Articles

Rebuilding the Industry for Future Success

Categories: EMEA, ISSA Insights

In a significant period for the global cleaning industry, the latest updates include:

• The return of trade shows.
• The growth of strategic partnerships.
• Industry leaders revealing their plans and predictions.

International trade shows return

While so many cleaning industry events were canceled last year as face-to-face meetings proved impossible, the good news is we are getting back on track. ISSA is excited to be once again planning shows and looking forward to seeing members from overseas.

In Australia, the return of the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo—the country’s only dedicated expo for the cleaning and hygiene industry—will provide a unique opportunity to learn, network, and grow on October 12-13, 2021, in Sydney. With the Australian government supporting eligible organizations by covering up to 50% of event costs as part of the Australian Business Events Grants Program, the event will have more exhibitors and partnerships than ever before!

Meanwhile, ISSA PULIRE—The Smart Show on September 7-9, 2021, in Verona, Italy and CleanExpo Moscow | PULIRE on October 26-28, 2021, in Moscow, will be key events on the cleaning industry calendars for their respective countries and elsewhere this year. These events are ideal platforms to meet qualified buyers from around the world. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover industry trends and innovations, connect with market leaders and key distributors, and attract new business partners.

Collaboration for Indian market

ISSA has further expanded its strategic global partnership with Informa Markets to better support the Indian global cleaning and facility management industry. ISSA and Informa Markets will launch the ISSA Conference India, scheduled for October 21-22, 2021, at The Westin Mumbai Garden City in Mumbai, India. The collaboration enables ISSA to deliver more global insights and education at a local level while at the same time helping local businesses contribute to improved public hygiene and societal advancements.

The ISSA Conference India establishes a framework for communication and awareness of best practices throughout the world and, more specifically, in the Indian market. The event is ideal for cleaning and facility management professionals looking for education, products, solutions, and the latest technologies and trends to enhance the health and safety of the buildings they maintain.

According to Yogesh Mudras, managing director at Informa Markets in India, the ISSA Conference India will bring not only international advanced experience and ideas to India’s fast-growing cleaning industry, but also introduce innovative equipment, products, and solutions from overseas into the vast Indian market. “By joining forces and sharing resources, I believe together we can promote better development of the cleaning industry,” Mudras said on the announcement of the conference.

Designed to inform and educate stakeholders on best practices in disaster management, readiness and resilience, and leadership in times of crisis, the ISSA Conference India is particularly relevant in the post-pandemic world. The event aims to redefine the global cleaning community with the single mission of changing the way the world views cleaning.

Oceania: Industry Leaders Forum

If you are interested to hear industry leaders’ perspectives and predictions from Australia and New Zealand, check out the recent Industry Leaders Forum in ISSA’s INCLEAN and INCLEAN NZ magazines.

As part of the second annual forum, local key position holders from companies such as Tennant, Makita, Hako, SEBO Australia, and Godfreys have discussed the highs and lows of 2020, how companies adapted and responded to the pandemic, and the key issues and opportunities set to shape the sector in 2021. Numerous industry leaders shared their plans and predictions, with common themes to emerge, including: The challenges faced in the pandemic business environment; the importance of responding to the new normal as proactively as possible; the higher regard now placed on cleaning and hygiene; the greater opportunities for the industry to promote its value; and the critical role of new initiatives to survive and thrive moving forward.

Africa: Successful virtual event and new white paper

The ISSA Virtual Train the Trainer three-day course was held on March 24-26, 2021, for our members in Nigeria. The event was a great success and gathered 40 professionals who showed commitment to further training their staff to the highest cleaning standards. The next Virtual Train the Trainer course was held on April 28-30, 2021.

A new white paper, Impact of the coronavirus crisis on the cleaning industry in West Africa, is now available for ISSA members. The paper focuses on the shock, measures, aftermath, and outlook of COVID-19 on West Africa’s cleaning industry.

The report shows that COVID-19 brought the professional cleaning industry to the limelight and created more awareness.

This momentum needs to be carried on through additional marketing from associations. With the need for better techniques and equipment to increase standards, cleaning companies must invest further.

Additionally, financial support from governments or associations could aid in this progress. The white paper is available for members of ISSA at the ISSA EMEA portal.

About the Author.

Olena Lima is a marketing consultant for ISSA EMEA & Oceania. She is a Sydney-based marketing professional specializing in associations, membership, and digital marketing. Connect at linkedin.com/in/olenalima.