Registrations are now open for the 2026 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, which runs 8-9 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The program has been released alongside it, so visitors can shortlist exhibitors, book workshops and add sessions to a personal planner well before the doors open.
The show floor remains the centre of the event. Manufacturers, distributors and suppliers from across the cleaning and facility solutions sector bring products, equipment and solutions to see and test in person, with the ISSA Innovation Zone housing the products shortlisted for this year’s ISSA Excellence Awards. More than 2500 attendees are expected across the two days, with 55 exhibiting companies on the floor and visitors travelling from across the region.
“Whether you’re looking for the latest innovations, practical advice or new ways to improve your business, the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo brings it all together in one place,” says ISSA Oceania Manager Lauren Micallef.” Alongside the exhibition, our education program brings together industry leaders and subject matter experts to share practical ideas, emerging trends and real-world solutions that attendees can take back to their teams. It’s that combination of innovation and learning that makes the Expo such a valuable experience.”
New this year, on Wednesday 7 October, the day before the Expo, is the ISSA Healthcare Surfaces Forum. Hosted by ISSA Healthcare, a division of ISSA and sponsored by Virtual MGR this highly interactive forum brings together infection prevention professionals, environmental services (EVS) leaders, clinicians, researchers, healthcare executives, manufacturers and building service contractors to explore how evidence-based environmental hygiene, surface selection, cleaning practices and emerging innovation can strengthen patient safety. “The Forum is designed to encourage collaboration across disciplines, with expert presentations, facilitated discussions and practical problem-solving focused on advancing healthcare environmental hygiene” stated Linda Lybert, Executive Director Healthcare Surfaces Institute a Division Of ISSA and ISSA Healthcare Lead
For anyone working in healthcare or aged care, the Forum is the start rather than the whole of it. The Healthcare Cleaning Masterclass on Thursday afternoon works through practical strategies for high-risk environments. Friday adds two complimentary sessions: one that addresses how you prove it’s clean while another addresses the blind spots in environmental hygiene and what we are still missing. As Alicia Morgan, Account Manager, ISSA Oceania & Asia Pacific, explains, “In response to industry demand, ISSA has expanded its healthcare and aged care offering through the ISSA Healthcare division. This year’s program has been designed to deliver the specialised education, practical insights and collaboration opportunities.” Together they give teams three days of content built for the work they actually do.
Beyond healthcare, the program is built around the people running and managing the work. Supervisors and operations managers will find sessions on workforce reform and the psychosocial safety obligations employers are now expected to meet. Business owners and commercial leaders can explore why capable companies still lose tenders they should win, and what asset stewardship means as buildings become more expensive to run. For teams weighing up robotics, one session asks directly whether the industry is ready for humanoids. These sessions run complimentary in the Education Theatre on the show floor and are included with visitor registration.
“Sponsoring the Education Theatre at the ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Expo is a natural extension of our mission”. Stated Alissa Shida, Regional Manager, Kikkoman Biochemifa Company and Education Theatre Sponsor “ We’re excited to contribute to the conversations shaping the future of cleaning and hygiene.”
For those looking to develop specialist knowledge, four interactive workshops offer a deeper learning experience. Two focus on people, with From Supervisor to Leader building the skills that turn capable operators into effective managers, and the Healthcare Cleaning Masterclass preparing teams for high-risk environments. The other two focus on business, with Building a Business That Wins showing how compliance can become a commercial advantage, and Bringing Science to Cleaning Decisions making the case for evidence over habit when choosing products and methods. Places are limited and bookings are essential.
The Women in Cleaning and Facility Solutions Breakfast, presented by the ISSA Hygieia Network, opens Thursday morning with clinical psychologist, leadership expert and bestselling author Dr Amy Silver. In her keynote, The Courage to Lead the Future, Dr Silver will share practical strategies for building courage, leading through uncertainty and developing the confidence to navigate change. Offering valuable insights for anyone looking to strengthen their leadership capability while connecting with peers from across the industry.
The first day of the Expo concludes with the ISSA Excellence Awards Celebration in the Innovation Zone, bringing the industry together to connect, network and celebrate the innovations shaping the future of cleaning and hygiene. Over drinks and canapés, attendees will have the opportunity to recognise this year’s Excellence Award finalists and celebrate the announcement of the winners, while catching up with colleagues, exhibitors and industry leaders.
Nominations for the ISSA Excellence Awards close on 17 August. The awards recognise product innovation and technology across the industry and are open to 2026 exhibitors, with finalist products displayed in the Innovation Zone and put to a People’s Choice vote during the Expo.
Networking continues throughout the Expo, with dedicated spaces including the RapidClean Coffee Cart giving visitors opportunities to meet with exhibitors, peers and industry leaders while enjoying a beverage between sessions and events.
ISSA Oceania & Asia Pacific account manager Alicia Morgan added, “Whether you attend to discover new innovations, connect with community or invest in professional development, there is value at every stage of your career journey. ISSA members enjoy significant savings on workshop registrations, giving them access to deeper learning opportunities and exclusive education experiences delivered by ISSA Oceania & Asia Pacific, the industry association behind the Expo.”
The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo is much more than an exhibition, it’s where the industry comes together to learn, connect and shape what’s next.
Registration and the full program are available at cleaninghygieneexpo.issa.com
