After capturing millions of views on ESPN8: The Ocho debut in August, one of the cleaning industry’s most spirited competitions, the ISSA Housekeeping Olympics, is headed back to Las Vegas. 

Hosted by the Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA), a Division of ISSA, the 36^th Annual Housekeeping Olympics will take place Nov. 16 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Cleaning and facility professionals in hospitality, healthcare and other specialties are invited to assemble a team and compete. Manufacturers, distributors and other industry organizations can join the excitement by sponsoring the event or supporting a team’s participation.

Competitors will go head-to-head in fast-paced challenges, including precision bed-making, mop relays, rapid vacuum races and other competitions that transform essential cleaning skills into spectator competition, all for the coveted Housekeeping Olympics championship trophy. 

For more than three decades, the Housekeeping Olympics has celebrated the professionals whose skill and dedication help keep facilities clean, safe and welcoming. In 2025, the 35th annual competition generated more than 50 million estimated views and 750,000 social engagements, with more than 165 media and social coverage placements. Highlights of the competition appeared across mainstream news, sports and entertainment platforms including Inside Edition, CNN, Fox News, Yahoo, House of Highlights, Bleacher Report, and beyond. 

That momentum continued in August 2026, when the competition made its ESPN8: The Ocho debut at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort as part of the network’s 10th anniversary celebration of unconventional sports and competitions. 

“Last year showed us just how powerfully this event resonates with people both inside and outside our industry,” said IEHA Executive Director Michael Patterson. “There is something incredibly compelling about watching these professionals take the skills they use every day and bring them into an arena filled with cheering teammates, colleagues and fans. The attention has been exciting, but what matters most is that it gives cleaning professionals a stage where their expertise, teamwork and pride can be seen and celebrated.” 

The 2026 Housekeeping Olympics takes place alongside ISSA Show North America 2026, Nov. 16–19 in Las Vegas, the premier event for the global cleaning and facility solutions industry. Staples Business supports the 2026 ISSA Housekeeping Olympics as Presenting Sponsor and Rubbermaid Commercial Products as a Platinum Sponsor. 

Hospitality housekeeping departments, healthcare environmental services teams, building service contractors, in-house facility teams and other industry organizations are all encouraged to enter a team, cheer on the competitors, or support the event through sponsorship. For team registration, sponsorship opportunities and additional information, click here. 

National Mold Awareness Month this September draws attention to recognizing the signs of mold, reducing moisture risks and knowing when professional remediation may be needed. The awareness effort comes as summer transitions into fall, when lingering humidity, seasonal storms and shifting temperatures can leave moisture in building areas that are easy to overlook.

Water-damaged materials can create conditions for mold growth within 48 to 72 hours, whether the moisture comes from a roof leak, plumbing problem, flood, condensation or sustained humidity. Mold may develop behind walls, beneath flooring or inside insulation before visible growth appears. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that mold exposure can cause allergic reactions and respiratory irritation.

“Mold risks vary from market to market, but the importance of awareness and quick action is universal,” said Alex Blair, CEO of RestoPros.

RestoPro advised watching for the following environmental red flags:

• Persistent musty odors: An earthy or musty smell may indicate mold growth, even when no visible patches are present.
• Discoloration or staining: Dark spots, water stains, bubbling paint or warped materials may point to moisture behind a wall, ceiling or floor.
• High indoor humidity: Relative humidity above 60% can create favorable conditions for mold. The EPA recommends keeping indoor levels ideally between 30% and 50%.
• A history of water damage: Materials can remain damp beneath the surface after a leak or flood appears to have dried.
• Possible health symptoms: Some people exposed to damp or moldy conditions may experience coughing, wheezing, a stuffy nose, irritated eyes or skin reactions that worsen indoors.

When one or more of these signs are present, facility managers should take the following steps to limit further moisture damage and better understand whether professional help is needed:

• Find the moisture source. Identify and repair leaks or humidity problems that may be contributing to mold growth.
• Avoid disturbing large or concealed areas. Scrubbing or spraying mold-affected areas may release spores into the air and spread contamination.
• Document the conditions. Photograph visible staining or damage, note where odors are strongest and record any recent leaks or flooding.
• Avoid painting or sealing over visible mold growth. Covering the affected area traps underlying moisture and leaves mold unaddressed.
• Know when to contact a professional. The EPA advises consulting an experienced remediation professional when mold covers more than approximately 10 square feet, follows extensive water damage or may be present inside walls, HVAC components or other difficult-to-access areas.