2022 Year In Review:

Howie Do It in the Cleaning Industry

2022 was an exciting year of firsts for ISSA and the cleaning industry with the launch of the Rethink What Clean Means campaign. Developed to ignite consumers and businesses to reevaluate their standard of clean, ISSA launched this campaign in September with a consumer focus featuring comedian, actor, and self-described germaphobe, Howie Mandel. The consumer campaign featured the “Howie Clean It” video miniseries through paid social media, publisher partnerships, and influencers. Since the launch, results have been impressive:

  • 430+ million impressions across earned media
  • 73+ million impressions plus 47 million video views via paid media
  • 8+ million views of the “Howie Clean It” video miniseries on YouTube
  • Thousands of visits daily to the rethinkclean.org website.

At the end of 2022, we shifted to a B2B focus that will continue through June of 2023. This B2B focus is for our members and provides the materials and tools needed to share the message with your customers, staff, and partners. Our industry benefits from strength in numbers, and as the world contends with health risks from influenza, RSV, and continued COVID-19 concerns, it’s imperative that we articulate how cleaning for health is essential to protect the public—together. Members can access to the Rethink Clean Member Toolkit by logging into their myISSA account. If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact our customer service team at 800-225-4772.

Read on for a look back at how our various ISSA groups and departments successfully worked together to help change the way the world views cleaning.

Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC)

The momentum continued for GBAC in 2022 with 317 companies achieving GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation for the first time, and 87% or 2,676 successfully completing reaccreditation. GBAC STAR™ Registered Accreditation was awarded to 13 companies for their technologies and nine company programs.

Several of the newly accredited facilities included PATH Train Stations, Chicago White Sox Stadium, and The Prince Hotel Group. The reaccredited companies included American Airlines, Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta; Paycom Center in Oklahoma City; Music City in Nashville; Las Vegas Convention Center and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas; John F. Kennedy International Airport and all the airports at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and Boston Symphony Hall owned and operated by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Over 1,200 Hyatt hotels in Australia, China, India, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States achieved GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation, and each hotel designated at least one “hygiene and well-being leader” who successfully completed GBAC workforce development training.

ISSA, with GBAC support, was one of 14 nonprofits nationwide to be awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for workplace safety and health training on infectious diseases in the workplace. Training will be conducted in English, Spanish, Polish, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Haitian Creole. Under the grant, ISSA will offer a three-hour in-person training workshop at 30 designated training centers. ISSA plans to utilize this first federal government-aided training as the jumping-off point for a long-term five-year workforce development program and is looking for industry organizations to financially partner to achieve a goal of training one million essential cleaning professionals.

GBAC STAR Destination program continued to expand in 2022 which positions communities to demonstrate their dedication to health, wellness, and resilience. Visit Baltimore, Visit Dallas, Explore Edmonton, Discover Palm Beaches and other Chambers of Commerce and Tourism Bureaus identified and facilitated GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation for key industry locations within their community.

GBAC held an inaugural symposium on air considerations that focused on improving the quality of indoor air featuring keynote presentations from Dr. Deborah Birx, former White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, and Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards LTD., an international standards and certification body.

GBAC also provided instrumental training through GBAC Academy. The Academy’s online learning portal is designed for professionals who want to prepare for, respond to, and recover from biological threats in the workplace. In 2022, GBAC developed and launched 11 new training courses:

  • GBAC Fundamentals Course 2.0
  • GBAC-Trained Technician Renewal 2022
  • Healthier Buildings Awareness Course (Allergy Standards Limited & GBAC)
  • Infectious Disease Awareness in the Workplace
  • Event Planning Considerations for GBAC STAR
  • Airport Best Practices for Cleaning for Health
  • Writing high-quality Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Audits & Inspections for GBAC STAR
  • Risk Assessment & Mitigation for GBAC STAR
  • Workplace Safety and Health: Chain of Infection

As part of its commitment to being at the forefront of today’s and tomorrow’s biorisks, GBAC also kept the industry updated on the latest developments related to cleaning for health and infectious diseases in the workplace with 217 videos that had over 63,000 views. Meanwhile, GBAC STAR Report is a monthly e-newsletter featuring unique GBAC-related content for all professionals interested in staying current on infection prevention and control.

A new course, “Infectious Disease Awareness in the Workplace: COVID-19 Considerations,” launched in December to reinforce infectious disease awareness and the important role that cleaning for health plays.

The GBAC programs continue to demonstrate the strong need for proper cleaning and hygiene in our communities and facilities. GBAC’s accreditation programs, resources, training, and education support cleaning industry professionals.

Education

ISSA’s Education team launched a new division in 2022 called ISSA Consulting. This division is focused on implementing lasting change for in-house Service providers, building service contractors, and facility managers. Since its launch, ISSA Consulting has worked with numerous members and looks forward to furthering the success of even more in 2023.

At ISSA Show North America 2022, ISSA Consulting launched the Official Cleaning Times Validation program for manufacturers to have their product authenticated and included in ISSA’s Official Cleaning Times and Tasks guidebook which has sold nearly 5,000 copies.

The Education team developed and launched two new Distributor Service Partnership agreements with Staples®, Ramrod Distributors, Inc., and Complete Supply, Inc.  to elevate the cleaning industry by hosting training and certification programs at various training facilities across the U.S.

Education by the numbers:

  • ISSA’s Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) continues to be one of the most recognized education and certification providers in the professional cleaning industry and in 2022 certified over 3,000 individuals.
  • CMI hosted nearly 50 combined virtual and in-person workshops throughout 2022.
  • ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) is designed to assist cleaning organizations in thoroughly understanding the customer’s service requirements. It also encourages service providers to manage their organization in a manner that is predicated on ensuring quality, efficiency, and overall customer satisfaction. In 2022, 130 companies achieved CIMS certification, including 99 renewals and 31 new certifications.

Government Affairs

The increased spotlight on the cleaning industry since 2020 has brought greater interest in our industry from policymakers. Members of Congress, governors, regulators, and even the President have actively sought and listened to the voice of the cleaning industry, which has never been stronger in Washington, D.C. and throughout the 50 states.

Healthy Workplaces Coalition Launched on Capitol Hill – On May 25, ISSA and the International WELL Building Institute launched the Healthy Workplaces Coalition. This new coalition of more than 50 national organizations, industry leaders, and trade associations is collaborating to support and advance federal policy promoting healthy workplaces, as well as raise awareness by using a collective voice to help the public, policymakers, and businesses understand the imperative of workplace health and safety.

National Cleaning Week 2022 – The U.S. House of Representatives, 14 states, Puerto Rico, and the City of Chicago all proclaimed an official “Cleaning Week” in conjunction with National Cleaning Week, March 27-April 2, 2022. National Cleaning Week celebrates the value of clean and the important, positive impact that cleaning has on public health, the environment, and our economy.

2022 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit Conquers Washington – ISSA hosted the industry’s first in-person “fly-in,” the Clean Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC on March 30-31, 2022, as part of National Cleaning Week. Nearly 60 industry leaders participated in the event, representing the entire cleaning supply chain. Advocates from more than 21 states met with more than 40 congressional offices over the course of the two-day event to encourage policies that positively impact the industry, such as the Employee Retention Tax Credit, free trade, and healthy workplace incentives.

ISSA Launches End Period Poverty Campaign – In October, ISSA and the Hygieia Network launched an educational and advocacy campaign aimed at ending period poverty and advancing period dignity. ISSA will lobby in support of public policies to increase access to period products, dispensers, and disposal solutions in away-from-home venues. The increased access to menstrual care products will significantly reduce period poverty and school absenteeism, as well as protect the health and well-being of cleaning workers and the public.

ISSA Awarded OSHA Grant for Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases

ISSA is one of 14 nonprofits nationwide to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The grant will be used to provide infection-prevention training to frontline workers in the cleaning industry. This includes cleaners, environmental service workers, custodians, restorers, remediators, and limited-English-proficiency workers who are linked to ISSA-member companies.

Strength in Numbers – ISSA celebrated more than 1,200 Advocates for Clean. Advocates receive the biweekly ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update and are the first to hear about pressing legislation, compliance deadlines, ISSA advocacy events, and more.

International

ISSA Canada

Following two years of COVID-19 lockdowns and regulations, 2022 saw light shine at the end of a long, dark tunnel. As pandemic restrictions were rescinded, the theme for the year seemed to be “getting back to business in a new world.” And ISSA Canada was ready to meet this challenge by offering support, education, information, and programming to an industry which consistently shows its grit and determination to ensure facility occupants remain healthy and safe.

Recognizing members who represent a high degree of professionalism and a keen desire to implement environmental strategies for a healthier planet, ISSA Canada was pleased to award the University of Calgary with the 2022 ISSA Canada Environmental Stewardship award. An ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard–Green Building (CIMS-GB) certified organization, the University of Calgary is a leader in sustainability and safe, environmentally-conscious practices, and has a goal of becoming a zero waste leader amongst post-secondary institutions across Canada.

In March 2022, the ISSA Hygieia Network Canada Region was born. Spearheaded by captain Shannon Hall, Dustbane Products Ltd. vice president of sales and marketing, the ISSA Hygieia Network Canada Region was quickly embraced and now comprises almost 120 industry representatives in its LinkedIn Group. Additionally, the group hosted three in-person networking events in 2022 to further Hygieia’s cause of advancing and retaining women in the industry. These events included Cupcakes & Cocktails in Calgary; a Meet & Greet in Mississauga, Ontario; and a special breakfast panel discussion during ISSA Show Canada in Toronto, which saw over 100 participants in attendance.

Reflecting on the desire to reconnect, ISSA Show Canada made a return to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 8 and 9, 2022. Following a well-attended virtual event in 2021, this year saw a 40% increase in show registration with participants travelling from across Canada and the United States to bring a buzz back to the trade show floor.

Building on the success of the 2022 event, plans are currently underway for 2023. With an expanded trade show floor, ISSA Show Canada promises to deliver not only an outstanding educational line-up to ensure all sectors of the industry are serviced and kept abreast of all the current trends, but also a variety of networking events to ensure delegates have ample face time. Additionally, with an even larger trade show floor anticipated, attendees will have even more opportunity to see and test the latest innovations available. Stay tuned to the ISSA Show Canada website for all the most current details.

Canada Night also made an exciting return in the Windy City. Traditionally held during the ISSA Show North America, ISSA Canada’s social event of the year had been on hold since 2019. Judging by the almost 600 representatives who made their way to the Vista Ballroom in the McCormick Place Convention Center on October 12, the industry was ready to re-connect. ISSA Canada is already looking forward to its 2023 event, slated for Las Vegas, where ISSA will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

ISSA Korea

ISSA Korea offered a variety of in-person and online training programs providing the knowledge and skills needed for professionals at all levels in their career. Also, during 2022 ISSA Korea provided technical support and solutions to the South Korean government and facility management members.

ISSA Korea education by the numbers:

  • Held nine sessions for Cleaning Management Institute (CMI), one of the most recognized education and certification providers in the professional cleaning industry, and in 2022 certified over 120 individuals.
  • Conducted quarterly webinar events totaling nearly 600 in attendance. Subjects included:
    • Types of germs and viruses
    • The Serious Accidents Punishment Act
    • Providing restoration services after a disaster
    • What is GBAC STAR™?

In addition to education and training, South Korean facilities are focusing on cleaning for health with GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation. In 2022, 91 new facilities received GBAC STAR accreditation, while 99% of previously certified South Korean facilities are working on their third GBAC STAR reaccreditation.

ISSA LATAM

 Important Change in 2022

  • Added a new team of five extraordinary staff professionals to help build a positive and beneficial member experience.
  • Formed a new group of advisors – the LATAM working group – that help in guiding and improving the regions performance through their collective experience and knowledge.
  • Updated all marketing content to provide the most relevant and important information for the region’s members. Items updated included the LATAM website, membership kit, and the regions social media footprint.
  • Translated educational offerings including CMI, GBAC, and OLC, into Spanish and Portuguese to better serve our regional members.

Education and Events

Throughout the year, we offered a number of ways for the industry to advance their cleaning knowledge by offering ten member meet-ups with more than 135 attendees; seven webinars with over 500 registrants; conducted 20 iTalk sessions; and one online certification course. In addition to the educational events, we attended five industry tradeshows and interacted with more 4,000 industry professionals.

ISSA Oceania

After two years of postponements, ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Expo was back in Sydney in September. With a 25% increase in attendance, the event brought people together again to meet face to face with industry peers and view new market products and services from our largest number of exhibitors to date. From robotics and new chemical offerings to environmental initiatives and more, the Expo exposed attendees to the latest trends.

The Expo also coincided with the INCLEAN Excellence Awards, which showcased innovative and progressive products within the cleaning and hygiene space. A record number of registrations for the awards underlined how much research and developments was invested into products and services during the pandemic.

The ISSA Cleaning Hygiene Expo will return this 1-2 November 2023 to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This will be our first show in the state of Victoria since 2019. Already over 60% of exhibitor space has been sold and this show is on trend to be the biggest Expo to date. The INCLEAN Excellence Awards will once again return and coincide with the event.

In 2022, the first company in Australia, residential and commercial property cleaning services provider, Sebastian Property Services, achieve the highest level of Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification – CIMS Green Building (CIMS-GB) with Honours.

During the year, ISSA Oceania also launched the Member Benefits program, powered by Supply Clusters, offering benefits regardless of a company’s size or sector in the industry. The program offers members significant rewards, savings, and strategic assistance across 30 common expense categories established to support members in streamlining their operation, boosting profits, and managing spend across their business.

ISSA Charities

ISSA Charities™ is comprised of three signature programs: Cleaning for a Reason®, which partners with residential cleaning companies to provide free home cleanings for cancer patients; ISSA Hygieia Network, which provides the tools and resources for women in the cleaning industry to advance their careers; and ISSA Scholars, which provides scholarships to help relieve the burden of tuition for students and their families.

Cancer treatment can be all-consuming, making basic tasks like home cleaning nearly impossible. Cleaning for a Reason works with cleaning partners and volunteers to provide a sigh of relief to cancer patients and their families. This year, Cleaning for a Reason maintained its network of 1,200 cleaning partners and expects to serve more than 4,250 patients by the end of 2022. Partners went above and beyond to raise more than US$100,000 through November.

ISSA Hygieia Network held several conferences and webinars targeted at advancing and retaining women in the cleaning industry. Hygieia hosted one in-person and two virtual conferences with 358 participants and five webinars featuring industry leaders that reached over 600 attendees. The Hygieia Network also partnered with DePaul University to create the DePaul University Career Edge Certificate Program; a three-module, on-demand, skills development program designed to support career success for professionals in the cleaning industry. Hygieia held two virtual and three in-person regional meet and greets that reached 253 attendees in the US and internationally. To conclude a successful year, the Hygieia Network Awards Reception attracted over 900 attendees at ISSA Show North America 2022.

This year, ISSA Scholars awarded scholarships to 55 exceptional students who demonstrated academic and leadership excellence. The scholarships, totaling more than $157,000, were funded by the generous support of ISSA member companies and individuals. Online applications for the 2023 scholarships will open in January.

At ISSA Show North America 2022, ISSA Charities connected with the industry in person and raised more than $50,000. Thanks to compassionate cleaning industry members, ISSA Charities continues to make the world a cleaner, healthier, better place to live.

ISSA Divisions

In 2022, three ISSA Divisions—the Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI), the Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA), and the Independent Office Products and Furniture Dealers Association (IOPFDA)—were all dedicated to providing the best possible education and resources for their members. Take a look at what each division did to improve their member experiences.

The Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI)

Throughout 2022, ARCSI was very targeted in the education and training program for members, focusing heavily on hiring and retaining quality staff by offering two employee bootcamps featuring Debbie Sardone and other industry experts. Each program was three hours and provided real-world strategies owners could use to identify quality staff in the uncertain market and retain those employees.

To engage residential members within a community setting, ARCSI launched two new programs in 2022:

  • Residential Coffee and Conversation – a monthly online event for members to connect and discuss hot topics with their peer group.
  • Regional Ambassador Program – launched by the Residential Cleaning Council, this program provides a platform for regional ambassadors to connect with members across the country. This program stated on online with the goal of expanding it into in-person events in 2023.

As always, our members continue to be great advocates for ARCSI. Hear what a few members have shared:

The Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA)

2022 was a year of success for IEHA educational programs:

  • The Certified Hotel and Hospitality Management Professional (CHHMP) program was introduced at ISSA Show North America in October and certified four individuals. Based on this interest, the program will continue to grow and expand in 2023.
  • The Certified Perioperative Cleaning Specialist (CPCS) program was a big success certifying over 40 individuals.
  • We continued to certify members globally with 69 individuals certified as either a Certified Environmental Services Executive (CESE) or Registered Environmental Services Executive (RESE).
  • The Certified Laundry and Linen Professional (CLLP) workshop continued to grow with 19 individuals certified.

Throughout the year, IEHA held seven district meetings from Hawaii to Washington D.C., to further engage, educate, and recruit members of the hospitality and environmental services sectors of the cleaning industry.

Independent Office Products and Furniture Dealers Association (IOPFDA)

In March 2022, IOPFDA successfully held the joint Clean Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. with ISSA Government Affairs. The collaborative program included congressional representative speakers and was very well received by IOPFDA members.

2022 was the first year for the newly formed IOPFDA Technology Committee. Throughout the year, this productive committee enrolled five new tech services company members and delivered the following education offerings:

  • Two cybersecurity webinars
  • Inflation Happens – an interview with OPSoftware on how to manage price increases during inflation, which garnered nearly 3,000 views on social media
  • Two webinars on legal and health dangers of counterfeit toners from China.

IOPFDA’s Furniture Committee was busy developing a partnership with Solomon Coyle LLC to provide project management training, financial benchmarking, and market outlook surveys for mid-market furniture deals.

Media

As the effects of the global pandemic began to subside in 2022, the focus of media was to keep the momentum going when it comes to cleaning, disinfecting, and improving indoor air quality, among other industry concerns. All ISSA Media properties, including ISSA TodayCleanfax, and Cleaning & Maintenance Management, have increased practical coverage of all aspects related to the global cleaning industry, with a more concerted focus on multimedia publishing.

With initiatives like the Rethink Clean campaign, the ISSA Media team helped bring cleaning awareness to those outside of the industry. Consumers have devoured the video series that Mandel helped create, with millions of views of those recordings alone. Along with that, the interviews, industry events, and media coverage have expanded the reach of ISSA, with each episode impacting viewers.

ISSA Media’s focus moving forward is to continue to do what works. Provide in-depth, relevant content on topics driven by industry demand, and make sure ISSA Media is the No. 1 information resource center for cleaning, disinfecting, restoration, facility management, and all other industry verticals. The ISSA Media editorial team has continued to support all aspects of the association.

Looking towards the future, ISSA Media will continue to evolve, improve, and provide traditional print, website, newsletter, multimedia, and video content and expand its reach even further into the global cleaning industry.

Membership

Our members are important to us, and we spent 2022 really listening to you, asking for feedback on what we could improve, learning what your business needs are, and providing tools to make your career better. For our member classes, ISSA has assigned a designated member success specialist for you to reach out to with comments and questions.

We encourage you to take advantage of this essential service and connect with us today at 800-225-4772.

ISSA strives to bring value to our members every day. With that in mind, we updated our various membership levels to provide the best experience for your organization’s needs. Whether you are just getting started, are looking to grow your business in the cleaning industry, or are looking to maximize your exposure and success, our new structure provides you with a pathway to success. Review the new membership levels and talk with your member success representative on what would be the best level for you and your organization moving forward.

Trade Shows

ISSA Show North America

2022 welcomed more than 11,000 cleaning industry professionals to McCormick Place in Chicago, a 10% increase over last year’s event in Las Vegas. The event provided a variety of opportunities for networking, education, and product discovery that helped attendees evolve their businesses and change the way the world views cleaning.

ISSA Show North America 2022 hosted over 70 sessions, providing resources for attendees to stay up to date on the latest trends and solutions for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention. This year’s show also delivered numerous offerings for accreditation, training, and certification. The 2022 sessions covered several crucial topics, including hiring and retention in post-pandemic times, budgeting and marketing for infection prevention, and the future of sustainability in the cleaning industry. There was tremendous buzz at the event around the new industry campaign, Rethink Clean, and as always all of our sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees made ISSA Show 2022 a huge success.

ISSA Show North America 2023 will take place in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, a GBAC STAR™ accredited facility, November 13 – 16, 2023. For more information about the ISSA Show, visit www.issashow.com.