We weren’t going to let a global pandemic stand in the way of celebrating the best of the best in the industry. In the late afternoon on Thursday 26 November 2020, nearly 300 people from across the industry, and across the globe, switched on their laptops and logged in to watch the first ever virtual Laundry and Drycleaning Awards – The vLADAs.

It might have been online but we still got together. We still chatted. We were still entertained. And some of us even had a little drink, or dressed up, to enter into the spirit of things. But best of all, and most importantly, we still got to recognise the winners of the LADAs 2020. A talented bunch representing all that is great in the industry – the innovations, the developments and the people. Organiser MEG Events went to exceptional lengths to put on some sort of show this year. And it didn’t disappoint. Managing director Mark Gleed said: “After six years the LADAs is now a firm fixture on the industry calendar. Not holding any kind of event simply wasn’t an option for us – the nominations were already in and the judges had done their work – the winners had to be recognised for their achievements. When we learnt that we couldn’t hold the event as normal we knew we had to come up with an alternative. “A massive zoom call wasn’t going to work, so we drafted in the professionals who could piece it all together, press the right buttons and run things seamlessly on the day. “Behind the scenes we’ve worked hard to gather all the footage.

Every finalist had to record an acceptance speech so that all the secrets were kept under wraps to reveal at the live event! Our thanks to everyone for their contributions and understanding with this. We know it was a big ask. “Added to that was the recording of our entertainers, singer Alison David and magician Collin Claus, and the scripting for our professional compere Mark Jones and our sponsors to deliver the winning names for all the categories.

And let’s not underestimate the undercover operations that were needed to catch our Lifetime Achievement winner unawares! Our congratulations to John Shonfeld from Tibard and thanks to everyone involved in that!” It was a huge logistical operation but all the effort was worth it. 296 people attended. The worthy winners were recognised and rewarded. And messages of thanks, support and well done flooded in during and after the event. The team at MEG Events and Laundry & Cleaning Today would especially like to thank the sponsors for sticking with them – their continued support was very much appreciated in what has been a difficult year for everyone. And finally, a thanks to everyone that joined in with the vLADAs 2020 and making it the best experience it could be.

We hope to see you all next year at the LADAs 2021 on 4 November. Let’s hope we can see each other for real by then! Until then we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and here’s to a better 2021! Stay safe and stay well.