The highly anticipated ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo will return to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Wednesday, November 1, and Thursday, November 2, 2023.

The two-day, free-to-attend event is the only show in the Southern Hemisphere that is dedicated to the cleaning and hygiene industry, and will bring together leading experts, innovators, and cleaning professionals.

Hosted by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, now in its fifth edition, is set to showcase the latest products, services, and innovations from more than 90 exhibitors.

“The 2022 show was an enormous success for both exhibitors and attendees, with many stating it was the best expo to date,” said Lauren Micallef, ISSA Oceania manager.

“As a result, our members have asked us to keep the momentum going, and already the 2023 show is set to be the largest event to date. This will be the first show in four years held in Melbourne, and the industry is excited for its return.”

Earlier this year, ISSA acquired additional hall space to meet the growing demand, which included a mix of new exhibitors as well as past participants taking up bigger and grander stands.

Visitors are set to benefit from the 33% increase in hall space, as they will be able to explore a broader range of products and services and engage with even more industry experts and professionals.

“Where else in Australia can you meet with so many leading manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers in one location, demonstrating their innovations and sharing their industry insight?” asked Stuart Nicol, ISSA Oceania Advisory Council chair.

“The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo allows for the opportunity to meet face to face and get a feel for what a supplier is really proposing in a more hands-on environment.”

Craig Dowell, director of sales and marketing with ABCO Products, said: “We look forward to the show returning to Melbourne and being able to provide technical advice and support on products and services that will empower not only the cleaners and companies, but also the community.”

Last year saw a 25% growth in ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo attendees with visitors stemming from more than 20 countries.

This year the show anticipates more than 3000 attendees from both national and international markets. 

“It has been great to see the local growth of the event, but also the traction and awareness from an international perspective,” said Micallef.

“This only helps to broaden the product offerings to our audience, as well as to expand potential business markets for our exhibitors,” she added.

Adam Baker, national marketing manager of Makita Australia, a Platinum Sponsor of the event, said the show provides a unique opportunity for the entire market to connect, foster relationships, and uncover the latest innovations and insights. 

“As a returning Platinum Sponsor, we have seen the great value and importance that comes from showcasing our brand and products at this important industry event, and we look forward to continuing the relationship in the years to come.”

Education sessions

The expo’s education program will take place over two days and feature 40 speakers, 16 free-to-attend speaker sessions, plus on-site workshops.

It will cover a variety of topics that have been designed to provide attendees with the knowledge and tools to grow their business, develop their staff, and remain up-to-date with industry trends and emerging developments.

More broadly, the education program will ensure visitors from all areas of the cleaning and hygiene industry can receive practical advice from industry experts.

Various panel discussions between industry thought leaders and stakeholders will expand the number of professionals that the audience can tap into. Topics to be included in the discussions include those on cleaning for health, infection prevention, technology and innovation, environmental and sustainability needs, supply chain, and workforce development.

For those attendees looking for a deeper dive into technical training and industry standards, on-site workshops and breakfast sessions will be taking place throughout the two-day event.

This year, the Facility Management Association’s (FMA) Victorian Chapter will host a technical breakfast and industry standard session on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

“We are excited to collaborate with the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo and provide members with the opportunity to engage with fellow attendees and leading suppliers within the industry. It’s an opportunity to network and uncover the latest innovations that will benefit the facilities management sector,” said Matt Marsh, managing director, Sebastian Group.

The expo workshop program will also delve deeper into indoor air quality, carpet containment, and cross-contamination topics. Property and facility managers focused on supporting the health of their occupants are highly encouraged to register.

“Businesses that move quickly to adopt these latest trends and insights will have a competitive edge in their markets,” said Micallef.

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, the senior director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, highlights that a key trend in the market is ‘cleaning for health’ and that he expects it to be a significant discussion point throughout the show and one he will address throughout the education program, including his workshop. 

“Cleanliness is not just an aesthetic quality,” he notes. “It is a foundational pillar of infection prevention and occupant safety. It’s about being able to use cleaning and disinfecting equipment, tools, processes, and chemistries to battle the invisible infectious disease-causing agents, contaminants, and pollutants.”

INCLEAN Excellence Awards

In addition, to the exhibition and education program, the expo will also feature the 2023 INCLEAN Excellence Awards, which will be announced at the networking event at the conclusion of the first day.

“Last year the awards received the largest number of entries to date, and we are expecting 2023 to be even bigger,” said Micallef.

These awards celebrate the latest innovations and recognize outstanding achievements of people who work in the industry.

“Participating in the 2023 INCLEAN Excellence Awards allows you to highlight your outstanding achievements, biggest successes, and most creative initiatives and innovations.”

Lisa Michalson, director of Cleanstar/XPOWER, said it was an honor to be a winner at the 2022 INCLEAN Excellence Awards.

“We found the benefits and recognition from the industry to be profound. The awards provided a great platform for us to showcase our latest products and innovations. We highly encourage other organizations to participate, and in doing so, continuing to raise the recognition of the industry,” she said.

Awards finalists will showcase their products in the Innovation Zone on the show floor of the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo. This opportunity will offer visitors the opportunity to view the products and uncover more about these innovations.

“This year’s event is a must-attend for anyone interested in advancing their knowledge and expertise in the cleaning sector. Attendees can connect with their peers, learn from experts, and discover the latest trends and innovations that are shaping the future of the industry,” said Micallef.

“The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo is an event not to be missed! Events like these would not be possible without the support and effort of our exhibitors and sponsors. They help to raise the profile of the industry and demonstrate its credibility, value, and importance,” she added.

Micallef also notes the value of sponsors, especially those returning. “This year, we welcome our returning Platinum Sponsor Makita, and our returning Gold Sponsor and Sanitizing Station Sponsor, Dettol Pro Solutions.

“Thanks to our returning Silver Sponsors Oates (Freudenberg) and ACCO Brands, as well as new sponsors GURRU Solutions, Brain Corp, EcoPower, and Spillz. We would also like to thank returning Coffee Cart Sponsor, RapidClean; returning Business Lounge Sponsor, Pacvac; returning Product Placement Sponsor, Tennant; and returning Lanyard Sponsor, Cleanstar. We would also like to welcome Ice Cream sponsor, Symbio.”

To register for the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo in Melbourne, visit www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com. This will be an event you can’t miss!