More than 10,000 cleaning industry professionals from all 50 states gathered safely for the first time in two years at ISSA Show North America 2021 in Las Vegas, November 15-18.
The first in-person ISSA Show North America since 2019 offered knowledge-thirsty attendees opportunities for face-to-face networking, education, and discovery of new products and solutions after a challenging and industry-transforming 20 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With special health and safety checks in place, including a mask requirement, proof of vaccination—or proof of a negative COVID-19 test—for all attendees, the industry’s largest event took place at the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), accredited as Nevada’s first GBAC STAR Facility by the Global Biorisk Advisory CouncilTM (GBAC), a Division of ISSA.
“The event has exceeded all expectations. The audience was of excellent quality and they were highly engaged,” said Lindsay Roberts, group director for ISSA Show North America 2021, as the show came to an end Thursday afternoon, November 18. “There was a buzz and energy that we haven’t experienced in two years. Exhibitors were incredibly happy. We are so glad we remained fully committed to a healthy and safe in-person event. We greatly appreciate the loyal audience that showed up to support our industry.”
Technology strategist and futurist Crystal Washington set the tone for show week in her Monday lunch and learn presentation that addressed the unprecedented challenges of the last year and a half, the rapid reliance on new technologies, and how that reliance is reprogramming how we look at business and customer needs. She offered ways to embrace technology trends to address labor shortages and prepare for future waves of change. However, she noted that technology will never replace the need for human connection.
“Don’t outsource your relationships to technology,” Washington said.
Futurist Crystal Washington was Monday’s Lunch and Learn speaker.
Relationship building and networking was the obvious reason to gather in person this year. Exhibitors and attendees alike expressed how nothing can replace time together on the trade show floor or at one of the networking receptions or roundtable events held throughout the week.
It was clear attendees were eager to hear lessons from experts and peers about ways to move past the pandemic. The first round of more than 60 education sessions started on Monday including the popular panel discussion with GBAC leaders, Beyond COVID-19: Cleaning for Infectious Disease Prevention, which attracted a standing-room
only crowd.
ISSA Show North America 2021
The exhibition floor bustled with more than 500 on-site exhibitors, numerous specialty pavilions, and an ISSA Innovation Showcase and Innovation Center where curious attendees could see and touch the 2021 ISSA Innovation Award entries and watch live product demonstrations.
ISSA presented the 2021 Innovation of the Year Award to Tork®, an Essity brand, for its Interactive Training for Healthcare in an awards ceremony on the final day, a trade show tradition.
Next year, ISSA Show North America returns to McCormick Place in Chicago, October 11-13. Visit issashow.com to learn more.
View photos from show week below:
