Updates from the Leading Association for the Cleaning Industry Worldwide

Latest Group of ISSA Certification Experts Brings Total to More Than 400

A new group of individuals has achieved certification as official Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) ISSA Certification Experts (I.C.E.). The addition of these 36 new I.C.E. professionals brings the total count to more than 400 experts representing 47 U.S. states and Canadian provinces as well as Mexico and the Caribbean.

An interactive map containing a full list of CIMS experts and their contact information is available at www.issa.com/?id=cims_ice_map&lg.

“ISSA is very pleased with the manner in which the I.C.E. program continues to grow, and the association is very excited that there are now well more than 400 professionals who have achieved expert status,” said ISSA Director of Facility Service Programs Dan Wagner. “Most exciting is that the vast majority of CIMS applicants specifically list an expert with whom they are working as they prepare for their certification assessment. This proves that many I.C.E.-certified professionals are using their status to offer a true value-added service.”

The I.C.E. program is designed to help industry professionals deal with their customers’ or their own organizations’ likely budget cuts. Custodial operations around the country are being asked to reduce labor budgets by 5 percent to 10 percent, and it has become increasingly evident that such reductions cannot be accomplished by supply-price decreases alone. Professionals who wish to position themselves as an indispensable resource need to be armed with advanced operational and budgetary knowledge. Understanding the need to evaluate, reduce, and redeploy the work force is the most promising way to meet such budget reductions, and I.C.E.-workshop attendees are provided crucial information that will help them in this regard. In fact, past attendees have reported saving customers more than six figures annually by helping them comply with CIMS.

To become a CIMS expert, professionals within the cleaning industry must attend a one-day workshop and pass an examination regarding the management elements contained in the Standard. The CIMS-expert designation is earned by and applies to an individual rather than an entire organization.

ISSA will host its final 2009 I.C.E. workshop on October 5-6, in conjunction with ISSA/INTERCLEAN^® North America 2009, October 6-9, McCormick Place South, Chicago, IL. Please note that this session will take place on the afternoon of October 5 and the morning of October 6. Visit www.issa.com/standard for more information on the upcoming workshop.

Details regarding CIMS or becoming a CIMS expert are available at www.issa.com/standard or by contacting ISSA Market Development Manager-Facility Service Programs Annie Balonick at 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800; e-mail, annie@issa.com.

About Certification

To become certified, an organization must submit written documentation supporting its compliance with the requirements described in the five key sections of the Standard. An independent, accredited assessor then conducts an on-site review of the applicant’s systems, processes, and documentation to ensure compliance. To achieve certification, an organization must meet 100 percent of the mandatory elements and 60 percent of the recommended elements, per section.

There are currently 32 organizations that have achieved certification. Other organizations interested in pursuing certification are encouraged to submit an application to officially enroll in the program. For more information or to download an application, please visit www.issa.com/standard. The CIMS Certification Guide, which helps organizations better understand what is required to comply with the Standard, is also available to provide more in-depth explanations of how to meet the Standard’s various requirements.

Keynote & Featured Speakers Picked for ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America 2009

Acclaimed advertising guru and television personality Donny Deutsch will deliver the keynote address at ISSA/INTERCLEAN^® North America 2009 on Thursday, October 8, 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., while legendary professional football coach Mike Ditka will speak at one of the show’s featured sessions on Wednesday, October 7, 9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

This year’s ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America event takes place at McCormick Place South, Chicago, IL, October 6-9.

“ISSA is excited to offer our attendees two impactful speakers at this year’s show in Chicago,” said ISSA President Bob Stahurski. “These leaders from the business and sports worlds will deliver top-quality presentations to help ISSA/INTERCLEAN attendees formulate their own bright ideas in these challenging economic times when they are needed the most.”

Deutsch has hosted some of America’s most influential entrepreneurs and business titans during the past four years on his CNBC talk show, The Big Idea With Donny Deutsch. Deutsch has uncovered their secrets to success and turned his own big ideas into winning campaigns for his clients as chairman of Deutsch, Inc., one of the top-10 advertising agencies in the United States. In his keynote address, Deutsch will share his most important findings with ISSA/INTERCLEAN attendees and explain why now is the best time to unleash their best ideas on the cleaning industry.

Ditka’s speech, sponsored by Activeion Cleaning Solutions, LLC, will center on The Leadership A.C.E. — Attitude, Character, and Enthusiasm. The renowned coach’s powerful presentation will highlight the key characteristics that individuals need to achieve their personal and professional goals. Ditka will offer tips that attendees can immediately implement to make a difference in their daily lives.

More details about the speakers, ISSA’s comprehensive educational conference, and other exciting aspects of ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America 2009 can be found in the event-registration book at www.issa.com/brochure.

Registration for ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America 2009 is available online at www.issa.com/register. Attendees should also consider booking accommodations now, as ISSA and its official housing agent, Ambassadors, have negotiated newly reduced room rates with Chicago hotels. Reservations can be made through the ISSA Web site at www.issa.com/hotels.

Calendar

September 21, CIMS I.C.E. Workshop. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Marlborough, MA (hosted by the New England Sanitary Supply Association).

October 5-6, CIMS I.C.E. Workshop. McCormick Place South, Chicago, IL (held in conjunction with ISSA/INTERCLEAN^® North America 2009).

October 6-9, ISSA/INTERCLEAN^® North America 2009. McCormick Place South, Chicago, IL.

October 27-28, Ninth Antimicrobial Workshop. Doubletree Hotel Crystal City, Arlington, VA.

All information in "ISSA Reports" is furnished by ISSA. ©2009. All rights reserved.