Robotics, sustainability, and innovation are likely to be among the hot topics on the agenda as the cleaning world reconnects at the 2022 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo in Sydney on September 14-15.

After a number of postponements because of COVID-19, the expo shapes as a chance for exhibitors and attendees to celebrate the industry’s crucial health and hygiene role during the past two years of the pandemic.

ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is hosting the event at the Sydney International Convention Centre (ICC), where commercial and industrial cleaners, building services contractors, facility managers and healthcare and government and education facility representatives will be among the crowd.

Lauren Micallef, Oceania Manager ISSA, says this year’s event will feature more than 3000 attendees, 70 exhibitors, more than 40 speakers, 16 free-to-attend speaker sessions plus four other workshops.

A photographer will be onsite to take headshots of attendees to assist their marketing initiatives.

“More than two years have passed since we all came together,” she says. “So much has happened in between and the market is enthusiastic to meet again.”

The sentiment is shared by Mark Phelan, Commercial Director – Professional at Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions.

“We have all learned to work remotely and had virtual meetings to discuss new products, business opportunities and partnerships,” he says.

“That could appear to be the ‘new normal’ way to work, but the reality is that meeting with people in person is way better. It is more productive and efficient and self-motivating.”

Just back from an international event, Phelan says the gathering provided a face-to-face catch-up with suppliers, customers, colleagues, friends, and opinion leaders.

“Smart work is now part of our life, but networking in person is vital for our industry and any industry to progress and innovate.”

Phelan now welcomes the chance to do likewise in Sydney.

Innovation to the fore

The two-day, free-to-attend event in Darling Harbour is the only show in the southern hemisphere that is dedicated to the cleaning and hygiene industry.

Exhibitors will showcase their latest products, services and innovations at a time when many businesses are battling labour shortages and seeking innovative technologies and processes than can boost productivity.

Dr Greg Whiteley, executive chairman of Whiteley, says the expo is a vital part of our industry, especially this year as it gives all attendees the ability to tap into the latest industry trends as businesses emerge from COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

“Our industry is dynamic, and everything is subject to constant change and evolution.If you do not keep up with changes, new products, and technologies, as well as changes in processes, then you and your business will be left behind the competition.

“You will ultimately run the risk of losing business to your competitors. Sometimes the changes only benefit your customers, but there are often other innovations that will improve profitability for those that adopt the changes effectively and in a timely manner.”

Whiteley is sponsoring the education theatre at the expo, and Dr Whiteley will be a part of the education program.

Stuart Nicol, ISSA Advisory Council chair and a director of Quipment, says the expo represents the only time the industry comes together socially, too.

“The expo always delivers on a couple of levels – one from a product release point of view as companies use it to get their new products and technology in front of people, but it also gives organisations a chance to meet with the opposition as well and see what they’re doing,” he says.

“They get ideas from the expo and they take that back to their organisations as well.”

Nicol stressed, too, the great educational opportunity that the expo affords attendees as they seek to learn the latest about trends, technology and training in the industry.

Micallef urges international exhibitors and business to make the trip to Sydney, noting that the expo represents one of the first opportunities for global participants in the industry to take part at such a well-attended event. The floor show is almost sold out, with high-profile local and international brands exhibiting.

“The latest products and technologies will be on show and any businesses that move quickly to adopt the latest trends will have a competitive edge in their markets,” Micallef says.

Learnings for all

Former champion Sydney Swans Australian Rules star Michael O’Loughlin will be one of the featured speakers as part of the education program at the Expo.

Now an executive in the building services industry and a mentor in the Indigenous community, O’Loughlin will join about 40 speakers who will use the education sessions to discuss the post-pandemic road to recovery.

O’Loughlin will be joined by Rohan Tobler, who works for the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. The pair both play a vital role in ARA Indigenous Services, which offers a diverse range of industrial services through the ARA Group and works to generate jobs for Indigenous people.

ARA director Adam Mercer, who will be on a panel discussion at the expo, says it is significant that the expo will champion Indigenous voices.

“It’s about creating opportunities in the community, and that’s what our session is going to be aimed at and how we can help other Indigenous folk.”

He is also eager to engage in networking while checking out new innovation and technology trends.

“In cleaning, after COVID-19, there’s been a bit of a race to the bottom with costs,” Mercer says.

“Cleaning is always the first that’s targeted to reduce costs, so we have to find efficiencies and we’ll see innovation at the show to give us those solutions.”

More broadly, the education program will ensure visitors from all areas of the cleaning and hygiene industry can receive practical advice from industry experts.

It will cover a wide range of important topics, including corporate social responsibility; technology and innovation; aged care cleaning and hygiene; the risk of working with chemicals; the importance of collaboration; coping with change; and delivering successful tenders and quotes.

Workshops will be held on many topics, including:

• LinkedIn: Boost your brand awareness
• Differentiate and elevate your business in a hyper-intensive market
• The Packaging Challenge: Towards packaging waste circularity solutions for the cleaning and hygiene industry
• GBAC Risk Management Approach: Who, What, When, How

The countdown is on

With the expo now gearing up, Phelan says the event is the “perfect stage” to introduce new products and solutions to the market.

“We’re looking to this event to show our cleaning solutions and see what the other exhibitors are proposing,” he says.

“But it’s certainly more than that. It’s the possibility to talk to people, understand what the new directions and challenges are and be inspired to improve and be better in what we do.”

To register for free to attend the 2022 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, visit www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com.

The INCLEAN Excellence Awards will be announced at the networking drinks at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo on September 14.