In light of economic woes and tightened expenditures, non-essentials have been cut from most departmental budgets. In most cases, travel tops the list of non-essentials, unless that travel includes the opportunity for countless educational and training sessions, new product reviews and contact with industry representatives.

Attendees at this year's ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America show, held November 9 to 12 in Orlando, Fla., will get the biggest bang for their buck thanks to a number of new offerings, as well as a few returning favorites.

Keeping with the theme, "All About You," attendees can look forward to opportunities designed with them in mind. Some include: more streamlined planning offerings, a more interactive experience, a strong portfolio of speakers and educational seminars, a heavy focus on green and sustainability and an extensive show floor.

"ISSA believes that if we can help our attendees ensure the education is tailored to their needs, then the ISSA/INTERCLEAN event will provide a stronger return on their investment," says Dianna Bisswurm, ISSA director of industry outreach.

Plan For Success

Prior to the show, registrants can prepare for success using some of the new search and scheduling offerings available through www.issa.com.

Once registered for the Orlando show, individuals have access to a full listing of educational and training offerings available throughout the conference. Those who identify favorite seminars or events of interest can save them to their Outlook schedule straight from www.issa.com/schedule. And for those who are slower to commit to a set schedule so early in the game, printable agendas of all sessions are also available directly from the site.

Also available online is a full listing of the more than 650 exhibitors (including more than 100 new exhibitors) presenting at this year's show. At www.issa.com/exhibitors, registrants can identify companies of interest, peruse their customized pages for contact information, brochures, videos and meeting requests and create personalized floor plans in preparation for the event.

For attendees that are more interested in a specific product category vs. particular manufacturers, search options are available through the exhibitor-recommendation tool. For instance, those looking for "floor machines," simply search using those keywords and all exhibitors offering a product in that category will be listed. Users can also search by product name, company description, exhibitor name or booth number.

Mobile users will also have an advantage at this year's show. New in 2010, a mobile exhibit directory will be available for download as early as Nov. 1. This tool will provide quick access to exhibitor information and location on the show floor. Simple exhibit maps can also be accessed on hand-held devices using the free Wi-Fi available throughout the exhibit hall and in meeting rooms.

Personalized Training

With nearly 40 educational sessions, seminars and workshops available, attendees in search of training opportunities need to look no further. With topics ranging from certifications, management strategies and teamwork to customer service, green fundamentals and emerging facility markets, attendees are bound to compile a full list of training benefits.

Notable sessions scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 9 and sponsored by Housekeeping Solutions and its sister publications, Sanitary Maintenance and Contracting Profits, include: "Pricing Optimization: New Tools to Increase Distributor Profitability," presented by Dr. Barry Lawrence; "Preventing Slips, Trips & Falls," presented by Steve Spencer; "Green Cleaning Fundamentals: Overcoming Confusion and Getting Down to Business," presented by Stephen Ashkin; "New Opportunities in the Health Care Facility Market," presented by Ian Greig and Christopher Cracknell; and "The Future of GreenÉWhere Are We Going?," also presented by Ashkin.

Once on the show floor, attendees will benefit from a number of breakout sessions at the Education Theatre. Among some of the many offerings are Alan Bigger's "Beyond White Gloves Inspection" outlining the various methods utilized to measure levels of cleanliness, and Casey Wick's "Green to Gold-Practical Interpretation and Implementation of LEED Requirements in Professional Cleaning Operations," which will offer a realistic road map to implementing sustainable practices with an emphasis on LEED Gold requirements in custodial, housekeeping and environmental service operations.

Adding inspiration to innovation, featured speaker and football great Joe Theismann will discuss the "Challenge of Change" on Wednesday, Nov. 10. This presentation will address how jan/san personnel can tackle change by keeping a positive mental outlook and committing to a vision that encourages growth.

To further emphasize the "All About You" theme, ISSA is also offering ways to help personalize these educational programs. New this year, attendees are now offered the opportunity to submit questions for any of the 2010 speakers. Speakers will then incorporate as many questions as possible into their presentations. To submit questions, visit www.yourissashow.com.

In addition to submitting questions for the educational sessions, attendees were encouraged to also present questions that will help shape the keynote address. This year's keynote speaker, Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, will personally select questions to answer during his presentation on Thursday, Nov. 11.

"We are pleased that such a prominent figure has requested input from our attendees so he may address their interests," says Bisswurm.

Those whose questions were selected by Blair have won specialty seating during his address for themselves and one guest, plus a personal photo opportunity with him.

Returning Favorites

In 2009, ISSA unveiled the Green Connections Center in Chicago as a way to spotlight the need to connect cleaning with the health of building occupants, as well as demonstrate the positive environmental outcomes related to green cleaning. This addition to the show was such a huge success that it will again be offered throughout the three-day conference in Orlando.

In the heart of the show floor, the Green Connections Center will feature product displays, research reports and live demonstrations in a full-sized mock restroom, classroom or special office setting. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and address updates to green standards. Case studies and white papers will also be available, for free, to attendees.

"This area not only makes it easier to find key information in a single location, but also supports ISSA's goals of promoting the value of cleaning in protecting occupant health," says Bisswurm.

Adding a new twist to this returning favorite, a putting green stationed in the Green Connections Center will offer attendees a break from the show. A golf pro will be on hand to offer putting tips between cleaning demonstrations and those attendees who participate can enter to win a pro golf bag.

In addition to the Green Connections Center, ISSA will again offer show attendees various opportunities to network with peers. The annual Networking Lunch, "Cracking the Networking CODE," will be presented by Dean Lindsay and will cover how to use networking opportunities to build influential business relationships. Taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at noon, pre-registered attendees are encouraged to spread out, meet with new faces and capitalize on this unique experience.

The networking opportunities continue during show hours: on Thursday, Nov. 11, the second annual Show Floor Roundtable Lunch will be held at noon. Table leaders will be on hand to guide conversations and suggest topics of discussion covering all aspects of the cleaning industry. Separate registration is required for this opportunity.

Finally, don't miss out on the Show Floor Happy Hour, also on Thursday. There will be live karaoke and an assortment of distributors, end users, manufacturers and media, all from various areas of the cleaning industry on hand. All attendees are welcome and encouraged to wind down after a full day on the show floor.

These various networking opportunities are a great way to share ideas and discuss industry trends with people who bring a variety of perspectives to the conversation.

Product Innovations

In addition to the countless product offerings available from the more than 650 exhibitors, 49 standout products have been highlighted as innovations to the industry. Those products, nominated for ISSA's 2010 Innovation Award, fall within five categories: Chemicals; Paper/Plastics; Power Equipment; Services, Technology & Other; and Supplies/Accessories.

Award winners were determined by industry votes and those receiving the highest amount of votes were announced in early October. All Innovation Award nominees will also be on display throughout the show.

Overall, ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America 2010 is more than just a trip to Orlando. It is time and money well spent. Attendees will be exposed to new and innovative products, meet manufacturer representatives, receive product and business training, attend workshops, education and certification courses and network with peers. Attendees at this year's show will come home with a wealth of valuable information that will bring departments to that next level.