CMM spoke with Edward Smith III, an environmental services (EVS) professional for an Alabama school district, about his methods for tackling problem areas in the more than 20 schools he serves. How long have you worked in EVS? Edward Smith: I have worked in environmental services for 25 years and am currently the executive director of facilities at Tuscaloosa City Schools in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where I have worked for seven years. What are some of the biggest problem areas in the facility you clean? Smith: Restrooms are one of our biggest challenges. They set the tone for cleanliness and care of the building. To care for them properly, we maintain cleaning standards that extend during the school day and through any extended hours the building is occupied. How have you solved these problems? Smith: We have established a restroom-cleaning schedule for custodians to follow and provided metered chemicals for restroom use. To make the process easier and eliminate cross contamination, we have created separate custodian carts for restrooms and utilize color-coded microfiber cloths for specific areas and fixtures. We target specific “danger zone” locations, such as under urinals and toilets, for extra cleaning. Additionally, we emphasize that all dispensers must be operational. We also are introducing a new restroom inspection system that will be conducted internally by each district school. What types of cleaning products make the job easier? Smith: We do not use any chemicals or urinal screens with heavy perfumes. We find the more consistently we clean, the less we need to use harsh chemicals. Using equipment and supplies as intended also makes the job easier. Please give a step-by-step account of your problem-solving methods. Smith: When an issue or opportunity arises, we: Listen carefully to gain a complete understanding. Collaborate with all the teams involved and research a remedy. Perform the initial remedy. Assess the situation. Complete the process or repeat it if the remedy didn’t work. What advice would you give to other EVS workers who also struggle with maintaining restrooms? Smith: If I see it, you will see it. In other words, if you notice issues in the restroom, realize that customers and building visitors will see these issues too. Don’t clean in response to complaints. Clean before you get complaints.
Each year, EXHIBITOR Magazine recognizes top-performing convention centers through its prestigious Centers of Excellence program. The 2026 honorees—25 convention centers across North America—represent the best in exhibitor experience, operational performance, innovation, and service delivery. Excellence in today’s meetings and events industry is no longer defined solely by square footage, loading docks, or Wi-Fi bandwidth. In a post-pandemic world shaped by heightened health awareness, sustainability expectations, and workforce safety concerns, the definition of “best-in-class” has fundamentally changed. Increasingly, excellence is measured by how well facilities protect people and support public health. This shift is clearly reflected in the 2026 Centers of Excellence honorees, among which 10 (40%) are GBAC STAR™ accredited and 14 (56%) are LEED certified. Seven facilities among the 25 hold both GBAC STAR and LEED certification: Baird Center, Milwaukee Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu McCormick Place, Chicago Seattle Convention Center, Seattle Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. Creating new venue baselines Trade shows and large events bring people from all over the world together. The convention centers where they gather are complex ecosystems where indoor air quality, surface hygiene, waste management, chemical selection, and cleaning protocols intersect. Before they book venues, event organizers are asking new questions: How is cleaning verified and standardized? What protocols are in place to prevent the spread of infectious diseases? How does the building support healthy indoor environments? What sustainability outcomes can be measured and not just claimed? The convention centers recognized in the 2026 Centers of Excellence program demonstrate that leading venues are responding to these questions by aligning operations with recognized third-party standards, including GBAC STAR Accreditation and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Cleaning to protect health The Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a division of ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, established GBAC STAR accreditation to help facilities implement the highest level of cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention practices. GBAC STAR is not a marketing label—it is a performance-based accreditation grounded in science, training, documentation, and continuous improvement. Facilities seeking GBAC STAR accreditation must demonstrate: Evidence-based cleaning and disinfection protocols Formal bio-risk management programs Appropriate chemical selection and use Worker training and competency verification Emergency response and outbreak preparedness Ongoing auditing and program review For convention centers, this translates into predictable, transparent, and defensible cleaning operations. GBAC STAR accreditation shows a strong commitment to structured infection prevention and cleaning for health. Accredited venues recognize that cleaning is not simply about appearance. It is about risk reduction, workforce protection, and occupant safety and confidence. Cleaning as essential infrastructure As the global voice of the cleaning industry, ISSA plays a central role in elevating cleaning from a custodial function to a recognized public health service. Through GBAC, professional training programs, standards engagement, and evidence-based guidance, ISSA supports facilities across the built environment in implementing Cleaning for Health™ principles. This approach emphasizes: Risk-based cleaning strategies Safer chemistry and responsible product selection Measurable outcomes instead of visual inspection alone Worker health, safety, and professionalization Alignment between facility management, sustainability, and health goals The Centers of Excellence honorees illustrate how convention centers are operationalizing these principles by embedding cleaning into broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks rather than treating it as a back-of-house activity. Designed to support health While GBAC STAR focuses on operational health protection, LEED addresses how buildings are designed, renovated, and operated to support environmental and human health outcomes. LEED-certified buildings demonstrate performance in: Indoor environmental quality Ventilation and airflow effectiveness Energy efficiency and emissions reduction Water conservation Waste diversion and recycling Responsible materials selection LEED certification provides planners and exhibitors with verifiable sustainability data, helping organizations meet corporate sustainability commitments while selecting venues aligned with their ESG goals. Selecting a convention location For event professionals, selecting a venue is no longer just a logistical decision; it is a risk management decision. Venues aligned with GBAC STAR™ and LEED provide: Evidence-based cleaning and bio-risk, management Reduced reputational and operational risk Integration of cleaning, sustainability, and health into core operations Alignment with corporate sustainability reporting In competitive event markets, these factors increasingly influence attendance, exhibitor retention, and long-term brand reputation. Venues investing in health and sustainability are also investing in business resilience and long-term relevance. Envisioning the future The Centers of Excellence convention centers are not simply hosting successful trade shows. They are redefining responsible venue management. By investing in GBAC STAR accreditation, LEED certification, and ISSA-aligned best practices, these venues demonstrate leadership that extends beyond the event floor by committing to healthy indoor environments supported by science.
CMM spoke with Gregory Gardner, director of environmental services (EVS) at a Georgia hospital, about the critical role of EVS staff in preventing the spread of infectious pathogens in healthcare facilities. How long have you been working in EVS? Gregory Gardner: I have worked in environmental services for 15 years. I am currently the director of EVS at Memorial Hospital and Manor in Bainbridge, Georgia. Which infectious diseases does your facility contend with the most this time of year? Gardner: We see a lot of cases of norovirus, flu, and COVID-19 in the winter. Which infections/pathogens are your facility most concerned about? Why? Gardner: We are most concerned about the spread of C. diff, COVID-19, and the flu. Patients and visitors have numerous opportunities to spend time in common areas within the hospital, and that opens up the possibility of cross-contamination. What cleaning protocols do your EVS teams follow to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases? Gardner: Our daily cleaning protocols in patient rooms and public areas include wiping down high-touch surfaces, as well as surfaces closest to the patient. We clean waiting-room furniture, public restrooms, and high-traffic spaces multiple times each day. In addition, we perform blitz cleaning in various common areas of the hospital and manor, including sweeping; mopping; wiping down tables, chairs, walls, and vents; and dusting high surfaces. Then we perform audits to ensure rooms are cleaned correctly and thoroughly and that soap and sanitizer dispensers remain stocked. What is your facility’s top challenge regarding infection prevention? Gardner: We have a problem with family members of patients who don’t follow instructions for infection control precautions. They do not feel that these precautions should apply to them and don’t understand the impact of not following the processes. What are your biggest staff challenges? Gardner: It is important that the EVS team perform its tasks consistently, focusing on safety and using personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly. To accomplish this, PPE requirements must be in effect, including when patients leave the hospital or transfer to another facility. Staff must educate family members and visitors on the importance of PPE and enforce its use. What are the most common misconceptions about infection prevention? Gardner: Many people mistakenly believe their actions don’t affect infection prevention. In reality, the actions of everyone in the building affect infection prevention. For example, hand hygiene is essential, along with keeping each individual’s environment clean. Infection control is not just housekeeping’s job.
What has the cleaning industry learned as it transitioned from the first pandemic year to the second? In this episode of BioTalk, a GBACtv production, learn the details about what went well and what didn't in 2021, and what we as an industry need to know right now. Infection prevention experts Patty Olinger, the executive director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, and Dr. Paul Meechan, the former head of safety with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and who now serves on the GBAC scientific advisory board, discuss these topics with ISSA Media Director Jeff Cross. This webcast also digs into the science and the layered support when it comes to cleaning, disinfection, and air purification, and how the omicron variant shouldn’t be considered just another type of “cold”. Olinger and Meechan also discuss the possibility of the end of the pandemic. This webcast is brought to you by our sponsor Breezy.
The world is falling short on health targets, with progress uneven, slowing, and in some areas reversing, according to the World Health Statistics 2026 report, published on Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO). While there have been improvements in global health during the past decade, with millions benefiting from better prevention, treatment, and access to essential services, persistent and emerging challenges mean that the world remains off track to achieve any of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Access to services that shape health outcomes expanded rapidly between 2015 and 2024. During this period: 961 million obtained access to safely managed drinking water. 2 billion gained sanitation 6 billion gained access to basic hygiene. 4 billion attained clean cooking solutions. However, challenges remain. For example, malaria incidence increased by 8.5% since 2015, moving the world further away from global targets while overall progress remains highly uneven across regions. Many drivers of ill health, including environmental risks, are not improving fast enough. Air pollution contributed to an estimated 6.6 million deaths worldwide in 2021, while inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene contributed to 1.4 million deaths in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities in global health systems. Between 2020 and 2023, it was linked to an estimated 22.1 million excess deaths, including indirect deaths. This is more than three times the number of officially reported COVID-19 deaths. These numbers reveal the scale of the pandemic’s global impact, reversing a decade of gains in life expectancy, with recovery remaining incomplete and uneven across regions. “These trends reflect too many deaths that could have been avoided,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director-general for health systems, access, and data. “With rising environmental risks, health emergencies, and a worsening health financing crisis, we must act urgently in strengthening primary health care, investing in prevention, and securing sustainable financing to build resilient health systems and get back on track.” The report highlights major data gaps that prevent full assessment of progress. As of the end of 2025, only 18% of countries were reporting mortality data to WHO within one year, and nearly one third have never reported cause-of-death data. Of the estimated 61 million deaths globally in 2023, only about one third were reported with cause-of-death information, and only about one fifth had meaningful International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coded data.
The May/June issue of Cleaning & Maintenance Management is now available in a digital format. Focusing on floor care, the issue details best practices for maintaining wood floors, as well as strategies for ensuring that floors of all types are healthy and allergen-free. It examines the benefits of resilient floor refinishing systems that extend flooring lifecycles and diamond-impregnated floor pads that create a high-gloss shine. The latest CMM edition also details the cleaning challenges facing World Cup venues, such as preventing norovirus outbreaks and improving indoor air quality. It reveals creative methods for facilities to profit from their recyclable waste and for building service contractors to increase their profits with the clients they already have. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find in this issue: Wood Floor Heroes Preserve Beauty: Proper wood floor care protects serviceability and history Rethink the Lifestyle of Resilient Flooring: Transition from polish-and-replace to renew-and-maintain Healthy Facilities Start From the Floor: Flooring technologies and care strategies support cleaner spaces Cleanliness Scores a Goal for FIFA Athletes: Clean locker rooms and clear air kick a path to World Cup victory Expand Your Services, Not Your Client Base: Add-on services turn routine accounts into revenue growth Diamonds Are a Floor’s Best Friend: Pad technology gives floors a high-gloss shine Facilities Profit When Tech Meets Trash: Reaping financial rewards from your waste stream Check out the table of contents to see all this edition of CMM has to offer, including Floor Care Case Studies.
Illinois has been named a “high-performance” state for emergency preparedness, the highest ranking a state can receive, in a newly released report by Trust for America’s Health. The annual report evaluates states on their ability to respond to various public health emergencies using ten key indicators including incident management, patient safety, and health security surveillance, among other measures. This year, Illinois received a top tier ranking after being ranked in the middle performance category in 2025. The advancement reflects improvements driven by ongoing investments in emergency preparedness infrastructure, workforce preparation, and response systems. The state previously achieved high-performance rankings in 2020 and 2022. In the report, states are categorized into three tiers: high, middle, and low performance. This year, 20 states including Illinois earned a high-performance designation followed by 17 states and the District of Columbia in the middle-performance tier, and 13 states in the low-performance tier. Illinois’ rise in the rankings reflects a multi-year effort to strengthen preparedness, including the following Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) efforts: A US$1.5 million investment to upgrade two state hospitals to serve as Elite Special Pathogen Treatment Centers for high-consequence pathogens. A $45 million investment in major upgrades to modernize public health data systems. The development of an after-action report and a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Response Playbook in the aftermath of COVID-19. The devotion of significant workforce resources to developing preparedness plans and training staff and partners on the execution of those plans. Membership in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) following the federal government’s withdrawal from WHO. Protection of access to vaccines by creating and publishing science-based vaccine guidance for Illinoisans, requiring state-regulated insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the department. Expansion of children’s access to receive immunizations at pharmacies. Adoption of the science-based 2026 child and adolescent immunization schedule issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics, in response to federal changes to immunization guidance that were not backed by scientific evidence. Strengthening of the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee (IL-IAC), adding more experts to conduct robust review of available evidence about immunizations and make recommendations to IDPH. Overall, the report finds that national preparedness depends not only on state-level capacity, but also on strong and stable federal systems, sustained intergovernmental coordination, and long-term investment in public health infrastructure. Areas of strong performance include: Nurse Licensure Compact: As of early 2026, 41 states have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact, improving states’ ability to rapidly mobilize nursing personnel across state lines during emergencies. Public Health and Emergency Management Accreditation: Most states are accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and/or the Emergency Management Accreditation Program, strengthening coordination, accountability, and emergency response capabilities. Public Health Laboratory Surge Capacity: Nearly every state has a written plan in place to expand laboratory testing capacity during a prolonged public health emergency. Community Water System Safety: Most residents continue to receive water from community water systems that meet health-based safety standards, though important risks and inequities remain. The report offered these recommendations for improving emergency preparedness: Provide stable, flexible, and sufficient funding for public health preparedness, workforce, and data modernization to help ensure every state has the systems needed to protect residents. Restore the federal public health workforce and capabilities reduced in 2025. Reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. Strengthen outbreak and pandemic readiness by supporting immunization, public health surveillance, and antimicrobial resistance efforts. Adopt strategies and accountability metrics in all levels of government to incorporate community resilience and health equity into preparedness. Accelerate development, stockpiling, and distribution of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures. Bolster healthcare system readiness, including cross-state credentialing and investment in Health Care Readiness programs. Expand preparedness for extreme weather and environmental health threats. The full report is available online.
On May 11, Evansville, Indiana, officially opened the city's first outdoor, publicly accessible restroom in its downtown neighborhood. The new Portland Loo restroom is located at the corner of Sycamore and 6th Street, next to the METS Transit bus station, and will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The third largest city in Indiana said the public restroom is aimed at improving accessibility and convenience for residents, visitors, event attendees, employees, and the thousands of people utilizing public transportation in the downtown district. The project was made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, 44 News reported. The restroom comes with a price tag of US$275,000, which city officials said includes the purchase, installation, and maintenance. Officials said the Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District will maintain the Portable Loo, ensuring it is cleaned several times daily. Portland Loos are a type of public restroom that has become increasingly popular in urban areas across the country because of their vandal-resistant construction, easier maintenance, and open-air design features that improve visibility and safety, the city said. Its durable, privacy-conscious design is intended to support public health and safety while helping deter illegal activity.