Ready. Set. Expo! There is a particular energy that builds each year as the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo draws near – from panel discussions in the Education Theatre to the dynamic show floor exhibitions – and this edition is timed to ride that wave straight into Melbourne. From Thursday 8 to Friday 9 October the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will become the beating heart of Australasia’s cleaning and facility solutions industry, with a new Healthcare Surfaces Forum kicking things off on Wednesday 7 October for those focused on infection prevention and patient outcomes.
Fittingly, our cover feature tackles the patchwork of infection control standards across Australian states and healthcare settings, calling for a nationally harmonised approach ahead of the Expo’s own Healthcare Forum.
Elsewhere in the issue, we look beyond the pay cheque at what truly keeps cleaning teams loyal, exploring culture, psychological safety and communication in a workforce that is often dispersed and culturally diverse. Our technology feature turns to the world of sensors and wearables to explore how operators can convert that data into genuine business intelligence and simplified, exception-based decision-making.
A dedicated piece on early learning environments examines the equipment and chemistry needed to protect our youngest cohorts, linking hygiene standards to reduced absenteeism and better educational outcomes. Two thought-provoking opinion pieces round things out. One makes the case for turning health and safety into a genuine sales advantage, complete with a real-world case study showing a 30 to 40 percent revenue increase. The other explains why certification and robust management systems now matter as much as service quality when it comes to winning tenders.
There is a lot to digest before you hit the show floor, so take your hard copy issue with you, and we’ll see you at the Expo.
