Hangover By: Stephen Ashkin The Green Author provides the prescription for a successful show experience. T Stephen P. Ashkin is president of The Ashkin Group, a con-sulting firm specializing in greening the cleaning process and founder of the Green Cleaning Network, now operat-ed with ISSA. In the book Environmentalism Unbound , Dr. Robert Gottlieb describes Ashkin as the “leading advocate for a stronger environmental profile among cleaning product manufacturers and suppliers” and the “most visible industry figure advancing the cause of environmentally preferable products.” The Ashkin Group provides green consulting serv-ices for school districts as well as building owners, product manufacturers and cleaning contractors. For more informa-tion on The Ashkin Group visit http://www.ashkingroup.com, call (812) 332-7950 or e-mail: [email protected]. The annual ISSA/INTERCLEAN ® North America trade show is not really known for lots of surprises. Instead, the show, like ISSA itself and our industry, can be compared to a big ocean liner in the middle of the Atlantic — it keeps steadily mov-ing forward, changing directions slowly, carefully and only after much thought and consideration. However, one thing we can expect is that the trade show will continue to be greener. In fact, with all the new products and equipment being introduced by several manufacturers, this yearʼs show may prove to be the greenest trade show ever. So much so, some exhibitors and attendees may even be preparing themselves for a “green hangover” after spending four days seeing, talk-ing, living and breathing green cleaning. With this a possibility, itʼs only fair to ask, are we hearing too much about environmental issues and, more specifically to our industry, green cleaning? Are the environment, sustainability and green in general becoming passé or have we reached a turning point with the green evolution entering an entirely new phase, one that is much bigger and broader than ever imagined just a year or two ago? My vote is for the latter and I will explain why in a moment. However, letʼs review the current state of green affairs and see if we are already suffering from a for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: ISSA . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Green . Most booths this year will have green in common. 18 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • October 2009
CMM – Archives Oct 2009: 18
