Verona. Image of Verona, Italy during summer sunset.

The 25th edition of ISSA PULIRE, the international trade show dedicated to cleaning, sanitization and integrated services, was recently held in Verona, Italy. The opening ceremony in the presence of the representatives of ISSA and Afidamp officially kicked off the fair, which hosted almost 300 exhibitors in early September. 

There was an atmosphere of trust among the exhibitors for the return of in-person events after more than a year and a half of absence from the fairs. ISSA PULIRE was the first show in the professional cleaning and sanitizing sector to be celebrated in its original form since the beginning of the pandemic. 

The novelty of this edition is the ISSA PULIRE THEATER which was animated by the service companies and the associations during the first two days. One morning was dedicated to the hotel and food service sectors. Some of the hot topics discussed by the speakers were: new management models of the housekeeping service, food safety and the importance of the professionals who manage and carry out the cleaning service in hotels and restaurants. In the afternoon, on the other hand, topics included innovation in a context in which the service to buildings, especially in the cleaning, hygiene and sanitizing sector, acquires new value, becoming fundamental for the protection of the health and safety of everyone. 

Safety and Health were the central themes of the second day which opened with an important intervention by ONBSI on healthcare-related infections by Andrea Laguardia - ONBSI President, Prof Giorgio Vittadini - President of the Foundation for Subsidiarity, Prof Walter Ricciardi – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dr. Fidelia Cascini - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Dr. Paolo Berta - Foundation for Subsidiarity. 

One of the arguments highlighted by several important speakers, such as Prof Walter Ricciardi Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Prof Giorgio Vittadini - President Fondazione per la Sussidiarietà, Prof. Massimo Clementi - Full Professor of Microbiology and Virology, Vice-Chancellor of University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan , Dr. Roberto Lombardi - Technologic Innovation department, INAIL Rome and Dr. Camillo Falvo - Chief Public Prosecutor Vibo Valentia Court is that of budget cuts in the healthcare sector and the need to change strategy in healthcare spending. The cleaning service must not be considered as a mere cost, but as an investment, in sanitation and in professional training of the staff which therefore benefits the health of both patients and health personnel. 

Service companies too have highlighted the need to invest in training for sector employees, but also in research and innovative strategies as the backbone of their current commitment.