On Nov. 10, 10 teams vied for first place finishes at the 35^th Annual Housekeeping Olympics at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas during the first night of ISSA Show North America 2025. The Housekeeping Olympics are organized each year by the Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA), a division of ISSA.

Teams from across the hospitality and healthcare sectors competed, including MGM Grand, Park MGM, Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan, Carriage House, Resorts World, Atrium Health, Staples Business, and combined teams from Mandalay Bay/Luxor and ARIA/Vdara.

Along with the competing housekeepers, the annual event drew a crowd of their family members, friends, and colleagues who cheered them on. The Olympics included six challenges: a bedmaking race, a blindfolded buffer pad toss, a mop relay, a vacuum relay race, an executive challenge involving a toilet paper toss, an obstacle course on a floor cleaner, and a spirit dance competition. The overall first-place champion and winner of the coveted Championship Belt is ARIA/Vdara followed by last year’s winner Resorts World in second place and Staples Business in third place overall.

Other winners included:

Bed-Making Competition:

1. Resorts World
2. Bellagio
3. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Vacuum Race:

1. ARIA/Vdara
2. Atrium Hill
3. Mandalay Bay/Luxor

Buffer Pad Toss:

1. Staples Business
2. ARIA/Vdara
3. Resorts World

Mop Relay:

1. Mandalay Bay/Luxor
2. ARIA/Vdara
3. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Executive Challenge:

1. Staples Business
2. Carriage House
3. ARIA/Vdara

Spirit Dance Competition:

1. Resorts World
2. ARIA/Vdara
3. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

World Record Awards:

• Bed-Making: Resorts World
• Buffer Pad Toss: Staples Business
• Vacuum Race: ARIA/Vdara
• Mop Relay: Mandalay Bay/Luxor

At the ISSA Spotlight Event & Awards ceremony at ISSA Show North America on Tuesday, Kim Althoff delivered her first official address as the new executive director of ISSA, sharing a heartfelt message of gratitude, unity, and purpose. Her remarks reflected both deep respect for the association’s legacy and a clear vision for its future evolution as the “The Association for Cleaning & Facility Solutions.”

Althoff began by acknowledging her predecessor, John Barrett, whose leadership she credited with taking ISSA “to profound new heights.” She expressed appreciation for his “unwavering dedication, impact, mentorship, and friendship,” emphasizing that his legacy will continue to guide the association for years to come.

Stepping into the new role, Althoff said she felt “a deep sense of responsibility” rooted in her long career within the industry. “This community is built on hard work, integrity, and a shared commitment to making the world cleaner and safer,” she said. “I’m passionate about this work and passionate about all of you.”

She reaffirmed that ISSA’s newly developed strategic plan is not merely a document but “a roadmap to better serve our members.” The focus, she said, is on purposeful innovation and clear, consistent leadership that prioritizes members’ success.

Althoff outlined several core priorities for the organization. First, ISSA will tailor programs and services more specifically to the needs of each member segment—whether manufacturer, distributor, building service contractor, or in-house service professional. Second, the association will invest more heavily in relationship management.

“That means getting to know you better—your business, your goals, your challenges—and working together to help your business thrive and succeed,” she said. “We want every member to be seen and heard. This is all about building stronger relationships and making sure ISSA is where you belong and where you have a partner you can count on.”

One of the most notable announcements came as Althoff unveiled ISSA’s refreshed tagline: ISSA, the Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions. The new identity, she said, reflects the association’s inclusive and expanding scope across the entire cleaning and facility care ecosystem.

“It reflects not only who we are today but also where we are headed,” Althoff explained. “It speaks to the full spectrum of organizations and professionals we serve. Cleaning and facility solutions are at the heart of healthy environments, and ISSA is proud to be a global leader in this space.”

In closing, Althoff expressed sincere gratitude to ISSA members, partners, and staff, recognizing their commitment as the foundation of the association’s success. She offered special thanks to her family and colleagues—particularly the ISSA Hygieia Network community, including Linda Silverman, Meredith Reuben, and Carey Jaros—for their support and encouragement throughout her journey.

“Because of your commitment, our association continues to thrive,” she said. “I am truly optimistic about what we can accomplish together. We are stronger together.”

With her passion for people and purpose, Kim Althoff’s leadership signals a confident new chapter for ISSA—one grounded in collaboration, clarity, and the belief that the cleaning industry’s impact reaches far beyond its surface.