Having just come back from the ISSA Conference in Dallas, this question is easy to answer. Two things come to mind immediately: 1) Education and 2) Networking.
ISSA, founded in 1923, is the largest support organization for the JanSan (Janitorial and Sanitary) industry having thousands of members throughout the world. Their global reach touches every aspect of the profession and, as the leader in the industry, puts them in contact with the latest technologies and tools that support it. The size of this event can be overwhelming but focusing on these two goals I’ve mentioned makes it manageable.
Education—Every day is dedicated to a plethora of great training spanning a broad spectrum of topics. There were live demos on how to use new products and chemicals. Seminars dealing with infection control, green cleaning technologies, digital marketing, building a brand and mentoring were only a few of the more than 50 topics listed on our ISSA 2018 app.
In the ISSA Education Theatre Booth, NORMI was given a spot to chat briefly with JanSan professionals on the topic, “Mold Won’t Hurt You…Unless You’re You”. This was an opportunity to introduce the larger topic of “Mold—Should I Sanitize or Remediate” which was a six-hour class offered in one of the classrooms on the first floor.
ISSA sponsored a two-day CMI Train the Trainers program for those interested in learning how to train their employees and others on the Cleaning Standards developed and supported by ISSA.
From the education opportunity alone, this event was money well-spent. Staying on top of the industry and understanding where it’s headed are critical to any business interested in growing in this global economy.
Networking—You simply can’t put a price on the ability this conference provides to connect to other professionals who are interested in helping each other succeed. If you’re looking for a business-to-business event, this is it.
As a mold professional, we were excited to get involved in an industry where mold licensing may not be required but where workers need to understand what they can and can’t do to protect themselves, their employees and their clients from the dangers associated with mold and other IAQ issues. Making ourselves available as a resource is simply a great opportunity to promote what we do.
ISSA Show North America 2019 is scheduled for November 18-21 in Las Vegas, NV. With more than 750 exhibitors from 24 countries and 17,000+ expected to attend, this event is one you shouldn’t miss.
For more information about NORMI and training for the states that require mold licensing, email support@normi.org or call 877.251.2296