Chicago Is Set To Draw Building Service Contractors For ISSA/INTERCLEAN 2016

Photo courtesy of ISSA

This is part one of a four-part preview of ISSA/INTERCLEAN 2016.

Building service contractors from around all over will make their way back to Chicago for ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America 2016. The four-day professional cleaning industry trade show and convention will feature a range of networking, educational and business opportunities.

More than 16,000 professionals from around the globe will network, learn and visit more than 700 vendors from 25 countries at McCormick Place from Oct. 25 to 28.

The event is hosted by ISSA and its trade show partner Amsterdam RAI.

Dubbed as “Untamed Potential — Unleash your opportunities for greater success,” ISSA/INTERCLEAN 2016 will include four different co-located events by industry associations. Co-hosting their annual conventions again this year in conjunction with ISSA/INTERCLEAN are IEHA, Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI) and Cleaning Equipment Trade Association (CETA).

New Education Format

ISSA/INTERCLEAN 2016 will feature more than 60 educational seminars, workshops and flash sessions that will cover timely topics such as green cleaning, healthy schools and the latest advances in infection control, all under a new format. 

“We recognize that our attendees all have different learning styles as well as very busy schedules. By providing more opportunities in a variety of formats, they can choose the style that works best for them,” says Lisa Richter, the director of marketing at ISSA. “Plus, the new schedule encourages more intimate and interactive sessions.”

The format will include in-depth “Deep Dive” seminars; panel discussions, where attendees will dictate the content based on question-and-answer sessions with experts; and  short “Flash Sessions” that will involve concentrated information about leadership, management and sales. Finally, half- and full-day hands-on workshops will teach attendees floor and restroom care skills, customer service, management, and how to perform a cleaning audit. Many of these workshops also offer certification opportunities.

Another new educational feature at the ISSA/INTERCLEAN this year will be the Green Clean Schools Forum, a series of seminars, presented by Healthy Schools Campaign and ISSA, throughout the day on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The sessions will focus on topics such as engaging and training a workforce, green products and green cleaning program assessments.   

In addition to the Green Clean Schools Forum, building service contractors can learn about opportunities in sports venues during a workshop on Thursday, Oct. 27. The session will be held by the Green Sports Alliance Team and will go through protocols that can lead to overall improvements in the cleanliness of sports facilities that have proven effective in reducing health and environmental threats. 

Building service contractors will have access to several certification opportunities and sessions about current pressing issues such as hiring, writing proposals, and sales and leadership strategies.

Attendees should note that some of the educational opportunities, which run throughout the four-day event, require additional registration and fees.