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Clean Buildings Conference
The focus on cleaning institutions can be traced back to the 1800s, but it garnered wide attention in the 1940s thanks to WWII. With federal edicts reallocating raw materials toward the war effort, manufacturers of cleaning products looked to alternative options. Those efforts were effective for the short term, but was scrutinized as it became more widely known that proper cleaning contributed to public health and welfare.
By the 1950s, a population that now had high expectations of sanitation and standards of sanitary maintenance were becoming critical of product substitutes. Products and equipment that were made from materials considered “inferior to those customarily used” were no longer acceptable. This demand for quality coincided with a building boom as the construction of high-rise facilities opened the door to opportunities for cleaning contractors.
1961
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Building service contractors become more prominent with the emergence of new facilities. Prior to this time, little was known about this end user segment, but BSCs quickly became a target for cleaning manufacturers and jan/san distributors alike. In response, the cleaning media started publishing contractor management-themed articles to increase awareness.
1965
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Twenty-five building service contracting firms met in Washington, D.C. to explore the potential of a “strong, unified association”. They unanimously voted an “enthusiastic and vigorous” yes to the creation of the National Association of Building Service Contractors and a headquarters is established in the nation’s capital. This was the start of what would later become renamed Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI).
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A congress and trade show was held in the spring. More than 60 charter members spent four days of education, networking, and exhibits, which made the association official.
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The newly formed association offered a second education event later in the year, starting its annual tradition of executive conferences for “owners and top management of member firms,” which is called Contracting Success today.
1966
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James Purcell (pictured third from right) of Space Cleaners served as president of the association that first year and was re-elected in 1966. He would become the only individual to serve two terms in the role. Today, there is a CLEAN Award named in his honor.
