ROSEMONT, ILL.—The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) will be holding its ISSA Show North America from November 13 to 16 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The annual tradeshow brings together leaders from the commercial, institutional, and residential cleaning community. In addition to having access to hundreds of cleaning supply companies, show attendees will be able to attend 11 educational sessions focused on various aspects of Environmental, Social Responsibility and Governance (ESG).
According to ISSA, the mission of ISSA Show North America is to be the leading resource for information, education, innovation, networking, and commercial opportunities for firms within the worldwide cleaning industry. It’s where leaders gather to transfer knowledge and create cutting-edge solutions to push the industry forward. “In doing so, we leverage the strength of a global community to change the way the world views cleaning—increasing the appreciation for cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line,” ISSA says.
The ESG session topics will include:
- Change Leadership: Your Key to Business Results and Professional Differentiation
- A Joint HCPA and ISSA Event: Cleaning Products: A Regulatory Update
- Driving Business Value through Healthy Buildings
- ESG Lighthouse Proposal
- Redefining Cleaning for Health
- The Future of Sustainability for the Cleaning Industry
- Cleaning for Health to Create the Healthiest Possible Indoor Environment
- Benchmarking Cleaning Results in K-12 Schools
- Healthy Workplaces
- Understanding and Maintaining Moisture Intrusion in your Facility
- Leaning into the Health Benefits of Green Cleaning Products
Informa Markets, the manager of the event, has committed to run it in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. “The key is considering how we can reduce our carbon footprint through energy efficiency, consideration of our energy use, waste reduction and our procurement choice,” Informa says, adding that it considers an event’s impact on the local community and how it considers the welfare of everyone at its events, how it does business in an ethical and safe manner and how it promotes equality and accessibility.
ISSA Sustainability Committee Formed Last Year
ISSA established its ISSA Sustainability Committee in 2022 to develop an accessible, credible, and enduring multifaceted sustainability program for the global cleaning industry. The Committee convenes volunteer leaders from all facets of the supply chain and services sector to identify and develop resources members need (e.g., training, and educational programs on sustainability, reporting tools, ESG, government requirements, et al.) for organizational improvement and responding to customers’ sustainability requests.
Although several sustainability programs exist in the cleaning industry, none focus on the unique aspects of the cleaning industry. While prior cleaning-industry sustainability initiatives have focused on green products and education, a gap exists regarding establishing recognized tools and standards for broader sustainability efforts including (ESG) initiatives.
To date, the committee’s membership includes more than 140 industry professionals. Its emerging Leadership Council and Work Groups focus on developing the specific programs and value drivers for ISSA members and the cleaning industry overall.
At the Show, a second Spotlight Event will take place featuring Doc Hendley, founder and international president of Wine To Water, a nonprofit organization that provides clean water to people in need around the world. Hendley created the concept of Wine To Water while bartending and playing music in nightclubs around Raleigh, N.C. He’ll share his inspiring story that proves anyone can have a meaningful impact on the world.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
