Describe your Spotless Space.

Located on Chicago’s Museum Campus, Shedd Aquarium is a designated National Historic Landmark and a world-class organization dedicated to animal care, conservation, and education. Since opening in 1930, Shedd welcomes around 2 million guests yearly and is home to over 32,000 animals representing 1,500 species. As one of the most recognized cultural institutions in the world, Shedd offers meaningful opportunities for people to connect with aquatic life while advancing scientific research and stewardship of the natural world.

Shedd’s mission is to spark compassion, curiosity, and conservation for the aquatic animal world. By directly connecting our guests with animals, Shedd fosters a deeper appreciation for nature, compassion for animals, and encourages individuals to care more deeply about the planet we share.

Shedd’s architecture is closely tied to the demands of cleaning and upkeep, with its historic classicalinspired façade, later expansions accommodating behind-the-scenes maintenance systems, and over 400,000 square feet of total space that must be maintained daily. Beneath and behind public galleries, lifesupport spaces house filtration, pumping, and water-treatment equipment that continuously cleans and recirculates millions of gallons of water. The building’s layout provides service corridors, mechanical rooms, and animal care areas that allow staff to access habitats directly for routine cleaning, repairs, and health monitoring without disrupting exhibits. Ongoing renovations further modernize these systems while preserving the aquarium’s historic architectural shell.

What specific measures do you or your team implement to ensure this space meets the highest standards of cleanliness and embodies the value of clean?

Shedd upholds a strong Culture of Clean building-wide by fostering ownership of every space and empowering all team members to take responsibility for cleanliness. Our cleaning teams conduct periodic checks throughout the day, and are extra vigilant in responding to building calls, ensuring that every area consistently stays clean. To facilitate our Culture of Clean, we have implemented technologies such as automatic carpet cleaners and gum cleaning machines that can handle stains on carpet as well as concrete. We also have specialized protocols and methods for cleaning different spaces, such as animal exhibit glass and hospital areas, that differ from typical public space cleaning. These measures ensure that our spaces not only remain spotless but also reflect Shedd Aquarium’s commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all guests.

What does having a spotless space mean to you and your team and how does it contribute to the organization’s business outcomes?

At Shedd, having a spotless space is fundamental to being a world-class institution because excellence is reflected in how we care for even the smallest details. For our team, cleanliness enhances the overall guest experience, reinforcing the high standards visitors expect when they walk through our doors. A spotless space allows us to showcase our animal exhibits at their best, ensuring the focus remains on the animals, their habitats, and our conservation mission. Ultimately, a spotless space represents who we are as an organization in respects to creating an exceptional visitor experience. All of this contributes to a positive word-of-mouth and consistently high ratings of cleanliness from our guests that encourages increases in repeat and unique visitors.

How does your facility promote sustainability and/or green cleaning?

First and foremost, Shedd Aquarium is a home for aquatic life, so we are diligent about cleaning in a way that is safe and respectful of nature. Because of our mission, we rely less on traditional caustic cleaners and instead prioritize hydrogen peroxide–based products, along with ozone machines and aqueous ozone cleaning technologies, to maintain effective sanitation while minimizing environmental impact. These solutions allow us to protect both our animals and our guests while achieving high cleaning standards. We intentionally partner with small and diverse local vendors who share our conservation values, ensuring our practices reflect our broader commitment to sustainability. Together, these choices support safe, healthy animal environments and reinforce Shedd’s role as a responsible, forward-thinking institution.

Give any examples of how you aim to create an inclusive and accessible experience in your facility for users and cleaners.

At Shedd, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment that meets the diverse needs of our guests and staff. We provide baby and adult changing stations, as well as with free feminine products in restrooms, to ensure comfort, dignity, and accessibility for everyone. Dedicated nursing rooms and quiet rooms for guests with sensory sensitivities further support a positive and accommodating guest experience. In addition, our new accessible-friendly entrance and ongoing construction enhancements, including ramps, elevators, and escalators, reflect our continued investment in removing barriers and ensuring that all visitors can fully enjoy and engage with everything Shedd Aquarium has to offer.