Bringing these organizations together under one roof increases the collabora-tion of various organizations, all aiming to increase the professionalism and visibility of JanSan personnel. Another significant development was the availability of new tools for ISSA members, which included a new Power of Clean video, Value of Clean calculator, Value of Clean cards and the ISSA 2011 smartphone application. Though many in our industry still prefer tangible print documents, the move to mobil-ity through electronic means shows that we are willing to work with popular technology to make our jobs easier and more efficient. ISSA Executive Director John Garfinkel said, “Shifting trends, budget constraints and environmental and regulatory changes demand that the industry adapts how it conducts business, and ISSA is adapting as well to help our members succeed.” A Rose By Any Other Name Regardless of what was new, innovative and exciting, there was more of the same at this year’s show. Claims of “increased productivity with X product or process” were prevalent, as they have been in the past. One-upmanship claims that one is “big-ger, badder and better” than the next com-pany were also echoed. Regardless of what industry one finds his or her self in, the same issues require addressing: Client retention, cost cutting, product differentiation and procuring profit. While a slightly new spin is put on them each year through fresh faces delivering content or by dissecting different minutia of business best practices, the end result is consistent. That is not to say that the various training, certification and educational opportunities available are not worth the investment. Highlights of the keynote addresses included Robert Stephens, founder of Geek Squad, discussing his impressions of how the commercial cleaning industry was an unsung source of innovation and business guru Tom Peters addressing how to lever-age the “little big things” in your company to excel during tough times. Some were disappointed altogether with the event. “We typically get a number of attendees to our booth from the educational sector but, this year, they were missing,” pro-claims Mike Sawchuck, general manager of Enviro-Solutions Ltd. “But, worse, many of the attendees — the people we want to show our products to — show up on the floor tired or hungover.” I surmise the continuity of ISSA/ INTERCLEAN to mean that there is only so much that can be said and done before content begins repeating itself. That said, this year’s show — at which more than 13 percent of visitors hailed from 69 countries outside of the United States and Canada — provided ample opportuni-ties to network, learn and gain foresight into where our industry is headed in the coming years. “It is very rewarding to hear so many exhibitors and attendees tell us that this was their best show in recent years,” con-cludes Garfinkel. CM ELIMINATES ODORS original formula NEW products cigarette smoke dumpster & chute ire & lood laundry TO REQUEST A SAMPLE Phone • E-mail • Visit our Website 888.873.3442 www.odorcide.com [email protected] Product Information no. 207 on page 24 Product Information no. 208 on page 24 www.cmmonline.com 27
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