While the organiser worked harder than ever at creating an attractive multi-faceted event, ISSA/Interclean North America 2014’s visitor numbers proved a little disappointing. It attracted some 14,000 registrants to Orange County Convention Center, Orlando (Florida) in early November but that number is markedly down when compared with 2012’s 16,000 when held in Chicago.
“At same time, this year’s show was well organised with great activities; presentations; and many opportunities to learn and network,” pointed out leading industry consultant Bill Griffin.
“There is no question that the ISSA and its shows and programs are laying the foundation to unify and strengthen all segments of the cleaning industry on an international basis,” he added.
The organiser observed that, ‘Like its predecessors, ISSA/Interclean North America 2014 again succeeded in being the one week where key leaders and decision-makers in the commercial cleaning industry converged to take advantage of the most efficient and informative way to find new opportunities and strengthen business connections, according to attendee and exhibitor feedback.
‘Not only were decision-makers from the industry’s top distributors, building service contractors, and large purchasing organisations present, but more than 800 such organisations were represented that hadn’t participated in the event last year in Las Vegas.
‘Of those new firms, 374 were distributors drawing from the Southeast region, from outside of the US, and also from vertical markets, such as the office products, industrial, and food service sectors. Their top reason for attending was to access product lines, market intelligence, and executive education they couldn’t find at any other industry event.’
As well as the exhibition and ISSA’s Convention Seminars, four other industry groups held their annual conventions during the week: the Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI), Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), IEHA, and the newest co-location partner Cleaning Trade Equipment Association (CETA).
The International Window Cleaners Association (IWCA) also hosted safety workshops for the first time during ISSA/Interclean, while readers and trainees from ISSA’s newly acquired Cleaning Maintenance & Management and Cleaning Maintenance Institute family of resources joined the event, to further expand the depth of purchasers represented.