Becoming certified as a Minority- and/or Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) has numerous benefits, including access to federal contracts, networking opportunities, mentoring, and financial programs. Sabrina St. John, CEO of Empower 360 Group and a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant, briefed interested cleaning business owners on the requirements, benefits, and challenges of obtaining a MWBE certification during an education session at ISSA Show North America on Wednesday.

“An MWBE certification enables everyone to get a piece of the pie,” St. John said. “It increases diversity in the workforce and offers opportunity to underrepresented communities.”

For all its benefits, there are several barriers to MWBE certification, St. John said. First, people have a lack of awareness of the certification and the benefits it brings. For those who are aware of the certification, the complexity of the application process can be discouraging. “You need a lot of documents, and it can be very time-consuming to gather them,” St. John explained.

Many cleaning organizations are small and have limited administrative capacity to help them through the application process. Add financial restraints and fear of being rejected and many qualified businesses are ready to give up on the process.

St. John led ISSA Show attendees through the five-step process of obtaining a MWBE certification.

• Step one: Determine your eligibility. This step entails ensuring you meet specific business ownership and demographic requirements. “Your business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman and/or minority,” St. John explained.
• Step two: Gather all the required documents. These documents include personal and business tax returns, proof of ethnicity and gender, business licenses and permits, and bank signature cards, among others.
• Step three: Complete the application. St. John explained that applicants need to submit the application through a certifying agency.
• Step four: Complete a site visit or interview. This visit will often entail certifying representatives visiting your business to verify control and operations. “It does not matter if you run your business out of your home or an office, you still must complete this step,” St. John said.
• Step five: Enjoy final approval. Once approved, you’ll receive a certificate and be listed in official databases. “The day I received my certification was even more exciting than the day I received my college diploma,” St. John said.

On Wednesday, ISSA Show North America awarded the recipients of the 2025 Innovative Leaders Award Program, showcasing cutting-edge products and breakthrough solutions transforming the worldwide cleaning industry.

The honorees of this year’s recognition program, revealed at the Innovation Showcase and Theatre on the ISSA expo floor, demonstrate exceptional advancement and innovation across the cleaning industry. Each category winner and two honorees were selected by an expert judging panel comprised of distinguished industry executives, including delegates from leading councils, committees, and professional organizations throughout the sector.

“The Innovative Leaders Award Program recognizes the exceptional ingenuity and forward-thinking solutions that define excellence in the industry by honoring companies and individuals that push boundaries and set new standards for cleaning technology and operational efficiency,” said Ed Nichols, Show Director of ISSA Show North America.

The winners for each category are as follows:

Automation and Equipment Innovation of the Year: Gausium – Miracle Cleaning Concept

Honorees:

• Diversey, a Solenis Company – TASKI Ultimaxx 360
• Kaivac, Inc. – Kaivac 1050M

Facility Solution Care Products Innovation of the Year: Ecolab, Inc. – Fill & Clean ™ Series of Commercial-Grade Cleaners

Honorees:

• Clorox Pro–Clorox Screen+ Sanitizing Wipes
• SC Johnson Professional–TruShot 2.0® No Rinse Sanitizer

Hygiene Solutions Innovation of the Year: Diversey, a Solenis Company – Lesseau®

Honorees:

• Vectair Systems, Inc –V-Air Flow
• Tork, an Essity brand–Tork PeakServe Automatic Continuous Hand Towel Dispenser

Environment and Sustainability Innovation of the Year: Force of Nature–The NEW Force of Nature Pro On Demand

People’s Choice Award: Kaivac Inc.—Kaivac 1050M

Honorees:

• Force of Nature–The NEW Force of Nature Pro On Demand
• GP PRO—Dixie Ultra® SmartStock® Mini Tri-Tower Cutlery Dispenser

Each exhibiting company presented innovative products that have transformed the commercial, institutional, and residential cleaning sectors by tackling critical operational challenges faced by industry professionals while safeguarding and enhancing occupant wellness.

By delivering comprehensive education, hands-on product showcases and year-round networking opportunities, ISSA Show North America advances worldwide public health and safety standards, offering essential tools and knowledge for distributors, building service contractors, facility management companies and diverse professionals across the global cleaning industry.

“We are always seeking the next generation of solutions that will transform our industry,” said Kim Althoff, Executive Director of ISSA. “This showcase exemplifies that very spirit, a platform to discover the newest products and technologies that will define the next wave of cleaning and facility solutions. These breakthrough products represent the evolution toward smarter, more efficient and more sustainable solutions.”

To view the full list of participants, finalists and honorees for the 2025 Innovative Leaders Award Program, please visit www.issashow.com.