Las Vegas. It’s one of the world’s most popular vacation and entertainment destinations. Its name, which translates to “the meadows” in Spanish, conjures up images of slot machines and gaming tables, showgirls, grandiose entertainment, buffets, wedding chapels and sprawling golf courses. This year, in-house service providers, building service contractors and distributors may have to include the Las Vegas Convention Center on that list, as many of them will be spending time there for the 2008 ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America Trade Show and Convention.

The show runs from Monday, September 8 to Thursday, September 11, and will attract cleaning professionals from all over the country. In addition to all that the city has to offer as a tourist destination, show attendees will be blown away by the countless opportunities found within the four walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Some of those many offerings include:

Keynote Address

Who says that business always has to be serious? Living up to this year’s theme, “Business Not As Usual,” ISSA selected renowned American comedian Dr. Bill Cosby as the keynote speaker.

During his address, “It’s Your Job To Feel Good,” on Wednesday, September 10 at 8:30 a.m., Dr. Cosby will ask attendees to put away the financial statements, set aside customer complaints, and join him on a journey to find the true, and often funny, fundamentals of working life. He’ll ponder what the world would be like without our jobs and why more people should focus on the personal side of business, especially in the cleaning industry. According to Dr. Cosby, “You better love what you do, otherwise it sure won’t love you.”

All-Industry Networking Lunch

The most successful people are those who recognize their resources and tap into them. While some are born with certain gifts, others must be cultivated and nurtured to reach their full potential.

On Monday, September 8 from noon to 1:30 p.m., Molly Cox will discuss “Talent, Energy, and Connections! Why You Should Use Everything You’ve Got.” (Separate registration fee; registration required)

On The Show Floor

The educational and networking opportunities continue once the show floor opens. During the show hours (Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) attendees will find something for everyone.

Green Connection Pavilion

New to the show this year, the Green Connection Pavilion provides the latest in environmentally-focused services and organizations. Attendees will find consulting, services, memberships, certifications, accreditations, compliance resources, training, plus information on green and environmentally-friendly practices.

Product Innovation Competition

Located in the Innovation Area, all product innovation entries will be on display, along with videos and accompanying literature. Attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorites in exchange for a free lunch. And, for attendees looking for some action, interactive sports games will be on hand to get the competitive juices flowing.

IEHA Housekeeping Olympics

Get ready for all the excitement of the first-ever IEHA Housekeeping Olympics. More than 600 people will converge on the trade show floor where they’ll compete in five activities: upright vacuum relays, mop tossing, backpack vacuum races, bed-making competitions and floor pad tossing. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 10 from noon to 3:30 p.m. You won’t want to miss a minute of this high-energy action.

Show Floor Happy Hour

Before you attend this year’s Show Floor Happy Hour, you better prepare yourself for 60 minutes of high-flying action. That’s because along with all the great eating, drinking, and networking, you’re going to be dazzled by the grace of a Cirque-style aerial silk act, confounded by contortionists and stunned by synchronized Chinese pole performers. Happy Hour is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Educational Seminars

For those attendees looking for additional educational opportunities, these half-hour sessions are held at the ISSA Education Theater.

Tuesday, September 9

11:30 a.m. The Status Of Green In Schools: How Will Your Business Be Affected By The Green Cleaning Schools Act?
12:30 p.m. FTE’s — A Fresh Approach To An Old Challenge
1:30 p.m. Session to be determined
2:30 p.m. A LEED-EB Update
3:30 p.m. Managing Your Multicultural Workforce
4:30 p.m. The Newly Revised GS-37 — Are The Changes Still New To You?

Wednesday, September 10

10:30 a.m. The Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS): Achieve Distinction Through Certification
11:30 a.m. Is Going Green The Best Choice For Your Business?
12:30 p.m. Green Paperwork: How To Define Environmentally Preferable Bath And Tissue Papers
1:30 p.m. Leadership: How To Keep All Your “Fishies” In A Row
2:30 p.m. Do Clean Universities Really Make A Difference In Student Learning?
3:30 p.m. Session to be determined

Thursday, September 11

10:30 a.m. “Ask the Experts Live”
11:30 a.m. Cause Related Marketing: Do Good Better By Doing Good

Many visitors pack as much as possible into their Vegas vacations — and the same can be said for this years ISSA/INTERCLEAN experience. With countless educational opportunities, entertainment and networking events, in addition to the show itself, there are plenty of events that will keep attendees busy. In the same way that it is hard to resist not going back to the buffet for seconds, it’s encouraged to pile on as many experiences as possible while at the show.

 

EDUCATION SEMINARS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Seven Industry Mega-Trends Impacting Your Business, The Future Of Our Industry
Speaker: John Delany

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
It’s Not E-Commerce, It’s R-Commerce
Speaker: Terry Brock

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Industry Career Coach Panel: Adding Value Through Effective Management And CIMS
Speaker: TBD

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Green Cleaning Fundamentals: Overcoming Confusion And Getting Down To Business
Speaker: Stephen Ashkin
Sponsored by Housekeeping Solutions

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Profitable Growth In Turbulent Economic Times
Speaker: Michael Marks

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Improving Your Quality Control IQ
Speaker: Charles Crowe

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Sales Tips For Supporting Green Schools
Speaker: Rochelle Davis

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Building An Effective Redistribution Program
Speaker: Dave DeWalt

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Competing For Sales Talent: Finding Knockouts, Not Knockoffs
Speaker: Bryan Arzani
Sponsored by Sanitary Maintenance

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Beyond Clean: Advanced Environmental Discussion For Executives
Speaker: Stephen Ashkin

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
A Best Practice Approach To Innovation And New Product Introduction
Speaker: Michael Marks

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The Skills Of Motivation: Bring Out The Best In Yourself And Others
Speaker: Peter Land

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Selling Services: Inside The Head Of The New Purchasing Manager
Speaker: Jim Haining

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Pocket-Sized Technology: Packing A Powerful Punch
Speaker: Terry Brock

4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
7th Annual Women’s Forum Session: Improvise This!
Speaker: Molly Cox

4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Distributor Peer Exchange Session: Powering Goals From The Bottom Up: Action Plans For Distribution Managers
Group Discussion

4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Creating An Uncontestable Business Model
Speaker: Dave Frank

4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
BSC Peer Exchange Session: Cleaning NOT As Usual — Profit Through Diversifying Your Business
Sponsored by Contracting Profits
Panel Discussion

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
The Bigness Of Smallness
Speaker: John Moore

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Succession: Are You Ready To Pass The Mantle?
Speaker: Bart Basi
Sponsored by Contracting Profits

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
How To Sell Green Cleaning Without Greenwashing
Speaker: Scot Case

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Legal Quiz Show & Sing-Along: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Employment Law
Speaker: Mark Toth

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Contented Cows Give Better Milk
Speaker: Richard Hadden

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Supervisor Skill Builder: Avoiding People-Skill Pitfalls
Speaker: Nancye Combs

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
How To Win Whether You’re Buying Or Selling Your Company
Speaker: Bart Basi

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
From Floating Cities To Your Facility: Pandemic Preparedness
Sponsored by Sanitary Maintenance
Speaker: Dave Forney

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Growth! The Right Reason And Right Time
Speaker: Don Aslett

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
From Here To Sustainability: Profits And Pitfalls Of The Green Economy
Speaker: Joel Makower

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

8 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
The Brighter Side Of The Broom
Speaker: Don Aslett

9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Bidding and Estimating Cleaning Costs In 2008
Speaker: William Griffin

 

Las Vegas At A Glance

The burgeoning city of more than half a million people — with an estimated 2 million in the surrounding county area — provides access to countless opportunities for food and fun.

More than anything, Las Vegas is associated with gambling. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 86 percent of visitors said they gambled during their stays. The average amount spent gambling was $627 per visitor, who gambled an average of 3 hours per day. A majority of visitors, 59 percent, prefer slots, with Blackjack coming in second at 18 percent.

Beyond the slot machines and table games, visitors can find an array of free entertainment on The Strip. Pirate shows, erupting volcanos, vast gardens, Grecian wars and water set to music are just a few of the more popular attractions.

For a small fee, visitors can also take a romantic gondola ride, visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, view world-renowned art at various museums, enjoy an underwater experience at the aquarium, or enjoy the thrill of a roller coaster.

Beyond entertainment, Las Vegas is known for it’s nightlife and dining. Once the sun goes down, the city comes alive with countless theatrical and music performances that are guaranteed to entertain.

Dining options are sure to tempt every tastebud. From steakhouses to sushi bars, the variety of fare offers a suitable dinning experience for convention goers to enjoy.

In addition to the popular buffets found in a variety of hotels, restaurant fare is available in Asian, French, Japanese, Italian, North American, Mexican, seafood and steakhouses, to name a few.

Truly, there is something for everyone in the city that never sleeps.




POSTED ON: 8/1/2008