Facility Managers Prioritize Clean Buildings Conference  

Yes, Baltimore, Maryland, is the 20th largest metropolitan area in the country. It’s also home to some of the earliest National Register Historic Districts in the nation, and the city displays more public statues and monuments per capita than any other city. It's the birthplace of Babe Ruth, Tom Clancy, and Thurgood Marshall, and it's the home of Johns Hopkins Hospital, the iconic Camden Yards, Under Armour, M&T Bank Stadium, and the Inner Harbor where various war vessels serve as reminders of the city's rich history. 

Visitors to Baltimore will find no shortage of sites to see in this bustling city, but on March 11-14, it's the Baltimore Convention Center that will be getting all the foot traffic. In-house facility cleaning managers, along with building service contractors (BSCs), will travel from far and wide to attend the 2024 Clean Buildings Conference, a premier educational conference and product expo specifically designed for the cleaning industry. 

Produced by Trade Press Media Group (TPMG), parent company of Facility Cleaning Decisions and CleanLink.com, Clean Buildings Conference will host leading industry professionals from across the country who will share valuable insights and perspectives on the cleaning industry. 

“We are proud to emphasize our commitment to providing the latest education and product information for the cleaning industry,” says Wendy Dietzler, senior director of events at TPMG. “With more than 20 expert-led education sessions, over 75 exhibitors, and at least 225 cutting-edge cleaning products on display, Clean Buildings Conference is not just a conference; it's a dynamic platform for facility cleaning managers and BSCs to stay at the forefront of industry trends.” 

Joining the effort is the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) — the leading association for contract cleaning and facility maintenance contractors — who have signed on as a supporting sponsor for the event. Their involvement will emphasize a strong opportunity to unite suppliers and buyers. 

“We are excited to collaborate with BSCAI, aiming to strengthen the commercial cleaning industry,” says Laurie Vega, cleaning group publisher at TPMG. “The Clean Buildings Conference provides a platform for meaningful connections, innovation and business growth, and this strategic partnership will help foster a dynamic and collaborative environment between cleaning professionals and industry suppliers.” 

Highlighting education, the event will begin on Monday, March 11, with a can’t-miss workshop offering. In “Getting to the Power of Wow,” attendees will learn how to change the cleaning narrative and better promote themselves and their teams to potential customers.   

The conference will officially start on Tuesday, March 12, with a robust “Women in Cleaning” panel discussion. Open to all attendees, conversations will touch on leadership challenges, industry involvement, and promoting cleaning to younger professionals, before closing with an open Q&A with the audience. 

Education sessions — conveniently organized into three tracks: Training & Technology, Cleaning Operations, and Business Management — will immediately follow and run throughout the morning. Featured are breakout sessions and panel discussions on topics such as how to prepare for the next pandemic, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) updates, and worker safety, all led by cleaning industry subject matter experts. 

Sessions will be followed immediately by an exciting and robust expo event where attendees can engage with leading vendors in the cleaning industry. On hand will be representatives from suppliers of the most recent cleaning solutions and chemicals, floor and carpet cleaning tools, restroom care items, sustainability offerings, and more. Additional education will also be available in the expo hall in the Product Zone area. 

Capping off the day is the fun and always-popular Opening Night Networking Reception where attendees can rub elbows with other cleaning professionals from around the country, CleanLink staff, education speakers, product innovators, and more. 

On Wednesday, March 13, the education sessions are a must-see for managers looking to grow their knowledge base and move their department forward. Check out how to clean effectively without compromising on sustainability. Then, pop into the expo hall to learn about the latest and greatest cleaning tools before hitting up education again in the afternoon for training on leadership techniques that work. 

Although the show is officially closed on Thursday, March 14, one educational workshop remains for attendees looking for “Train the Trainer” guidance. The seminar will provide attendees with effective instructional techniques to help teach management and functional skills quickly and painlessly.  

As if this lineup isn’t strong enough, Clean Buildings Conference will coincide with the very popular National Facilities Management & Technology (NFMT) Conference and Expo. NFMT is America's largest facilities management show since 2001, attracting more than 3,000 building owners, facilities managers and maintenance/operations managers, as well as 300 exhibiting companies. Clean Buildings Conference attendees will have free access into the co-located NFMT expo hall where they can explore facilities and maintenance product innovations, as well as network with professionals in their field.  

"'Innovations in Cleaning' will be evident throughout the show and will address the benefits of implementing industry-wide cutting-edge solutions, transformative technologies, and forward-thinking strategies in order to foster an environment that not only highlights the latest advancements but also propels the cleaning sector into a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient future," says Dietzler. 

Corinne Zudonyi is the Editor-in-Chief of Facility Cleaning Decisions, Contracting Profits, and Sanitary Maintenance magazines, as well as CleanLink.com.