NJSSA, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Cleaning Experts recently held its biannual tradeshow, deeming the event a success despite the “monsoon rains” that threatened attendance on the first day.

More than 1,100 jan/san industry members attended the two-day event, held at the Taj Mahal Etess Arena, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Among the attendees included distributors, cleaning professionals and manufacturer exhibitors.

“We are encouraged that close to 20 percent of our attendance came from the building services contractor segments,” says NJSSA president, Steve Lentini. “This number has increased significantly from 2012.”

Lentini adds that conference attendance was up 5 percent, overall.
 
Besides networking and other activities provided on the show floors, guests participated in several educational offerings, including seiminars on ISSA ICE Certification, hosted by Jim Peduto of the American Institute of Cleaning Sciences, and Dan Wagner of ISSA; a seminar on CIMS certification, also hosted by Wagner; two sessions on distributor sales hosted by Tim Kerin; and a seminar on successful sales communications, hosted by Lentini. 


NJSSA Golf Outing
A golf outing at the Harbor Pines Golf Club kicked off the event, where 46 golfers teed off in support of the ISSA/NJSSA Member Scholarship Fund. Ultimately, the team from Sheppard Industries was awarded first place. 

Several sponsors also supported the fundraiser, including The Safety Zone, Seko Dosing, R3Tec, Americo Manufacturing, Misco Products, Norshel Industries, South Jersey Auctions, Samco, Borax Paper, and Dreumex.


President’s Reception & Membership Meeting
Lentini welcomed exhibitors and members to the President’s Reception, held inside the Taj Mahal. In addition to reporting on the state of the association, Lentini presented a President’s Plaque to Dan Josephs of Spruce Industries for his service as NJSSA president for two years. Michael Tighe of Industrial Cleaning Distributors — and a candidate for an executive position with ISSA — also addressed the crowd.

During the reception, Jon Scoles of Scoles Floorshine was presented with the 2014 Bob Stader Award by Lentini and Ann Stader, widow of the late Bob Stader.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award and to have spent my career in the jan/san industry,” said Scoles upon the honor. “I have made many friends and have enjoyed my involvement with NJSSA and ISSA and I encourage the next generation of cleaning professionals to get involved, as well.”


NJSSA wishes to thank the following show sponsors: 


•    Legacy Converting
•    Hoover/TTI Floorcare
•    MISCO
•    Banner Chemical
•    Rainbow Dusters
•    ACS Industries
•    Berk Wiper
•    Church & Dwight
•    Cleanmax/Tacony