NORTH AMERICA
TRSA, the association representing the $50 billion North American linen, uniform and facility services industry, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its Canadian membership by hosting the Canadian/Pacific Northwest Summit, held 1–2 October at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. The event brought together industry leaders from across Canada and the US Pacific Northwest for two days of strategic collaboration, innovation, and insight.
This summit marked a significant investment by TRSA to ensure Canadian members are actively represented at both the association and advocacy levels.
Spotlight on industry evolution
The summit focused on the rapidly evolving landscape of the industry, with sessions centered around technology, sustainability, workforce development, and cross-border policy alignment.
The event opened with a powerful keynote from Peter Judge, Hall of Fame coach of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, who inspired attendees to “Own Your Podium” by cultivating ethical, inclusive, and high-performance workplace cultures.
Technology and innovation
Daniel Gelac of Kannegiesser Canada and Anders Hansen of Jensen led a dynamic session on automation and robotics, showcasing how advanced technologies are transforming laundry operations and helping address labour shortages.
Advocacy and sustainability in focus
Policy experts Nick Koolsbergen (Wellington Advocacy) and Michele Cadario (Vanguard Strategy Inc) discussed initiatives to support operators through 100% accelerated depreciation, promote reusable textiles, and harmonise regulatory codes across provinces. TRSA’s Vice President of Government Relations, Kevin Schwalb, provided updates on key advocacy efforts in the United States.
Navigating global trade and circular economies
A session on tariff impacts and global sourcing featured insights from Jeff Courey (George Courey Inc) and Carter Mills (M+A Matting), offering strategies for managing international trade complexities.
Dave Kasper of General Recycled introduced cutting-edge developments in textile recycling, highlighting the industry’s shift toward circular economy models.
Executive perspectives and facility tour
An executive panel featuring leaders from HLS Linen Services, Cintas Canada, UniFirst, and Service Linen shared perspectives on leadership, operational challenges, and regional growth opportunities.
The summit concluded with a tour of Alsco Uniforms’ Surrey facility — a 62,000-square-foot operation serving over 1,500 customers — demonstrating advanced laundry technologies and sustainable practices in action.
Fostering collaboration and regional insight
Throughout the summit, attendees participated in roundtable discussions and networking sessions designed to foster collaboration and share regional insights. Reflecting on the experience, Michael Ticker of Northwest Linen remarked, “This was a very informed meeting. There was a great deal of information sharing and it was great to see old friends and meet new people.”
The event reinforced TRSA’s dedication to advancing the industry through education, advocacy and innovation.
For details on upcoming TRSA events and initiatives, visit the TRSA event calendar.
