Summer and fall increases in COVID-19 activity have occurred yearly since 2020, creating an expected surge of activity during this time. As COVID-19 activity increases in California, state health officials recommend getting immunized against this disease. It has been proven safe and effective in preventing serious illness and death in children and adults. "As COVID-19 activity rises each summer, and our kids are getting back to school, getting vaccinated is one of the strongest ways we can protect our families and keep our communities thriving,” said Dr. Erica Pan, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) director and state public health officer. “By staying up to date on your vaccine, you’re choosing health, resilience and the freedom to enjoy the season with confidence.” California health officials recommend that : Everyone 6 months and older should have access to and the choice to receive available COVID-19 vaccines. Anyone who hasn’t received a dose of 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine or is due for a second dose get vaccinated now as increases in infections are occurring. Some groups (young children, immunocompromised people) may need multiple doses. People 65 and older or who are immunocompromised are recommended to receive two available doses six months apart. Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death, the health department said. CDPH recommends that healthcare providers continue to administer the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine through the summer while awaiting arrival of the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine later this year. For the last two years we’ve seen higher peaks of COVID-19 disease activity in late summer than in the winter, so it’s important to protect now. Talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for you and your family.
A panel representing all aspects of the cleaning industry kicked off opening day of ISSA Show North America 2025 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas with the goal of motivating attendees to reach out to their colleagues, build a personal network, and advance in the industry. “Let’s make the cleaning industry a career destination,” said Laura Craven, vice president of marketing for Imperial Dade, one of the four panelists. “There is something for everyone in this industry; a lot of opportunities for career growth.” “Start building your personal network today,” added panelist Laurie Sewell, president and CEO of Servicon Systems Inc. “Look around the room; introduce yourself. It’s one thing to share business cards, but you need to take that further by keeping in touch regularly.” Moderated by John Nothdurft, ISSA director of government affairs, the opening session explored common challenges facing the cleaning industry today, such as the successful implementation of new cleaning technology. Sewell said the best technology in the world won’t make a difference without employee buy-in. “Employees will want to know what’ s in it for them,” she explained. Sewell advised organizations to set up a change management process for technology, teaching staff how to use it correctly and dispelling their fears that the technology will eventually replace them. As the COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impression on the importance of cleanliness, rising cleaning expectations is another issue challenging the industry. Panelist Christoper Limon, executive officer of operations administration for the Los Angeles Metro public transportation system, said with over one million riders daily, the LA Metro started using artificial intelligence to funnel through customer complaints. By streamlining the customer service process, Metro was able to address more issues, which led to an increase in positive customer feedback and a decrease in complaints. Cleaning is not immune to politics, as evidenced by another common challenge Nothdurft posed to the panelists—tariffs. “What’s true today with tariffs maybe was not true yesterday and won’t be true tomorrow,” he quipped. Panelist Bob Robinson Jr., president of Kaivac Inc., believes the instability around tariffs will be a fact of life for the unforeseeable feature. “I’m sure you’ve all been at an amusement park and gone on a rollercoaster, strapped on the safety harness and hung on for dear life,” he said. “That’s what it’s like with tariffs.” Robison said Kaivac deals with the uncertainty by focusing on the factors it can control, such as systems to drive down waste. “By eliminating waste, we can help keep our prices steady,” he explained. Employee turnover and retention are perhaps the cleaning industry’s No. 1. challenge. All the panelists spoke of creating a culture that values staff by providing fair payment and opportunities for training and advancement. Labor issues were covered in more detail at a lively session, Love ‘em or Lose ‘em. Speaker Isaac Johnson, senior vice president of operations at Aramark Healthcare, revealed that the average cost of replacing a cleaning worker is estimated at over US$12,000, factoring in advertising, screening, interviewing, and onboarding costs. Employee engagement is crucial for avoiding turnover. Yet many organizations experience the red flags of employee disengagement, which Cindy Clayton, director of patient experiences at Aramark Healthcare, listed as low morale, high turnover, and decreased performance. “Employees stay when they feel heard, understood, and supported,” Clayton said. Will Smith, district manager of Aramamark Heathcare, revealed the results of a 2025 engagement survey conducted by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Employee engagement scores at the hospital improved 11% in the last year, from 82% in 2024 to 93% in 2025. Smith and the other speakers shared eight tips that have helped Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist with teammate engagement and retention: Strengthen daily communication: Implement consistent, purposeful huddles to align teams and reinforce opportunities. Support new teammates early: Prioritize rounding on new hires to ensure they feel welcomed, supported and heard. Increase leader presence: Boost leader visibility to foster trust and demonstrate commitment to frontline teams. Encourage honest dialogue: Create safe spaces for feedback where teammates feel comfortable sharing concerns and ideas. Follow through on feedback: Improve closing the loop to show responsiveness and build creativity with staff. Recognize and reward contributions: Enhance recognition efforts to acknowledge individual and team achievements meaningfully. Support overall wellness: Prioritize well-being by ensuring teammates feel supported, both personally and professionally. Build team culture through celebrations: Promote celebrations that strengthen and reinforce a positive work environment. Putting their words into practice, the speakers ended the education session with a mini-party featuring music, scratch-off cards for prizes, and Las Vegas-themed treat bags.
ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, proudly unveils ISSA VEO – Visión, Empeño, Oportunidad, a national initiative to unify, support, and elevate Hispanic professionals within the cleaning and facility solutions industry. With the introduction of ISSA VEO, the organization also announced the ISSA VEO Council and the inaugural ISSA VEO Conference, taking place Sept. 29 and 30 in Chicago during Hispanic Heritage Month. “ISSA VEO represents our long-term commitment to the advancement of Hispanic professionals across all levels of the cleaning industry,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “This unified platform brings clarity, purpose, and power to the work ahead. We’re here to support Hispanic professionals, empower the workforce, and spotlight Hispanic excellence as a driving force shaping the future of our industry.” ISSA VEO is designed to: Serve Hispanic professionals, within our industry, with the resources to grow and scale Create bilingual, culturally relevant community, training and leadership pathways Elevate Hispanic presence across every level of the industry Position professionals, representing nearly 70% of the cleaning industry workforce, as a critical force in shaping the future of the industry All programming and initiatives will operate under the ISSA VEO brand, including: ISSA VEO Council – A leadership body composed of ISSA members and advisors who will guide the initiative’s direction and impact ISSA VEO Conference – A two-day, in-person, bilingual event celebrating Hispanic excellence ISSA VEO Webinars – Ongoing bilingual education and leadership development ISSA VEO Awards – Recognition for outstanding contributions and leadership within the Hispanic community ISSA VEO Sponsors – Strategic partners investing in the growth and success of this movement The four strategic pillars of ISSA VEO are: Business Advancement – Bilingual programming in finance, operations, technology, and growth strategy Workforce Development – Career mobility training for frontline workers—from cleaning professional to manager to executive/owner Industry Representation – Elevating Hispanic professionals as innovators, executives, and thought leaders Leadership Career Mobility – Pathways for advancement, mentorship, and executive development The ISSA VEO Conference will welcome Hispanic leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals for a high-impact experience of networking, training, and inspiration. The event will feature respected voices from both within and outside the industry, including Rebecca Contreras, former white house advisor; Maria Cardona, recognized among the most influential Latinos in the country, Maria is a Principal at the Dewey Square Group, leading the Multicultural and Public Affairs practices, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the Association of Hispanic Professionals; the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Secretary of Labor; AT&T; and Comcast, to name a few. To learn more about the ISSA VEO Conference and register, click here. The ISSA VEO Council is open to all ISSA members who are passionate about creating a more inclusive and representative cleaning industry. Go here to get involved and apply.
ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, launched ISSA Consulting—a suite of consulting services designed to help organizations improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and drive business growth amidst challenges such as budget constraints and evolving facility demands. ISSA Consulting provides a full range of solutions, including operational assessments, training program development, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance support, work loading, process and operational improvement, digital marketing, public relations, and customized services tailored to the needs of building service contractors, in-house cleaning teams, distributors, and manufacturers. “ISSA is committed to advancing the cleaning industry through education, advocacy, and now direct consulting,” said ISSA Chief Global Education Officer Brant Insero. “Our consulting services provide organizations with practical, expert guidance to strengthen their operations, protect their employees, and enhance the value they deliver to customers every day.” Led by ISSA Associate Director of Consulting David Swindle, the team combines industry expertise with practical, on-site and virtual support to solve real-world challenges—especially now as organizations navigate budget cuts and manage rising occupancy in office buildings. ISSA Consulting will provide measurable improvements with minimal disruption to daily operations. The team partners directly with each organization to ensure the recommended changes align with their culture, goals, and regulatory requirements. These services have already helped clients such as National Geographic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Round Rock ISD, Washington County, Cal State Northridge, Kaivac, City of Guelph, University of Guelph, SC Johnson, and Hill & Markes to optimize operations, reduce costs, improve outcomes, and effectively manage budgets. Together with our Global Consulting Network Partners, ISSA delivers unmatched industry expertise and regional insight to maximize impact: ISSA offers industry expertise alongside its Global Consulting Network Partners to maximize impact: Dan Marsh—Hinz Group offering strategic pipeline analysis. Danny Murawinski—Exit Built providing website development and lead generation. Josh Thiel—Hinz Group supplying proposal development and government contracting strategy. Matt Serra—Mulberry Marketing Communications dispensing strategic marketing and communications. Nicole Bernardo—Cornerstone Virtual Partners delivering operational strategy and leadership. Richard Curry—ST Facility Maintenance Consulting furnishing organizational and operational optimization. Paul Greenland—Ikigai Management Consultants allocating business strategy and leadership support. “We know the unique demands faced by cleaning industry professionals,” Swindle said. “ISSA Consulting offers an experienced, objective perspective to help companies improve processes, reduce risks, and achieve their business goals efficiently.” For more information about ISSA Consulting and its services, click here.
ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is proud to champion events that bring real value to its members and the industry, and Cleaning & Cocktails Live (C&C Live) is just that. This isn’t a typical trade show. It’s an immersive, high-energy experience built by operators, for operators. Taking place Aug. 19-20 in Nashville, the event offers more than learning—it opens the door to actual business opportunities. With peer-led panels, tactical growth sessions, and The Deal Bar, a one-of-a-kind matchmaking forum connecting subcontractors with primes ready to hire, C&C Live is raising the bar for what it means to gather in this industry. We’re stronger when we learn and grow together, and this event embodies that spirit. For tickets and the full agenda, click here.
ISSA Today’s July/August 2025 digital issue is now available. This issue, you can check out how to maximize the way you use artificial intelligence, learn how to power up your company’s marketing and branding approach, discover how to define cleaning for health through metrics, and simplify how you approach indoor air quality assessments. Additionally, get an inside look at a market snapshot in the 2025 cleaning and hygiene report, review what is coming up for ISSA Show North America 2025, and then enjoy a special Member Spotlight on Harvard Services Group. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find in this issue: Straight Talk: The Military Mindset President’s Message: Cleaning for Health: It’s for Everyone ISSA In Action!: An inside look at what ISSA is doing for its members today. IAQ Uncovered: A breakdown of critical elements that define your building’s indoor environment. The Power of AI Agents: Work smarter, not harder. Defining Cleaning for Health Through Metrics: Indexes provide a measurement for surface and air contaminants. From Invisible to Indispensable: How to stay relevant in a hyper-digital world. The 2025 Cleaning and Hygiene Report: A market snapshot from Q1 and the signals for where to look next. Plug Into EVs to Improve Your Company’s Bottom Line: The benefits of replacing your gas-powered fleet with electric vehicles go beyond sustainability. Strategic Execution: This is where your facility management plan lives or dies. The ‘Or What?’ Question: Understand the four levels of sales management. Member Spotlight on Harvard Services Group: Empowering women, championing sustainability, and redefining commercial cleaning. View the Table of Contents to see everything available in this issue. Keep up to date with industry topics in video format. Subscribe today for free. Advertise and promote your company, products, and services in the next issue of ISSA Today magazine!
On July 3, Congress approved a major tax and spending bill, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed with a final vote of 218-214. The Senate passed the legislation with a final vote of 51-50 on July 1. Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on July 4. The legislation includes several key tax provisions that will directly benefit the cleaning and facility-solutions industries. ISSA strongly supported the following provisions in the bill: Expanded 529 Accounts for Workforce Training: The legislation expands qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to include post-secondary training and credentialing, such as licenses and professional certifications like those used for cleaning workers. ISSA members advocated for this expansion as part of the 2025 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit. Making the Small-Business Deduction Permanent: Solidifying the Section 199A deduction will provide tax certainty for pass-through cleaning businesses, allowing them to reinvest in their operations and workforce without the threat of future tax hikes. Restoring 100% Bonus Depreciation: Renewing immediate expensing of capital investments through 100% bonus depreciation will encourage cleaning companies to invest in new equipment and technologies—spurring productivity, healthy spaces, and economic growth. Revived Expensing of Research and Development Costs: The bill permanently restores the ability of businesses to deduct domestic research and experimental expenditures immediately, providing critical support for innovation in the cleaning sector. “The 2025 tax package Congress passed significantly advances the cleaning and facility-solutions industries by expanding workforce training and promoting competitiveness through pro-growth tax policies,” said ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft. “ISSA thanks Congress and President Trump for including these important provisions in the final bill and passing it into law.” Facility managers who participated in Cleaning & Maintenance Management’s 2025 annual In-House Facility Management Benchmarking Survey listed employee training as their biggest concern with their cleaning staff. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 69% of janitors and 75% of housekeepers have a high-school diploma or less. ISSA members sent nearly 150 messages to their members of Congress urging them to support ISSA’s legislative priorities, including a bill to transform 529 college-savings plans into career-savings plans. And the association served as a leading member of the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, a broad group of organizations that advocated for beneficial workforce-development public policies to strengthen the economy. Register now for the free ISSA webinar Tariffs and Taxes and Training, Oh My at 12 p.m. CT on July 17 to learn more about the 2025 tax package and how the new law is likely to impact the cleaning industry. For questions about ISSA Advocacy, including the recently passed tax bill, contact ISSA Senior Government Affairs Manager Stacy Seiden.
ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is accepting nominations for the 2025 ISSA Emerging Leaders Awards. Members are encouraged to submit nominations before the July 3 deadline. The ISSA Emerging Leaders Awards recognize the brightest young talent across the cleaning and facility solutions supply chain—including manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, distributors, building service contractors, facility services providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—who are proven leaders in their field. This program is a complimentary benefit for all current ISSA members, and nominations are open to anyone employed by an ISSA member company who will be younger than 40 years old as of October 2025. “In recent years, we have witnessed an influx of fresh new talent in the cleaning industry,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “There’s no better time than right now to cast a spotlight on these rising stars. As an association, we have an obligation to acknowledge the amazing achievements of these Emerging Leaders as we encourage them to continue to shine brightly and elevate our entire industry to new heights.” ISSA members are invited to help shape the next generation of industry pioneers by submitting nominations and completing a short questionnaire. Self-nominations are also accepted. The 2025 ISSA Emerging Leaders will be recognized at ISSA Show North America 2025 and featured in the association’s member magazine, ISSA Today, as well as across ISSA’s social media channels. Emerging Leaders will also have expanded opportunities for visibility and engagement throughout the year. For more information and to submit a nomination before the July 3 deadline, visit issa.com/EmergingLeaders.
ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is accepting nominations for the 2025 ISSA Emerging Leaders Awards. People are encouraged to submit nominations before the July 3 deadline. The ISSA Emerging Leaders Awards recognize the brightest young talent across the cleaning and facility solutions supply chain—including manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, distributors, building service contractors, facility services providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—who are proven leaders in their field. This program is a complimentary benefit for all current ISSA members, and nominations are open to anyone employed by an ISSA member company who will be younger than 40 years old as of October 2025. “In recent years, we have witnessed an influx of fresh new talent in the cleaning industry,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “There’s no better time than right now to cast a spotlight on these rising stars. As an association, we have an obligation to acknowledge the amazing achievements of these Emerging Leaders as we encourage them to continue to shine brightly and elevate our entire industry to new heights.” ISSA members are invited to help shape the next generation of industry pioneers by submitting nominations and completing a short questionnaire. Self-nominations are also accepted. The 2025 ISSA Emerging Leaders will be recognized at ISSA Show North America 2025 and spotlighted in the association’s member magazine, ISSA Today, as well as across ISSA’s social media channels. Emerging Leaders will also have expanded opportunities for visibility and engagement throughout the year. For more information and to submit a nomination, click here before the July 3 deadline.
The May/June 2025 issue of ISSA Today Magazine is now available in digital format. Check out how women in the industry are navigating top leadership roles; see what happened at the ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C.; and learn why climate risk reporting is not something you should do but something you must do. Discover the benefits of credentialing to elevate yourself and your company, and don’t miss news and updates on all that ISSA is doing for its members. Wrap it all up with an inside look at Betco and how the company is celebrating 75 years of success. Straight Talk A Unified Voice President’s Message It’s Time to Show Up ISSA In Action! An inside look at what ISSA is doing for its members today Digital Product Passports An ID card unlocking the future of the cleaning industry Voices for the Cleaning Industry Making a difference on Capitol Hill Credentialing What can it do for you and your company? AI and Technology A smarter path forward in sales and marketing Women in Leadership How women are redefining leadership in facility solutions Understanding Climate Risk Reporting and Transparency Why this matters in the cleaning industry From Planning to Performance How EOS turns strategy into action for industry leaders Member Spotlight on Betco A 75-year legacy of innovation, family, and industry leadership View the Table of Contents to see everything available in this issue. Keep up to date with industry topics in video format. Subscribe today for free. Advertise and promote your company, products, and services in the next issue of ISSA Today magazine!
The latest issue of INCLEAN magazine is now available in digital format. The May/June 2025 edition of INCLEAN, an ISSA media publication representing the Oceania and Asia-Pacific region, covers the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the cleaning and facility solutions industry. This issue examines the link between business growth and regulatory compliance, shines a spotlight on emerging leaders, details methods for ensuring customer satisfaction, provides an antimicrobial approach to cleaning, reimagines sales and marketing practices, and much more. Access the digital edition here.
In 2000, Jeanine Thomas was admitted to a hospital for surgery to repair her broken ankle after she slipped and fell on ice. This week, Thomas shared her story of contracting Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from germ-ridden instruments used during the surgery and ultimately contracting sepsis and C. difficile as well. “I didn’t think I’d still be here talking about this 25 years later,” she told the participants at the 2025 Healthcare Surfaces Institute Summit at ISSA headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois. Thomas was a speaker at the summit, organized by the Healthcare Surfaces Institute (HSI) a division of ISSA, with the goal of collaboration on actionable strategies for improving healthcare surface safety and patient outcomes. Linda Lybert, HSI executive director, opened the event by thanking the participants for attending the first summit since the COVID-19 pandemic and reviewing the work the institute has accomplished in bringing the role of surfaces in the transmission of pathogens to light. “Surfaces are an overlooked issue; nobody really talks about them,” she said. After merging with ISSA in 2024, HSI has resumed its educational webinars, reestablished its summit, and began a podcast series. Future plans include the launch of an ISSA healthcare platform. At the conclusion of her opening remarks Lybert introduced Thomas, the founder and president of the MRSA Survivors Network. Thomas is a frequent speaker advocating for awareness of the hazards of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the importance of HAI screening for high-risk patients. She has also worked with legislators to create laws requiring mandatory public reporting of MRSA and other HAIs. “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat,” Thomas said. “We have not done everything we could to prevent MRSA and other AMRs in U.S. healthcare facilities.” Thomas told her story of entering a hospital for surgery and her subsequent release after what appeared to be a successful procedure, only to be admitted a few days later because she was not feeling well. She was readmitted on a Friday evening, so the results of the tests she was given did not come back until Monday morning. Not realizing she had MRSA, the hospital staff were not able to administer the correct antibiotics in a timely manner. As a result, Thomas contracted sepsis, went into a coma, and her organs started shutting down. She credits the nurses for saving her life, and she remained in the hospital for a month as staff worked to save her leg. In the years that followed, Thomas was in and out of the hospital with a rare form of cancer, and several infections, including C. difficile, staph, and a bone marrow infection. She underwent multiple surgeries and took numerous medications, which negatively affected her immunity. However, she remained a strong voice advocating for the prevention of HAIs and the humane treatment of patients. “We need a culture change; we need to bring humanity back to healthcare,” Thomas said. “I’m here for all those who don’t have a voice, whose voice was cut short by a medical error. HAIs are medical errors.” Solving the HAI crisis requires a comprehensive approach, according to Thomas, Lybert, and the summit participants. The approach includes patient screening, surface disinfection, strict hand hygiene protocols, and good antibiotic stewardship. Following Thomas’ remarks, 12 experts representing the healthcare, science, manufacturing, cleaning, and built environment industries participated in lightning talks. Each offered their opinions and insights on the same three questions: Why are we unable to find sustainable solutions to mitigate HAIs? What are the barriers to success? How can the healthcare value chain address the root causes of HAIs? The speakers identified many reasons for the inability to mitigate HAIs, from lack of disinfection standardization and weaknesses in human behavior and compliance to cost and financial pressures and the emergence/reemergence of evolving pathogens. They all stressed the need for improved surveillance and real-time monitoring of HAIs, standardized infection control training, and regular communication between departments. “Unfortunately, there is never one thing we can do to solve this, there is never a silver bullet,” said Joanna Mills, director of infection prevention for John Muir Health in the East Bay area of San Francisco, explaining the need for a comprehensive approach. Jessica Dangles, executive director of the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, pointed to a lack of buy-in from leadership as a weakness that could be solved by removing the silos between departments. “Infection preventionists need recognition and buy-in at the table,” she said. The 2025 Healthcare Surfaces Summit resumes today. For more information on HSI, visit healthcaresurfacesinstitute.org.
