News
Clean Advocacy Summit Attendees Meet With Dozens of Congressional Offices
April 28, 2021
This month during National Cleaning Week, ISSA hosted the industry’s inaugural virtual “fly-in”–the Clean Advocacy Summit. More than 100 advocates for clean participated in the event, representing the entire supply chain of the cleaning industry including manufacturers, distributors, dealers, business service contractors, and residential cleaners.
Advocates from more than 20 states met with nearly 50 Congressional offices over the course of the two-and-a-half-day event to advocate for policies impacting the cleaning industry. These virtual meetings included the offices of Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Mark Warner (D-VA), and many more. ISSA used these meetings to advocate for support of a Healthy & Safe Tax Credit and for tariff relief on critical COVID-19 related products.
Check out this Straight Talk! interview to hear Lauren Smith, business development manager for Chicago’s Crescent Cleaning Co., and Rebecca Kaufold, the manager of government affairs and sustainability with Spartan Chemical Co. Inc., discuss their experience.
Many other attendees were inspired by the event and the overwhelming positive reactions they received from their Congressional meetings.
“I must admit this whole process has been such an inspiration and I feel like a ‘fish out of water’ but becoming an advocate for ISSA has sparked a flame in me that I didn’t realize existed. I would really love to help you guys more once we get through this [summit]. Thank you for all you are doing!” said Wendy Dixon, owner of American Pride Cleaning Services LLC, in Durham, North Carolina.
“I thought the Clean Advocacy Summit was very well done. ISSA did an excellent job with this event and I’m looking forward to attending next year’s summit in person,” said Steve Lewis, CEO of Golden Star Inc., in Overland Park, Kansas.
Elected officials are more likely to support the cleaning industry when they are educated about the important role the industry is and will continue to play in protecting public health and strengthening the economy. For this reason, ISSA hopes that cleaning industry leaders will continue to develop relationships with federal and state elected officials and continue to be advocates for clean throughout the year.
Here are three ways to get involved:
- If you couldn’t make the Summit, you can still make your voice heard by taking a moment to reinforce the advocacy of the cleaning profession by urging Congress to pass the Healthy Workplaces Act through ISSA’s Advocacy Action Center.
- Keep up to date with ISSA’s Legislative & Regulatory updates by joining the Advocates for Clean email list. Signing up will ensure that you hear about critical issues facing the cleaning industry as they happen and how you can be involved.
- Contribute to the ISSA Advocacy Fund to help us continue to spearhead a healthy and safe workplace tax credit and seek tariff relief in Congress. Fund benefits begin at the US$50 contribution level.
Cleaning industry professionals understand the value of clean and the impact of the industry. While ISSA’s increased presence in Washington, D.C. is important, the impact you can have as a constituent on a member of Congress is invaluable.
Cleaning Leaders
As part of National Cleaning Week, ISSA presented its annual Clean Advocate awards, honoring cleaning industry leaders and decision-makers who advance policies that strengthen the industry.
This year’s winners are:
- Kevin Monahan, President of Monahan Partners Inc.
- Matt Vonachen, President/CEO of the Vonachen Group
Outstanding Government Service
- Darin LaHood (R-IL)
- Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ)
For questions regarding ISSA Advocacy, including the Healthy and Safe Workplace Tax Credit, please contact ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft. And for a recap of ISSA’s latest governmental advocacy efforts, check out this recent article.
