This fall, facility/custodial managers should get ready to hit it big in Las Vegas — and not just at the blackjack tables or slot machines, either. ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America is hitting Sin City Oct. 18 to 21 and managers can expect to see the latest product innovations, educate themselves on business issues and cleaning trends, and network with suppliers and colleagues.

This year's theme is "The Start of Something Big" and ISSA is making good on that promise with a host of new features, renowned speakers and plenty of fun events.

"Those who stay at the office because they are concerned they can't afford the time out of the field may miss an opportunity that doubles, even triples, their chance to improve their business," says Dianna Bisswurm, director of industry outreach for ISSA, Lincolnwood, Ill. (Listen as Steve Spencer, facility manager at State Farm Insurance, explains why it is important for facility managers to attend the show.)

Show Highlights

Taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the "One Show for the Cleaning Industry" gives managers access to new products and top executives from more than 600 manufacturers. But the expansive trade show floor is just the start.

New to this year's show is the ISSAtv Live area. Managers are already familiar with ISSAtv online videos; now they can get the same quality information live at the show. Many of the same speakers from ISSA's online video library will present short educational sessions or cleaning demonstrations live on the show floor throughout the week.  

Attending ISSA/INTERCLEAN shouldn't be all work and no play, especially when the trade show comes to the Entertainment Capital of the World. There will be plenty of opportunities for attendees to relax and network with industry peers.

The week kicks off with the annual golf tournament on Monday, Oct. 17. Then on Tuesday, Oct. 18, Don Aslett, founder of the Museum of Clean, will tell the history of cleaning in his presentation, "The Journey of Clean," during the All-Industry Networking Lunch. Another opportunity to "eat and greet" will be Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Show Floor Roundtable Lunch. (See Schedule At A Glance for detailed information.)

After seeing products from the hundreds of manufacturers on the show floor, attendees can take a stroll through the past in the Then and Now Product Showcase. ISSA is partnering with the Don Aslett Museum of Clean to display antique cleaning products alongside some of today's cutting edge innovations.

Managers will also have a voice in deciding the most innovative products of the year. Attendees can vote in the Innovation Award Program for the best products in five categories: cleaning agents, equipment, paper and plastics, service and technology and supplies. Voting is open at www.issa.com/vote until Sept. 30. Winners will be announced just prior to the show and will be displayed on the show floor.

 

Get Educated

No other convention provides jan/san executives with access to quality education sessions from business leaders, entrepreneurs and cleaning industry experts all in the same week like ISSA does.

"Management guru" and best-selling author Tom Peters will give this year's keynote address on Oct. 20. Peters is best known for his book, "In Search of Excellence," which was honored in 1999 by National Public Radio as one of the "Top Three Business Books of the Century." His speech at ISSA/INTERCLEAN will share how managers can get their message to permeate everything they do and what important qualities every employee should possess.

"Tom's value is in tapping decades of business lessons from some of the most successful companies in the world, distilled down to advice every executive can find useful," says Bisswurm.

Peters may be the "big" attraction, but ISSA has other featured speakers lined up for the other days of the convention as well. On Oct. 18, Vince Lombardi Jr., leadership speaker and son of the famous former coach of the Green Bay Packers, will inspire and motivate attendees with his session on high-performance people.

Robert Stephens, founder of the Geek Squad and chief technology officer for Best Buy will share his success story on Wednesday, Oct. 19, and also teach attendees how creative ideas can make a company stand out from the crowd.

A trip to Las Vegas wouldn't be complete without a discussion about gambling, right? But this session isn't about how to play poker, rather how poker principles apply to business. Professional Poker Player Annie Duke will discuss how bluffing can be an essential part of business on Friday, Oct. 21.

In addition to these featured sessions, there are more than 30 other educational seminars for attendees to choose from. Some highlights include "Practice What You Preach: Steps to Becoming Sustainable" with Stephen Ashkin and David Holly; "Target Your Customers by Understanding What Drives Them" with Michel Theriault; and "Driving Profit in the New Economy" with Dr. Al Bates. These three sessions are being sponsored by Housekeeping Solutions and its sister publications Contracting Profits and Sanitary Maintenance.

Once again, managers will have the opportunity to help steer the content of the educational sessions and keynote speech. All summer long attendees can submit questions for the speakers to address during the presentations to ensure they are getting the information they need while attending the show.

Stay Updated With Technology

Managers can make the most of their show experiences by planning ahead and tapping into their technological devices. After registering, attendees can add the education sessions and events they plan on attending into their Microsoft Outlook calendar right from ISSA's website.

Also available on the site is a full listing of exhibitors. Attendees can browse through the list alphabetically or sort by product category or special pavilion to determine exactly which manufacturers they want to visit at the show. Starting 45 days prior to ISSA/INTERCLEAN, attendees will also be able to set up meetings with specific exhibitors during the show right from their registration dashboard.

To help navigate the large show floor, attendees can download ISSA's mobile app starting in September at www.issa.com/app. With the tool, attendees can customize their own agenda and use GPS navigation to find exact routes to booths while walking the show floor, says Bisswurm.

Attendees with mobile devices also can easily check in with the office or read their e-mails in the Recharge Lounge. Offering free Wi-Fi, this lounge is a great place to relax, check messages or recharge laptops and phones (attendees can also just grab a chair and recharge their own personal batteries). Those without mobile technology can check their e-mails at the ISSA Internet Café.

With so many exhibitors, education sessions and networking opportunities crammed into one "big" week, it's clear that managers attending ISSA/INTERCLEAN will have hit the jackpot.

"Attendees should be mindful of the chance to turn the show into the single largest showroom of hands-on opportunities to test equipment and speak to technical experts," says Bisswurm. 

For more information about the show, click here.

Dan Weltin is the editor-in-chief of Sanitary Maintenance and Contracting Profits magazines, sister publications to Housekeeping Solutions.




POSTED ON: 9/18/2011