the business opportunities shared among the members are always current and in-line with the latest and greatest in the digital marketing world and the wedding industry itself. As a second-generation owner, we had a fantastic opportunity to take a refresher course (which is normally geared towards new members) in Boston last fall and re-certify ourselves on the technical processes of gown care.

Our highlight each year is attending the annual member conference. It’s a weekend filled with phenomenal keynote speakers & wedding industry leaders, breakout sessions, hand-on skill builders, behind-the-scenes facility tours, dry cleaning vendor and supplier advantages… Not to mention the overall fun networking time with our global members, who have decades of gown care & dry cleaning experience under their belts. Our wedding gown sales have tripled in a span of 18 months and are continuing to grow as a direct result of the available resources and consulting advice from the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to take their dry cleaning business to the next level!”

“Since becoming members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists in early 2021, we have seen 30% growth in our wedding department.  There are many benefits to being a member of AWGS, but the ones we have found to be most beneficial are the marketing materials and the amazing network of professional members.  Their wisdom and willingness to share expertise have been resources that you can’t put a price on.  If you are serious about cleaning, preservation, and other areas associated with wedding gown care, this is the group for you.”

“Since becoming members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists in early 2021, we have seen 30% growth in our wedding department.  There are many benefits to being a member of AWGS, but the ones we have found to be most beneficial are the marketing materials and the amazing network of professional members.  Their wisdom and willingness to share expertise have been resources that you can’t put a price on.  If you are serious about cleaning, preservation, and other areas associated with wedding gown care, this is the group for you.”

“In 2019, we made the decision to specialize in cleaning wedding dresses. Without a doubt, it was the best decision we made for our business. Becoming members of AWGS allowed us to expand our knowledge and gave our company a new direction.

This year, 2024, has been particularly special as I participated in the OHIO/COLUMBUS Annual Expert Meeting. From the moment I arrived at the hotel, everything was carefully prepared and well organized by Sally, who was with me, providing  essential support and answering my questions.

At this meeting, I was able to expand my business perspective  by exchanging valuable information with other  AWGS members and learning from social media experts—on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and ChatGPT—who emphasized the importance of these tools for our business. Visiting the Dublin Cleaners laundry was a highlight, the owners were wonderful hosts  and kindly showed us a glimpse of their daily operations.

I returned to Brazil feeling very happy with everything I experienced at the experts’ meeting, and with the confidence that joining AWGS was the best decision for my business.

I’m truly happy to be a part of AWGS, knowing that I have  all the support I need, with a community of members who  readily help each other navigate challenging situations, particularly with the delicate dresses we care for.”

“Belonging to the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists has numerous advantages: The annual meeting always has a series of excellent speakers covering various aspects of the wedding experience. The meeting is also an excellent opportunity to compare notes with skilled operators from around the world about any dry cleaning issue. We have access to large group buying discounts for advertising in various wedding media. We get constant updates throughout the year on the wedding scene. All new members get to attend a site for technical training related to the presentation and processing of wedding gowns at no charge! All in all, a great investment.”

“Ablitt’s membership in the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists has the highest ROI if any marketing investment we make. Connecting with like-minded drycleaners to share best practices for cleaning and marketing our wedding gown service is priceless.

The membership is always responsive through the Google Group. Having a group of experts to refer to in an instant is a major stress-saver, and provides us with the confidence to accept more challenging projects. The annual meeting is a way for members to connect with each other more closely and to grow as a dry cleaner. The speakers at the meeting are always novel, interesting and helpful. The educational programs are available to owners and employees alike. 

I highly suggest that anyone interested in providing in-house wedding gown cleaning join this association!”

“Joining the Association is the best business decision I ever made.”

“The Association differentiates us completely from other cleaners in our region. This has allowed us to position ourselves as the far and away top cleaning, preservation and restoration service and target a very attractive market of brides who expect the best and are willing to pay a premium for it.”

“This group has been absolutely wonderful as far as both friendship and knowledge have gone. I promise you will love being a part of this team!”

“I value the information and ideas that are continuously being sent among this group and consider it a blessing to be a member associated with you all. I know you are among the best cleaners in the world.“

“The meetings are amazing being able to share with and learn about a lot of ideas from other peers in this specialized service as well as spending time with some really terrific people.“

“Our long time affiliation with the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists has set us apart from other dry cleaners in our area in both gown care and in our daily dry cleaning services. Since we are a specialist of wedding gowns, it lends confidence to customers across the range of all of our services. As a member we have access to marketing that we could not do on our own and access to knowledge that we could not get anywhere else.“

“As the President of Janet Davis Cleaners in Berkey, MI, I am delighted to share my experience with the Association Wedding Gown Specialists since joining in 2005. Becoming a member has not only increased our sales and profits, but it has also allowed me to expand my network by connecting with top-tier professionals in the wedding gown cleaning industry worldwide. 

What I find most rewarding about being part of this group is the opportunity to build relationships with high-level operators from across the globe. These connections have fostered a collaborative atmosphere, enabling us to share knowledge, experiences, and strategies, which has greatly benefited my business. 

The Association’s wealth of knowledge and training resources have been invaluable in helping me excel in the wedding gown cleaning business. From mastering cleaning and preservation techniques to understanding the latest industry and marketing trends, the training provided by the Association has equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to consistently exceed my clients’ expectations. 

In summary, my membership with the Association Wedding Gown Specialists has been a game-changer for both my personal and professional growth. I am confident that anyone seeking to thrive in the wedding gown cleaning industry will find immense value in joining this esteemed group of professionals.”