As airports, restaurants, parks, entertainment venues, and other public facilities welcome larger summer crowds, Bradley Co.’s 17th annual Healthy Handwashing Survey™ highlighted the role well-maintained restrooms play in protecting public health and creating a positive visitor experience.

The survey comes as Americans navigate another busy summer travel season while public health officials continue monitoring foodborne illnesses, norovirus, and common respiratory viruses. Recent Cyclospora outbreaks have also renewed attention on the importance of safe food handling and proper hand hygiene.

“Handwashing, using soap and warm water, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the spread of disease,” said Brian M. Forster, Ph.D., microbiologist and chemical hygiene officer at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. “Our hands touch countless surfaces throughout the day, making them an easy way to pick up germs that can make us sick.”

For facility managers, supporting proper handwashing using soap and water begins with providing clean, well-maintained restrooms, particularly during periods of increased travel and illness. Bradley’s survey found that 81% of Americans wash their hands more frequently during outbreaks of illness, highlighting the role public restrooms play in encouraging healthy handwashing habits.

The survey also revealed a gap between awareness and behavior. Although 93% of Americans said handwashing is important to their overall health, only 76% said they always wash their hands after using a public restroom, and 77% have witnessed someone leave without washing. Respondents most often cited the lack of soap or paper towels as a reason for skipping handwashing, underscoring the importance of keeping essential supplies consistently available.

Beyond supporting hand hygiene, restroom conditions also shape public perception of a business. In fact, 86% of U.S. adults said they expect the quality of a business’s restrooms to reflect the quality of its goods and services. In addition, a positive restroom experience can influence customer loyalty. More than two-thirds of Americans (68%) said they are more likely to return to a business with a clean, well-maintained restroom.

The survey also identified the restroom improvements Americans value most. Top responses include:

• More frequent cleaning and restocking.
• Always providing paper towels, even when hand dryers are available.
• Expanding the use of touchless fixtures.

For more information from the study, click here.

ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, opened registration for the 2026 ISSA VEO Conference (Visión. Empeño. Oportunidad.), Sept.28–29 at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel in Dallas. Hosted during National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Dallas gathering will convene leaders, entrepreneurs, and rising professionals committed to advancing Hispanic representation across the cleaning and facility solutions industries.

After a successful launch in Chicago in 2025, the VEO Conference returns with an expanded vision for Dallas: To unify, support, and elevate the professionals shaping the future of the cleaning and facility solutions industries. The conference is a cornerstone of the year-round VEO platform, which creates pathways for leadership development, professional education, networking, recognition, and community engagement.

“Hispanic professionals represent the heart of our industry,” said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. “Bringing VEO to Dallas during National Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an even stronger platform to celebrate the community while investing in the leaders, innovators, and business owners who will continue shaping our industry for generations to come.”

The conference addresses a critical industry need: Nearly 70% of the front-line cleaning workforce is Hispanic. Through bilingual education, meaningful networking, and practical business strategies, VEO empowers attendees at every stage of their professional journey.

This year’s conference centers around three core leadership pillars:

• Strengthening Financial Literacy
• Increasing Personal and Professional Growth
• Mastering Technology.

Headlining this year’s program is keynote speaker Cherian Thomas, head of global rand partnerships at T-Mobile, who will deliver an energizing message aligned with VEO’s focus on leadership, opportunity, and business growth. Attendees will also experience interactive workshops, bilingual education, executive networking, the prestigious Visionario Award presentation, and the celebratory VEO Gala on Sept. 29.

ISSA Chief Engagement Officer Karina Neff and Karina Villaseñor, vice president of human resources at 4M Building Solutions and 2025 VEO Visionario Award Winner, will cohost the 2026 VEO Conference, welcoming attendees, guiding key moments throughout the program, and celebrating key leaders who are shaping the future of the industry. 

“The energy and connections created during last year’s inaugural conference demonstrated just how important this community is,” Neff said. “This year’s conference builds on that momentum by delivering even more opportunities to learn, connect, and inspire one another. VEO is helping shape a stronger, more representative future for our industry.”

Designed for executive decision-makers, presidents, CEOs, founders, owners, operational leaders, senior leaders, and rising professionals, the event will deliver practical strategies, powerful connections, and leadership insights for attendees at every stage of growth. 

Sponsored by CleanBoss Pro, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, and Tork, the program begins Monday, Sept. 28, with a conference kickoff, half-day workshop sessions, and a networking reception. Tuesday, Sept. 29, features full-day workshop sessions featuring leaders from across the cleaning and facility solutions space and a closing gala celebration. 

Early-bird pricing is available through Aug. 14. Registration, hotel information, room-block details, sponsorship opportunities, and Visionario Award nominations are available at issa.com/veo-conference.