A world-class cultural institution in New York has claimed top honours in this year’s Spotless Spaces Competition, placing the spotlight firmly on how cleaning strategy shapes the visitor experience at scale.
ISSA, in partnership with Tork, has announced the winners of its second annual program, recognising facilities teams that elevate hygiene into a disciplined, high-performing craft. While the competition spans airports and mass transit systems, the American Museum of Natural History stands apart, securing the Tork Think Ahead Facility Excellence Award.
Where hygiene meets experience
Set against the complexity of one of the world’s most visited museums, the win reflects a custodial operation that balances precision with public engagement. Millions move through its halls each year, creating a constant cycle of use that demands consistency at every touchpoint. Floors, amenities and shared spaces form part of a broader narrative where cleanliness underpins trust.
According to Michael S Freshour, senior director of custodial services at the Museum, the focus centres on delivering a smooth and comfortable journey for every guest. That ambition plays out through disciplined routines and a team culture built on accountability.
Tork’s judging framework places equal weight on environmental performance and user experience. The Museum’s approach answers both. A structured training program equips staff with clear protocols while encouraging adaptability across varied environments, from exhibition spaces to high-traffic amenities. Inclusive hygiene also sits at the core, ensuring facilities remain accessible and intuitive for all visitors.
Precision at scale
What sets the Museum apart lies in its ability to translate strategy into repeatable action. Large public venues often struggle with variability, yet the operation here leans into standardisation without losing responsiveness. Cleaning becomes an orchestrated system, one that responds to flow, density and time of day.
Matthew Urmanski, vice president commercial for North America at Essity, points to the Museum’s integration of sustainable hygiene solutions as a defining factor. Efficiency gains emerge through smarter resource use, supported by tools and processes that reduce waste while maintaining high standards.
A global benchmark
Beyond New York, the competition highlights how different environments interpret excellence. Tampa Bay International Airport, maintained by Flagship Facility Services, claimed the US Spotless Space of the Year, while Quito Metro Stations, managed by Forto Facilities, secured the international title. Each reflects a tailored response to scale and complexity.
Yet the Museum’s recognition carries a distinct weight. Cultural institutions operate within a unique tension where preservation, education and public access intersect. Cleaning teams navigate delicate materials alongside dense visitor traffic, often in architecturally intricate settings.
Raising the bar
International Cleaning Week, which hosts the awards, continues to sharpen the industry’s focus on visibility and value. The work of cleaning professionals moves closer to the centre of operational strategy, where health outcomes and user perception converge.
ISSA executive director Kim Althoff frames the winners as a signal of where the sector is heading. Standards continue to rise as facilities adopt data-informed practices and invest in workforce capability.
Within that shift, the American Museum of Natural History offers a clear model. Its custodial operation reads as both system and service, grounded in discipline yet shaped by the human experience it supports.
