As the title suggests, this past year was particularly special for the association, as 2023 represented its 100th anniversary as the leading trade association for the worldwide cleaning industry. The association and its members made 2023 a time to reflect on the many achievements and tremendous growth experienced over the last century, through articles, photos, and opportunities for special recognition. The year-long celebration culminated in Las Vegas in November at 91视频 Show North America 2023, with more than 12,000 cleaning professionals present for the event.

Beyond marking its 100th anniversary, the association also saw amazing advancements within 91视频鈥檚 many avenues for its more than 10,500 members, including its various divisions that focus on distinct areas of the cleaning industry, as well as education opportunities, government affairs, ways to give back to the communities that support the industry though 91视频 Charities, and much more.

To learn more on the specifics of those advancements and opportunities within all the areas of 91视频, check out the听.

The post 91视频 Publishes Its 2023 Year in Review appeared first on Cleanfax.

At least, that鈥檚 the hope.

In this excerpt from the special centennial issue of 91视频 Today, we will have to tell you sometime in the future if some of the thoughts in the following paragraphs were correct. Read on and enjoy what a selection of industry thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, manufacturers, distributors, trainers, end users, and more had to share on the future of the cleaning industry.

This article will focus on four key elements of the industry:

• Innovation
• Cleaning for health
• Sustainability
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Innovation

Brad Horan is with Lucrature^庐听and works as a finance and operations expert in the industry. He feels that artificial intelligence will significantly impact the future, much more than we have experienced recently. 鈥淲e will see artificial intelligence (AI) models detect areas that need cleaning鈥攄riving cleaning to occur based on need,鈥� he predicts. 鈥淭his will reduce the impact of chemicals on the environment, drive down costs, and improve the safety and health of workers.鈥�

AI technology is not just about products and equipment.听Wendie Manion, with Supply Source, sees AI as impactful across organizations. 鈥淚 believe more AI technology will not come just in products, but also in how businesses work,鈥� she says. 鈥淓verything from order entry, purchasing, pricing, and more. I also believe technology overall will affect cleaning for health as new technologies are developed across multiple categories to make things faster, safer, more effective.鈥�

Innovation is beneficial, critical to advancing the industry, and broad in application. That will only grow, according to听Candido Rosario, with Fairfield University听in Connecticut. 鈥淭he field of custodial work is likely to see several innovations in the future,鈥� he explains. 鈥淪mart cleaning systems, robotics and automation, advanced cleaning materials, UV-C disinfection, ultraviolet light technology, augmented reality, customizable cleaning plans, energy efficiency, biometrics, and security鈥� were just a few he mentions.

David Swindle, the CEO of Wellness Cleaning听in Plano, Texas, agrees. 鈥淥ur industry is seeing the emergence of new, on-site generated chemistry, such as aqueous ozone, hypochlorous acid, and chlorine dioxide products,鈥� he says. 鈥淚n addition, peroxide-based chemistry continues to make significant advancements. Looking to the future, I think it will entail the combination of safer and more sustainable chemistry, along with advancements in cleaning materials, such as floor pads, cleaning cloths, and equipment integrated with chemical generation systems.鈥�

Innovation will also impact those who clean homes, not just offices and commercial buildings.听Jeannie Henderson, the CEO of Jeannie Cleaning听in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sees innovation in her space driven, in part, by consumer demand. 鈥淧eople want their home clean and sanitized, but they don鈥檛 want it to come with the risk of exposure to toxic cleaning products,鈥� she explains. 鈥淗omeowners continue to shift their preference to more environmentally conscious products and services. The next-generation cleaning solutions will provide safety for people, pets, and plants while producing excellent cleaning quality. Win! Win! When residential cleaners embrace all-natural and nontoxic cleaning strategies, they are positioned to attract more clients and grow.鈥�

Brian Leafblad is the R&D Senior Manager, Global Business Solutions, at Reckitt. He sees the most meaningful future innovations emphasizing two different areas: Sustainability and Productivity. 鈥淲hen I say sustainability, I mean that in a very broad sense. We must think about sustainability across the value chain, beyond green certifications, although certifications can be very important.听 Sustainability, to me, starts with the manufacturer and sourcing of the ingredients, to the manufacturing processes of the final product, the packaging of products, storage, shipping, and point-of-use processes that impact things such as water levels and quality, employee and customer safety, and waste. When it comes to productivity, how can we all do our jobs better? How do we drive better results in germ kill, soil removal, and surface protection without adding unnecessary labor and cost? How do we help our customers and users of products gain productivity benefits from products?听 Product formulation, format, and packaging are integral to the story, but we also need to look wider to the manufacturing and usage process.鈥�

Susan Gambardella is the president of Kimberly-Clark Professional, North America. She relies on research and data when looking at future innovation. 鈥淥ur research insights indicate users will benefit from several innovation trends in the future, including smart technology and personalization, delivering a measurable and sustainable impact, and human-factored designing,鈥� she explains. 鈥淭he potential convergence of these trends has led to our investment in the development of beneficial product and service innovations that help make our customer鈥檚 workplaces healthier, safer, and more productive while helping to solve some of our industry鈥檚 toughest sustainability challenges.鈥�

Grant Aslett, with the Museum of Clean, is a student of history, which helps him foresee what鈥檚 coming. 鈥淟abor management systems with lower office space occupancy and reduced building traffic鈥擨 see innovative ways to clean only the used areas,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e will have to rethink how we bid on cleaning. I once bid on an airport where the square footage was the same between the Delta terminal and the Southwest terminal, but the traffic was drastically different. Labor requirements were 35% higher for Southwest. Innovation is needed on standards and systems, less on old practices. Also, building design is changing. Many building owners are looking more at the total cost of ownership. The designers and architects are engaging the cleaning and maintenance departments to design buildings that are cheaper to clean and maintain; they are specifying surfaces that look good but don鈥檛 require specialized care for the life of the building.鈥�

Cleaning for health

This component of the cleaning industry is not new, but one that is always discussed and debated. Cleaning for health will also be impacted by innovation, according to听Anthony Maione, the president of Core America. 鈥淎TP (Adenosine triphosphate) testing and the validation of cleaning tasks through apps, sensors, and technology will play a large role in all facilities,鈥� he says. Maione notes that some may feel this type of validation is mainly for health care and food safety facilities, but he sees it impacting all segments of the industry.

Some point to products as part of this equation. 鈥淚 think we are going to see cleaners (chemicals and other products) that no longer are as harmful to the people and the environment,鈥� according to听Todd Stoneking with the University of Utah. 鈥淚 think we see more material that resists soiling and even helps to fight bacteria on the surfaces. Most of all, I believe technology will play a big part, be it autonomous equipment or new methods of killing pathogens with light.鈥�

Cleaning for health will evolve as we continue to stress the significant role of effective hand hygiene and cleaning protocols and procedures in mitigating exposure to pathogens, according to听Keith Schneringer with Envoy Solutions. 鈥淭his, especially as we continue to strive to make the invisible (pathogens) 鈥榲isible.鈥� Ideally, cleaning for health becomes the expectation and the norm for all in the future and more than just a marketing slogan for some in the moment.鈥�

John Strom, vice president and general manager of innovation with GP PRO, sees the impact of the pandemic affecting cleaning for health. 鈥淲e have a generation of people who are growing up amidst a global pandemic, which is and will continue to change their perceptions of health and hygiene for a lifetime,鈥� he explains. 鈥淲hether subconscious or front-of-mind, they will always perceive clean versus hygienic differently, and they will always have heightened expectations both at home and away. As a result, cleaning for appearance is no longer an option. Facilities must find solutions that enable them to deliver a healthy, hygienic space even amid current or potential future labor shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation. Manufacturers will need to develop these solutions. I believe the industry must embrace automation in every way possible to meet evolving consumer demands effectively and efficiently.鈥�

Fabio Vitali, the vice president of marketing for Sofidel America, sees the recent past impacting the future. 鈥淭he pandemic created an urgency to clean and disinfect to a higher standard,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hile public demand to do so now is less than it was during the pandemic, it is still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Certain environments, like hospitals, schools, and public transportation, will continue to implement a higher standard of cleaning protocols, while others will step up activity during outbreaks.鈥�

Some in the industry temper expectations with reality. That鈥檚 the case with听David Grossman, the CEO and president at Renue Systems Inc. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 expect there to be a noticeable change regarding cleaning for health in the future,鈥� he explains. 鈥淲hile disinfecting became heavily demanded during the pandemic, this service has already diminished significantly among many customers. We would like to think that health would be a foremost consideration, but if a customer does not see a visible difference after cleaning, then they are much less likely to pay for it.鈥�

Sustainability

If there is one topic top of mind for the industry, and perhaps the least understood, that would be sustainability. Everyone believes in it and wants to help, but some are still unsure if they can have a meaningful impact. If everyone contributes, everyone wins.

Tony Scibilia, the senior vice president of sales at Heritage Bag, sees that the greatest opportunities ahead involve sustainability. 鈥淥ur industry is experiencing growing demand for post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e expanding our recycling capabilities, helping us to meet this growing demand and allowing our customers to reach their sustainability goals,鈥� he explains. His company has many moving parts involving recycling, saving energy, and expanding work on collecting post-consumer materials.

鈥淔rom chemistries to packaging, we鈥檙e already seeing a pivot to more green and sustainable cleaning products,鈥� notes听John Shoffner, the president of Avision. 鈥淭he past decade has provided the industry with products that protect people and the planet. In the coming decades, we will see widespread adoption of biodegradable and self-renewable cleaning solutions, coupled with the utilization of advanced drone or robotic technology for precision cleaning of hard-to-reach areas. These innovations will improve job satisfaction and effectiveness of commercial cleaners.鈥�

Sustainability will be front and center in the future as more people realize that the environment is not inexhaustible, predicts听Matt Herr with Trojan Battery Company. 鈥淐orporations increasingly take a holistic approach to pollution by building sustainability into every area of their organization: Research and development, product design, manufacturing, packaging, logistics, sales, customer service, and more,鈥� he says. 鈥淪ustainability becomes more cohesive as new spaces are developed, with cleaning integrated into different applications uniquely. That includes flooring materials that can be cleaned with fewer chemicals or just water, HVAC systems that filter dust from the environment more effectively, and germ-resistant surfaces.鈥�

Scott Jarden, the president of The Bullen Companies, cautions on an over-optimistic view of the future of sustainability. 鈥淏ased on recent polling of facility service providers, sustainability and green cleaning have lost the luster they had four or five years ago pre-pandemic. We think, as we move into the future, there will be a shift back to more appreciation for 鈥榞reen鈥� products and processes.鈥�

Some who contributed to this article were specific on how they see sustainability in the future. That鈥檚 the case for听Chris Matson, president of Nexus. 鈥淚n 25 years, it is my opinion that the country will see more regulations on harmful chemicals, like PFAS, in more cities, counties, and states across the United States,鈥� he says. 鈥淚n addition, government restrictions and mandates on using recycled materials will become more of the norm with manufacturers who will be required to use a larger percentage of recycled or even post-consumer raw materials than is used today to make products like can liners, paper towels, and bath tissue. In 50 years, I believe these same regulations will cover most of the country. In 100 years, I believe these same regulations will be mandated even at the federal level,鈥� he adds.

Dane Poeske, with HCI Cleaning Products, cautions those companies that are not looking at the entire scope of sustainability. 鈥淭oday, most of the cleaning innovations are around simple, sustainable packaging changes rather than true product innovations,鈥� he explains. 鈥淭he future will not be pretty for those companies unwilling or unable to develop highly sustainable, next-generation cleaning products and tools that are nontoxic, safe, and low-cost. This will happen over the next 10 years, and there will be winners and losers.鈥�

Matt Urmanski is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Essity鈥檚 Professional Hygiene division in North America. He stresses the importance of sustainability in our industry today and its continued role in the years to come 鈥渦ntil at some point it is integrated fully into our way of living in all geographies of the world. The continued work to reduce emissions, limit waste, and preserve the health of our environments will grow and expand as it becomes the standard. Single-use products will continue to be replaced by reusables wherever possible. New environmentally friendly raw materials will be used. New energy sources with lower CO2 emissions will be adopted.鈥� At Essity, Urmanski notes the company sees biodiversity as vital for environmental health, human health, and well-being. 鈥淥ur business impacts biodiversity in all parts of the value chain, especially through our activities related to procuring raw materials, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste leakage. We see the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as a key issue for today and the future.鈥�

Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Some see challenges in the future with the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).听Sharon Cowan, CBSE, with Cleaning Business Consulting Group (CBCG), says, 鈥淚t depends on government regulations. We will most likely move from hiring the most qualified to hiring who fits into what box.鈥� Her concern is echoed by others, that who someone is might mean more than what someone is qualified to do.

Bob Bock, the national sales manager for aftermarket and e-commerce with ASI鈥擜merican Specialties Inc., hopes that any future initiatives involving DEI are determined by the most qualified and gifted prospects. 鈥淚t will encourage our brightest minds to get involved in today鈥檚 big issues. It should not matter your background but what value you can bring! As we include people from all walks of life in our industry, opportunities will become available to everyone.鈥� He also feels that the future of DEI should be determined by the most qualified and gifted professionals doing the jobs. 鈥淚t will encourage our brightest minds to get involved in today鈥檚 big issues. It should not matter your background but what value you can bring! As we include people from all walks of life in our industry, opportunities will become available to everyone.鈥�

Although some efforts now with DEI can appear stalled, recognizing that and pushing forward is important.听Michael Mahdesian, chairman of the board of Servicon Systems Inc., says, 鈥淚t will grow, even though there is a modest backlash in some quarters as of now. It will become a key factor in awarding bids and developing client partnerships.鈥�

David Drake, president of Spartan do Brasil Produtos Quimicos Ltda in Sao Paulo, Brazil, likes the future of DEI. 鈥淭his is obvious! These initiatives have nowhere to go but up. We are either proactive about it now or let the next generation begin the process. If we want to attract the best and the brightest to our industry, our generation cannot wait and must incorporate these initiatives now.鈥�

For some, DEI may provide some attractive elements, according to听Jose Rodriguez, a strategic account manager with Tennant Company. 鈥淚 think we鈥檒l continue advancing towards a more equitable future. All companies and governments will be more a reflection of their population,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 would say to a young person, get ready to be surprised. It is a larger, more interesting, and rewarding industry than they think. I would suggest they look to understand business at a high level, but never forget that the customer is what鈥檚 most important.鈥�

And it will be a united industry that makes all this happen.听Campbell Dodson, with CFS Technologies, says, 鈥淒EI initiatives have gained significant momentum in recent years and are likely to continue evolving. We should not only expect to see a greater emphasis on DEI initiatives across various industries but also step up as an industry to champion these efforts.鈥� He sees the future of DEI initiatives likely shaped by ongoing efforts to create more equitable and inclusive organizations. 鈥淎dvancements in technology may play a role in driving progress, with the potential for AI-driven tools to help identify and address bias in hiring and promotion processes being a currently debated topic. While it is challenging to predict the exact trajectory of DEI initiatives, it is clear that there is a growing commitment to its success from leading companies and industries.鈥�

Timothy Allen, with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority of Ohio, values what is happening in the industry regarding DEI. 鈥淚鈥檓 thinking overall, the future of DEI initiatives will be characterized by a deeper commitment to creating inclusive environments, valuing diversity, and ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute. This will not only be seen as a moral imperative, but also as a strategic advantage in a diverse and rapidly changing global marketplace.鈥�

The trajectory of DEI initiatives in the future will depend on various factors, believes听Ateny Ajak, with Stay Clean LLC, 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to note that the future of DEI initiatives is not predetermined and will depend on the actions and commitments of individuals, organizations, governments, and society as a whole. The trajectory may vary across regions and industries, but the overall trend will likely be towards greater recognition and prioritization of diversity, equity, and inclusion.鈥�

Future challenges

While no one can see into the future, we can identify future challenges based on what is happening right now鈥攚hat we see and experience. Added to that, history has been a form of litmus test for many industry professionals.

While the future remains an enigma, our past and present hold clues to help us identify what to prepare for next. With that in mind, the following are additional thoughts of some who responded to the invitation to contribute to this feature article.

Benjamin Burrows, industry author: In the next 100 years, I see most of our common areas cleaned via automation, but managing this will still require the human touch. It will require human involvement, training, management, and inspection. Humans are the only species on the planet concerned about 鈥渃leaning for health,鈥� so removing the human from the process will 鈥� destroy the process.

Matt Vonachen, CEO at Vonachen Group:听The market will continue to grow automation, driving efficiency. There will always be a large demand for workers; what they do and how they do it will change as technology develops.

Kenneth Bell, University of Maryland:听I think some of the biggest challenges we will face are those who are stuck in a certain mindset they have had for years and not being open to the progression in the cleaning industry that can make things better by cleaning for health.

Mathew Mahoney, custodial supervisor for Johnson County Government in Kansas:听If the past three years have taught every business anything, it is that customers now look at the facilities they enter with cleaning in the back of their minds. So, hiring staff, funding, and developing a cleaning program will challenge every business.

Kyra de St. Paer, senior director of marketing with CloroxPro:听When confronted with a global pandemic, the cleaning industry was on the front line, quickly adapting to address cleaning and disinfecting needs to help protect public health. We are still coping with the lasting impacts of this responsibility. Longer hours and less time to train new staff have led to higher rates of worker burnout, perpetuating a cycle of high employee turnover that we will continue to see if action is not taken. To overcome these challenges, we must focus on cleaning professionals first and develop new products and training solutions to support them better and increase retention.

John Howell, business development manager with Novozymes North America:听The biggest challenge for companies will be a labor shortage as many younger workers chase different opportunities. Companies will need to pivot towards more automated cleaning systems. This will create an opportunity to reinvent the future of cleaning using more sustainable bio-based cleaning agents in conjunction with automated systems.

Jeffrey Carey, vice president at HI&I Americas for Brenntag Specialties:听The cleaning industry must redefine itself as a critical industry for human health. We must become even more innovative in our products and services and be seen as societal partners. Without this redefinition, the industry will continue to struggle with profitability and growth. Ultimately, consumers must understand and desire the benefits of hygiene in their daily lives. Successful redefinition of the industry and innovation in our products and services can truly not only make our industry live for another 100 years, but make it thrive.

Pat Schottler, vice president of marketing at Tennant Company:听Automation is not simply a technology disruption; it鈥檚 a huge opportunity to change the entire cleaning ecosystem. By automating some of the more routine, mundane tasks like floor cleaning, organizations can upskill their labor and make it a more appealing career. A large portion of cleaning is still manual. However, through further mechanization of cleaning technologies, there鈥檚 an opportunity to improve the lives of cleaners, enhance the quality of clean, and do more within the same or lower budget.

Daniel Hiza, vice president of marketing with Pritchard Industries:听Challenges include adapting to rapidly changing technologies, combating misinformation about cleaning products, and managing the environmental footprint. Opportunities lie in embracing sustainable technologies, expanding into emerging markets, and harnessing the power of data analytics.

Next steps

With all these thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and predictions from a wide swath representing the cleaning industry, what鈥檚 next? Do your part. Analyze your own role and honestly ask yourself what you can do to better the industry. Each of us is a small cog in a big machine, but at the same time, we have a say and impact on those around us.

Our individual choices, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, have a ripple effect. Let鈥檚 harness our collective power and strive for a cleaner world as we all work to advance clean and drive innovation.

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91视频 Executive Director John Barrett opened the session, thanking everyone present for their dedication and hard work. 鈥淵ou are doing something that truly matters in the world,鈥� he said.

Barrett presented a slideshow of 91视频鈥檚 history, showcasing its founder Alfred Richter, who began the association in 1923 with seven distributor companies. He shared a black and white picture of 91视频鈥檚 1949 convention, joking, 鈥淚t kind of looks like the Rat Pack,鈥� as a contrast to the current association, which is much larger with a diverse group of members. 鈥淥ur members are literally the reason we exist,鈥� Barrett said.

Senior Vice Presidents Jon Adkins and Kim Althoff took the stage next to announce honorees, including three custodians from U.S. K鈥�12 schools. The custodians鈥擱ichard Toomey, Rodney Essner, and David Jeffers鈥攚ere named the grand prize winner (Toomey) and finalists of the 2023 Cintas Custodian of the Year Contest.

After the keynote session, show attendees eagerly flocked to the opening of the show floor, where they explored exhibits of the latest cleaning products and equipment and attended education sessions. At one session, sponsored by 91视频鈥檚 Hygieia Network, panelists explored how听听can help their female colleagues succeed in the cleaning industry.

The panelists told the audience they have a responsibility to report any discrimination or sexual harassment that could be holding colleagues back. 鈥淎s the Harvey Weinsteins of the world were doing what they were doing, a lot of people were standing by,鈥� said Max Langenkamp, Cintas senior vice president of Human Resources and chief diversity officer. 鈥淲hen you see this happening, you have to confront it, you have to intervene.鈥�

When asked about their wish list of resources for women in the industry, panelist Shannon Hall, Dustbane Products vice president of sales and marketing, spoke about the importance of mentoring, and panelist Brock Tully, segment vice president for Cleaning and Hygiene at Bunzl Canada, spoke about the courage to speak up against discrimination and harassment. Langenkamp said workers at the middle management could use more resources, as they often don鈥檛 receive as much assistance as workers in lower and higher levels.

In addition to this and other education sessions and networking opportunities on the show floor, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center also housed a lively competition Monday night. Housekeepers at several Las Vegas resorts participated in the 33rd Annual IEHA Housekeeping Olympics at the Michelob Ultra Arena.

Cheering crowds shook noisemakers, shouted into megaphones, and blew horns as their colleagues participated in three relay races that included making hotel beds, mopping floors, and vacuuming carpets strewn with colorful debris. 鈥淲e鈥檙e the cheerleaders, the spirit group, we give off good energy,鈥� said Michael Vargas as he cheered on his co-workers at the Luxor Hotel and Casino.

Other participants included housekeepers at the Bellagio, the Cosmopolitan, Mandalay Bay, and Park MGM.

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Embracing its theme, Rethinking What Clean Means, the annual tradeshow is designed to deliver impactful solutions to the global cleaning industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to keep up with industry trends, learn more about the latest technologies, and connect with thought leaders from around the world.

This year鈥檚 show features more than 600 manufacturers and service providers, as well as more than 90 educational sessions, across three pavilions.

Education is the focus of today鈥檚 offerings, with 36 sessions taking place throughout the day. Topic tracks include healthcare; hospitality; facility operations; residential cleaning; technology and innovation; thought leadership, business development and marketing solutions; leadership, career, and talent development; and environmental, social responsibility, and governance (ESG). New this year is the Spanish language track, with three sessions being presented in Spanish on Tuesday and another three on Wednesday.

Certification workshops, including 91视频 Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) and Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA) certifications, are also taking place today.听听for specific times and locations for all of today鈥檚 sessions.

At 4:00 p.m. PT today, you have your choice of attending the Residential Roundtables or the Cocktails and Conversations Think Tank events. And between 5:00 and 10:00 p.m., you鈥檒l want to be on hand for IEHA鈥檚听.

During the week, be sure to also make time for the show鈥檚 two Spotlight events. On Tuesday at 9:15 a.m., take a look back at how far the industry and the association has come by attending Then, Now, Forever: Celebrating 100 Years of 91视频. Then, on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., hear from Doc Hendley, founder and current president of听, a nonprofit aid organization focused on providing clean water to people around the world.

To make sure you don鈥檛 miss a thing while at the show, be sure to check out the online听听and create an account. By doing so, you鈥檒l be able to view all the available offerings, decide what you鈥檒l see and do, and plan your time at the show.

Be sure to also follow听听throughout the week to read more about 91视频 Show North America 2023 and its highlights.

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First released in 1963, this invaluable resource has been updated as a collaborative effort by 91视频 members. Its practical real-world information, submitted by both manufacturers and end users, can make a positive impact on your business.

To check out the exciting unveiling of the newly printed issues of 91视频 Cleaning Times by Brant Insero, 91视频 Chief Global Education Officer, watch the video below. And if you鈥檙e not attending 91视频 Show North America, be sure to order your copy听.

The post Purchase the 100th Anniversary Limited Edition of Cleaning Times at 91视频 Show North America 2023 appeared first on Cleanfax.

At this year鈥檚 show, you鈥檒l find unique networking opportunities, 90 free educational sessions, and more than 600 manufacturers and service providers, along with some special events that you won鈥檛 want to miss! Here are some of those sessions:

Spotlight Session: Then, Now, Forever | Celebrating 100 Years of 91视频鈥擪ick off this year鈥檚 show in a fun, engaging session hosted by 91视频 leadership. This complimentary session on Tuesday morning will relive monumental moments over the past 100 years of 91视频 and recognize a host of impactful individuals who have made their mark in the cleaning industry.

Doc Hendley Spotlight Session鈥擫earn how Doc Hendley has successfully cultivated a nonprofit organization that provides clean water for people in need worldwide. The first 100 guests of this session will receive a complimentary copy of his book, Wine to Water; A Bartender鈥檚 Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World, and have the book signed by the author immediately following his talk.

91视频 Hygieia Network Annual Awards Reception鈥擳his event is included with all Show Passes on Wednesday evening. Named after the Greek goddess of cleaning and hygiene, the 91视频 Hygieia Network is a signature 91视频 Charity dedicated to advancing and retaining women in the cleaning industry. The reception will feature networking with industry leaders and Hygieia鈥檚 annual recognition awards.

Happy Hour on the Expo Floor鈥擡veryone is invited to join the celebration from 3:00鈥�5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Don鈥檛 wait!听听before prices increase November 12.

The post Don鈥檛 Miss Out! 91视频 Show North America 2023 Starts on Monday appeared first on Cleanfax.

It was a group of seven distributors who started it all in 1923, and from there, 91视频 has grown into a global industry association with more than 10,500 member organizations.

Moving equipment, tools, products, and more from manufacturers to end users falls under the distribution and supply chain umbrella. When the supply chain has a weak or broken link, everyone is affected. Systems fail. Cleaning effectiveness suffers. The role of the distribution professional is critical to the ongoing success of the global cleaning industry.

For this article, 91视频 reached out to several distribution companies, especially those involved in buying groups, to discuss the 91视频/supply chain relationship and what it takes to succeed in an evolving distribution landscape and increasingly competitive environment.

The value of partnerships

Linda Silverman is the executive chairwoman of听., a California-based distribution company, and serves on the board of directors for听^庐. She also served as president of 91视频 in 2000-2001 and is a founding member and immediate past co-chair of the听, an 91视频 Charities signature program dedicated to the advancement and retention of women in the cleaning industry For decades, Silverman has valued the relationship between her company and 91视频.

鈥淔or over 40 years, 91视频 has been the professional association Maintex relies on to keep our business updated and informed about ongoing challenges, regulatory updates, and emerging trends in the industry,鈥� she says. With the Maintex team attending 91视频 Show North America each year, she values the information from keynote speakers, connecting with innovative suppliers, networking with industry partners, and participating in seminars and educational activities. 鈥淎dditionally, we value the informative articles in 91视频 Today magazine as well as listening to the听! podcasts for different perspectives and industry updates.鈥�

Network is a global distribution organization that has long supported 91视频. In 2018, during Network鈥檚 50th anniversary year, the company captured, on video, interviews with industry professionals engaged with the Network organization over the years. A common theme ran through those conversations, and innumerable references to a single quote seems to ring true for both Network and 91视频. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the people, the people, the people,鈥� according to Monica Saviano, the director of marketing and sales operations with Network. 鈥�As you look across the names of companies and individuals who helped shape 91视频 and Network, the list is deeply intertwined,鈥� Saviano adds. 鈥�91视频 was built by distributors. Network,听too, was built by distributors. 91视频 was built on the principle of exchanging ideas to benefit all. The foundation of Network is similarly rooted. With this congruency, Network leans into all that 91视频 offers to the industry to strengthen our path forward.鈥�

Kevin Chow is the president and CEO of Triple S, a nationwide network of sanitary supply distributors with over 175 locations throughout the U.S. and more than 120 distributor members. He says that his company has long recognized 91视频鈥檚 unique role as the primary representative of the entire cleaning industry. 鈥淥ur more than 120 distributor members fully support the association鈥檚 鈥樷�� message and efforts to promote cleaning as a crucial component of facility operations,鈥� Chow says. 鈥淲e firmly believe that the best way to spread the message is to work together closely to maximize the reach and understanding of cleaning.鈥�

^庐听(TUG) is a nationwide sales, marketing, and group purchasing organization (GPO). Mark Prosser is the vice president of sales and strategic accounts. He believes his company鈥檚 partnership with 91视频 is critical to sustaining and growing TUG鈥檚 business. 鈥淒ata on our industry that 91视频 provides helps us to build our programs and strategies to ensure the success of our membership,鈥� Prosser says. 鈥淎s a buying group, our relationships extend to both the manufacturer and distributor communities. Involvement in 91视频 affords us the opportunity to foster stronger and deeper relationships with both communities.鈥�

91视频鈥檚 distributor members also value initiative, which benefits all involved. 鈥淥ur partnership with 91视频 is one that is mutually committed to learning and growing within the cleaning industry,鈥� states Shannon Hunter, the director of marketing communications with听., a manufacturer and distributor of cleaning products available through a national network of distributors. 鈥淲e appreciate and support the initiatives that 91视频 creates as well as their efforts towards industry standards and regulatory services that affect us all.鈥�

听is a network of distributors and another dedicated supporter of 91视频. 鈥�91视频 is the foundation of our industry,鈥� according to CEO and President Dennis Riffer. 鈥淚t is the center, the educational hub of the industry. 91视频 represents us in legal, government affairs, health, and hygiene 鈥� and during the pandemic, with COVID-19-related matters as well. Because of 91视频, everyone knows that our industry really does clean for health.鈥�

听has been an 91视频 member company for decades and sees the 91视频/DPA relationship as a way to stay connected to the industry. 鈥淲e look forward to exhibiting at 91视频 Show North America every year, and 91视频 also attends DPA鈥檚 annual buying and networking conference,鈥� according to CEO Zachary Haines. 鈥淲e work together for mutual goals and growth opportunities. Together, we are stronger.鈥�

Impacting success

According to Chow, 91视频 provided the platform for the Triple S 鈥淧ower of Clean鈥� initiative. 鈥淕oing back to the association鈥檚 original creation of the听^庐听tools and resources, Triple S has been at the forefront of delivering the message to the widest audience possible.鈥� This has helped member companies of Triple S demonstrate that cleaning is appropriately treated as an investment鈥攁nd not a cost to be minimized鈥攊n an effort to convince customers not to cut their cleaning budgets.

Silverman sees the impact of 91视频 as both professional and personal. 鈥�91视频 has a major impact on our company鈥檚 success, as well as my own personal development,鈥� she explains. 鈥淥ur industry is quite different today than when I became involved in 1978. Through 91视频鈥檚 foresight, our industry today includes building service contractors, in-house service providers, and residential cleaning companies.鈥� What she values is these are all businesses that Maintex now better understands and can successfully service through their membership in 91视频. In addition, Silverman adds: 鈥淔rom a personal perspective, my active involvement with 91视频 has exposed me to new ideas, opportunities, and friendships that span the globe.鈥�

For Network, the company sees 91视频 as providing invaluable touch points throughout the industry. 鈥淎s听the听information source for all aspects of operating in the cleaning industry, 91视频 offers our teams the ability to stay on top of relevant research, training, and government issues,鈥� states Saviano. 鈥淭his information is important as Network continues to create strategy for long-term success in the industry. Network has been particularly enabled by several of 91视频鈥檚 efforts.鈥� She points to specific 91视频 programs, products, and educational opportunities offered by听, the听听and听听and all it offers to those who attend.

Prosser sees the 91视频 and TUG relationship impacting education to those companies that TUG serves. 鈥淚n our case, I think the real measure is how 91视频 has impacted the success of our membership,鈥� he explains. 鈥淧rograms like the development of听听help local distribution explain clearly and succinctly how to properly maintain facilities across all business types. Programs like the听^庐听(CIMS) and GBAC drive proper training and cleaning practices to our facility solution professionals.鈥� He feels the content development and financial challenges for an individual company to build programs make it a nearly impossible task. 鈥淭hat 91视频 constructs them for industry-wide use is critical.鈥�

For DPA, part of the equation is networking. 鈥�91视频 Show North America is a great opportunity for DPA distributors and group leadership to check in with our partner suppliers,鈥� according to Haines. 鈥淚t allows us the opportunity to receive updates, meet new corporate executives, learn about new products, and for us to share what鈥檚 new with our organization. You will always find a new company or product or learn something new at the 91视频 Show. 听As a result of our partnership, we鈥檝e secured new supplier contracts and have welcomed many new distributors to our organization.鈥�

Jeff Tishko, the president of DPA and听听in Pittsburgh, added: 鈥淚t is a place where DPA can find new members to join our group. Also, DPA and 91视频 exhibit at each other鈥檚 shows, which has been mutually rewarding.鈥�

For Pro-Link, 91视频 has helped the company make and maintain important relationships in the industry. 鈥淚t has allowed us to offer a great deal of value to those we have met and, in turn, learn from others,鈥� says Hunter. 鈥淲e are proud members of 91视频 as it helps us stay on top of emerging trends in the industry and allows us to continuously be an active advocate for our partners.鈥�

Standing out

91视频-member organizations are the cream of the crop, the best-of-the-best in the global cleaning industry. And a critical focus and strategy for 91视频 is to ensure everyone knows it. With the power of 91视频 and all it offers empowering member organizations; they all can better compete in an ever-changing and challenging marketplace and continue to grow and succeed.

For this article, 91视频 asked those contributing to share what they are proud of as individual organizations. What makes them stand out as different, as examples of success?

While the primary focus of this article is on distributor organizations that many see as in the 鈥渂uying group鈥� business model, not all see themselves described that way. 鈥淭riple S is not a traditional buying group. In fact, we bristle whenever we are described as such,鈥� explains Chow. 鈥淩ather, we are proud to serve as a national distribution network, providing our members with a comprehensive slate of support, tools, and resources. Of course, this includes negotiated group pricing for best-in-class products from the top industry suppliers, but it also includes direct support of customers in key markets, networking and sharing of best practice opportunities, professional development and education opportunities, corporate/national account partnerships, and marketing assistance. Many organizations talk about support鈥� we are proud to say that we deliver.鈥�

Network also sees itself as outside the traditional 鈥渂uying group鈥� type of organization. 鈥淣etwork is often referred to as a 鈥榖uying group,鈥� and while there is an element of significant purchasing advantage our distributor members garner as members of Network, the organization is better described in terms of the powerful sales capabilities we鈥檝e developed since the very inception of the group,鈥� according to Saviano.

Network services more than US$2 billion in corporate account sales through more than 700 locations in North America and 1,100 worldwide. 鈥淪ince 1968, we鈥檝e evolved into a unique distribution organization enabled by two key differentiators,鈥� she explains. 鈥淔irst, our executive-level sales professionals have deep experience and decades-long relationships in our focus segments. For the customer, this firsthand market knowledge and segment-specific acumen provides significant support to customers as they solve strategic supply issues. Secondly, the service and support our distributor members deliver at the local level is second to none.鈥� Network is proud of how it delivers the efficiency of a centrally managed national structure combined with its 鈥渘ot so secret, secret sauce鈥� of true local market service and support. 鈥淭his distinctive combination has powered growth that continues to outpace the industry,鈥� Saviano adds.

Haines is proud of how diverse DPA has become. 鈥淚n addition to janitorial and sanitary supplies, DPA is also heavily invested and diversified within the safety and industrial market segments,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e offer traditional jansan distributors the ability to procure new products and to pick up business they might have thought was otherwise impossible.鈥� Simple product diversification has been an important differentiator for DPA members and their end-user customers. This was especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was looking for safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers. 鈥淒PA had numerous programs in place to help our distributors when it mattered most,鈥� Haines adds.

In addition, DPA is always looking for ways to help the independent distributor and to grow the business of its preferred suppliers. 鈥淥ne of the major benefits for distributors like me is the group enables me to establish personal relationships with the executive level contacts of each DPA supplier,鈥� explains Tishko. 鈥淚f you have an opportunity or a problem, you know who you can call, and you know you will receive the maximum support.鈥�

Pro-Link has more than 1,200 unique items in the brand, and as Hunter notes, the brand is sold by a national network of distributors to school divisions and commercial establishments. 鈥淲e provide the supplies and tools to keep our hospitals, schools, and other facilities safe, clean, and operational,鈥� she states, 鈥淥ur direct sales representatives conduct facility tours to ensure they are being maintained in the safest and most cost-effective way. Their expertise, along with Pro-Link products, drive down labor and cost of supplies while maintaining a very high standard of cleanliness. We also partner with leading national suppliers in areas we are not experts in to bring a single supply source to our customers鈥� end users.鈥�

Creating memories

To conclude, 91视频 asked those contributing to share some of their favorite memories or experiences they have built with 91视频 and from attending 91视频 Show North America.

Pro-Link
Our favorite memory is simply the excitement of the first day of the show. The energy of everyone there is motivating. Seeing all the booths there are to visit, all the information there is to gather, and all the people there are to meet. It is a great reminder of how special this industry is and what it has to offer to all of us. We really appreciate all of the hard work that goes into the show. 鈥� Hunter.

Maintex
My most vivid memory was being on stage as 91视频 president in Atlanta in 2000 and standing in front of 5,000 people to introduce our keynote speakers, James Carville and Mary Matalin. I was hoping to deliver the speech and appear outwardly much calmer than I felt. 鈥� Silverman.

The United Group
Having attended nearly every 91视频 Show since 1990, I have traditionally looked to the annual 91视频 Show as a means to conduct business with a tremendous number of current and potential business partners, all gathered in one place. We are fortunate that, for the most part, our industry remains relationship oriented. I look forward each year to reconnecting and visiting with old friends and making new ones. On a personal note, my favorite 91视频 Show memory is turning 40 years old at the show in New Orleans. I am afraid I can鈥檛 share a lot of details, though! 鈥� Prosser.

DPA
Every year is kind of like a family reunion. I always enjoy catching up with someone on the show floor whom I haven鈥檛 seen in a while. The parties are also always entertaining and fun. It鈥檚 tough to narrow it down to just one memory. 鈥� Haines.

Triple S
The ability of 91视频 Show North America to bring together all segments of the industry is what helps it stand out and what makes it memorable on an annual basis. It is hard to pinpoint one single memory鈥� it is more the collective experience of seeing old and new friends every year. 鈥� Chow.

Network
One of my personal highlights of being in this business was serving on the 91视频 board of directors and working with some of the best minds in our industry, all culminating at 91视频 Show. It has been an opportunity to 鈥渟erve and give back鈥� to the industry that has given so much to us. Receiving the Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award was a highlight of my career. I am proud to count myself among the likes of Steve Swigart, Meredith Reuben, John Garfinkel, and Linda Silverman. Thank you, 91视频!鈥� 鈥� Alan Tomblin, president and CEO of Network, and past-president of 91视频.

Every time I see a person tied to Network or a Network member recognized for their professional efforts, it becomes a favorite memory. I鈥檝e had the great opportunity to watch several Network folks receive The Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award, including our CEO Alan Tomblin. I am so proud of their dedication to the industry and their affiliation with Network. I鈥檓 also crazy proud of the smaller efforts that create incredible advancement in the industry. The Hygieia Network started small and has become an impactful movement to create equity and inclusion across the board. Attended by women and men from across the industry, the award reception held during the 91视频 Show has raised this imperative to new heights. I鈥檝e loved watching that program and the mindset of the industry mature. 鈥� Saviano.

Visit听听to keep up to date on 91视频鈥檚 100th anniversary and the recognition 91视频 members deserve.

The post 100 Years of Supply and Demand appeared first on Cleanfax.

With 91视频 celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year, I began to look back on the history of the cleaning industry, what has helped it to stay relevant and grow over time, and what separates it from other industries as well.

At the crux of this reminiscing, I found myself returning time and time again to the simple fact that 鈥榟umanity鈥� and 鈥榗ompassion鈥� are the integral parts that make the cleaning industry a beautiful and fine-tuned machine.

And, when looking at this intricate and enduring machine in action, it never hurts to take a closer look at the perfectly aligned cogs that make the community grow and connect seamlessly each and every day. Every pillar of the community, thought leader, and industry expert is part of the grand machine that is the cleaning industry but, when you truly stop to see the roles they play, you simply can鈥檛 help but feel amazed and proud to be a part of the legacy that is cleaning in America.

A humanitarian through and through

Mason Tomaino, a prominent figure in the cleaning industry, is more than just a businessman. He is a humanitarian, family man, and compassionate leader in the industry who is driven by his desire to make a positive impact on the world around him. Through his work in the industry and his involvement in various charitable causes, he has proven that success and compassion can go hand in hand.

As such, this humble man seemed like the perfect choice for the second chapter in our 鈥楬uman Touch鈥� series at Cleanfax. After winning the Ralph Bloss Humanitarian Award at The Experience in Las Vegas last year, I knew his story was one that deserved to be covered not just for his leadership in the industry but also for his charitable efforts across the nation.

A cleaning industry legacy that transcends Mason Tomaino himself

Tomaino鈥檚 journey in the cleaning industry began with his family, who taught him the importance of work ethics and integrity. 鈥淭he one who is the most sincere, reliable, and consistent and works the hardest, chasing customer satisfaction over money, will be a success in the long run,鈥� he says. With this guiding principle, he started his own cleaning and restoration business, and over the years, has become a leading figure in the industry.

As his daughter, Becky Tomaino, explained, 鈥淗e has helped many individuals in the industry and would volunteer to door-knock with them and walk them through how to start their businesses. He has a tendency to not be able to say no when someone is in need. In fac,t I don鈥檛 think he ever has said 鈥榥o鈥�. Which led him to create Mason鈥檚 network. He always gave out his personal cell and when it became too hard to answer every call he needed a way for everyone to get their questions answered as quickly as possible. Of course, he would prefer to give one-on-one guidance, but he is only one guy and this is how the network began as a way to get not only the questions he had the answers for answered but to directly link professionals to other professions as well.鈥�

Helping those in need through it all

It鈥檚 not just his business success that sets Mason Tomaino apart, however. He has also been involved in numerous charitable causes, particularly those focused on cancer research and support for families dealing with the disease. Losing his mother-in-law to cancer in 2000 and other friends and family to the disease, Tomaino felt a deep desire to help those affected by cancer. He organized benefits and fundraisers to support leukemia research and raised over $25,000 with a beard-shaving event at The Experience in 2016.

Tomaino credits his mother-in-law, Mary Ann Walsh, with inspiring him to give back and do for others more than himself. Mary Ann was known for her love of life and her compassion for others, even in the face of her own illness. Tomaino continues to uphold her values of joy, humor, and compassion, and he sees his customers as family. 鈥淓very time I sell to them, it is very important that I help them succeed,鈥� he says. 鈥淭o me, they are all family.鈥�

Tomaino鈥檚 dedication to giving back extends beyond cancer research to other causes, including Toys for Tots, Make-A-Wish, and Gyba for Blue Santa, an annual toy drive. He has also volunteered with the Rotary Club to help build low-income housing for seniors, and he coaches youth sports and helps maintain the fields with his own manual labor.

His daughter also shared, 鈥淲hen he ran a limo company, he would volunteer his services for many charity events such as Toys for Tots and Make-A-Wish. When the local church youth group busses broke down and couldn鈥檛 take the kids to camp, he rallied up all the limos in his fleet to take them to camp and of course, the kids arrived on time. He has been and still is volunteering as a Board member of the Georgetown youth sports association where he serves as a director of umpires and ensures the fields are in perfect shape all on his own.鈥�

Building a community and connecting with family

For Tomaino, volunteer work is not just about giving back, but also about building a sense of community and setting a positive example for the youth. 鈥淵ou can network with and meet your neighbors鈥攁nd the kids need and appreciate having well-kept facilities,鈥� he says. 鈥淭his sets a good example for the youth.鈥�

Through his work in the cleaning industry and his involvement in charitable causes, Mason Tomaino has become a role model for others in the industry and beyond. His dedication to hard work, integrity, and compassion is an inspiration to all who know him. 鈥淚f you love what you do, it is not work,鈥� he says. And for Tomaino, that love is not just for his business, but also for the people and causes he supports. At the end of the day, to Tomaino, it all comes down to family, 鈥淓verything I do, I do for them. I thank God every day for the family [my wife] Sheila and I have created.鈥�

The post Bases, Benevolence, and Business: The 鈥楾riple Play鈥� appeared first on Cleanfax.

Editor’s note: This article was initially published on 91视频 on March 13, 2023. You can find the original piece .听

Once upon a time in 1997, 91视频 was under the leadership of Jerry Rau. As president of 91视频, Rau wanted 91视频 to open the 91视频 Show North America to end users. But amending 91视频鈥檚 articles of incorporation required board and membership approval.

The board of directors, at that time, was composed of 15 voting members鈥攕even distributors, seven manufacturers, and one manufacturer representative. For the most part, distributors opposed opening the show to others because of fear that manufacturers, including private label manufacturers, would sell directly to their clients, eliminating the need for distributors. On the other hand, many manufacturers were unhappy with the distributors鈥� lack of interest in showcasing their new products. Hence, this was a bit of a conundrum for the association.

This article is part of a series celebrating 91视频鈥檚 100th anniversary. For more, visit听.

At Rau鈥檚 first executive meeting with all of the 91视频 officers, he asked the group for approval to update the association鈥檚 strategic plan with the help of a professor from American University who had assisted with previous association strategic plans.

At the time, I was serving as 91视频 vice president. While I was aware of the professor鈥檚 previous work on the strategic plan, I found it unfavorable, particularly considering Rau鈥檚 interest in opening the show to others. I felt that a large majority of the board needed to favor such a move if it hoped to obtain membership approval.

I recommended that the association hire accounting and professional consulting firm Arthur Anderson to lead the board as an independent resource and to seek outside pertinent data for the board鈥檚 consideration as part of the strategic planning process. After a good deal of discussion, the executive committee asked John Garfinkel, our then executive director, to reach out to Arthur Anderson for a proposal.

Garfinkel met with representatives from Arthur Anderson and, after several exchanges, came to the entire board at its next meeting with a plan that entailed numerous discussions, in-person and via phone, and an outline of comparative association research the project would require. The initial price tag was US$125,000, not including association expenses for additional board meetings. The board approved Arthur Anderson鈥檚 proposal with an 11-4 vote.

The consulting firm assigned one of its partners, Jim Broering, and an associate, John Delaney, to work for 91视频. The first assignment was a review of 91视频鈥檚 financials. It was clear from that review that 91视频鈥檚 trade show, funded primarily by manufacturers鈥� exhibit fees, was the association鈥檚 principal source of funding, composing about two-thirds of its revenue. Furthermore, any exodus of large manufacturers to the other for-profit trade shows could result in the loss of our association as we know it. The comparative trade show analysis prepared by Arthur Anderson was clear on the potential for loss. The for-profit trade show managers were effectively taking over the trade shows of other associations by opening them to larger audiences.

1997 91视频 Board (From L) John Garfinkel, Ted Alm, Doug Popp, Fred Guaraldo, Bob Sinclair, Grant Watkinson, Randy Brame, Jerry Rau, Bob Stahurski, Tom Lane, Stan Reichel, Karen Key, Joe Putyrae, Roger Parrott, Steve Schroder, Mattie Chinks

With that background, the discussion moved to risk assessment. Many questions arose, such as: How would we transition any change in membership? How would the board structure change, if at all?

Ultimately, the 91视频 board approved opening the show to building service contractors (BSCs) and facility managers. Most significantly, the board vote was unanimous and association members approved opening the show by a substantial majority. Questions of board membership and leadership were left for future boards to determine.

The first so-called 鈥渙pen show鈥� was held in 1999 so staff could meet with other organizations and members about the change and to allow sufficient time for members to develop any modifications to their show planning, including invitations to their customers to attend the show with them.

Those on the board when it voted to open the 91视频 trade show to end users were:

• Jerry Rau, president 鈥� Minuteman International Inc. (M), Chicago
• Grant Watkinson, vice president 鈥� Coastwide Laboratories (D), Portland, Oregon
• Tom Lane, international director 鈥� National Sanitary Supply (D), Los Angeles
• Steve Schroeder, treasurer 鈥� SC Johnson (M), Racine, Wisconsin
• Roger Parrott, secretary 鈥� RoVic Inc. (D), Manchester, Connecticut
• Ted Alm, director 鈥� Flo-Pac (M), Los Angeles
• Randy Brame, director 鈥� Brame Specialty (D), Raleigh- Durham, North Carlina
• Mattie Chinks, director 鈥� Avmor Ltd. (M), Montreal
• Alfred Guaraldo, director 鈥� Georgia Pacific (M), Atlanta
• Karen Key, director 鈥� Basic Supply (D), Houston
• Douglas Popp, director 鈥� Roger Popp Inc. (D), Indianapolis
• Joe Putyrae, director 鈥� Putyrae & Associates (MR) San Francisco
• Stanley Reichel, director 鈥� Banner Chemical (M) New Jersey/New York
• Robert Sinclair, director 鈥� General Supply (D) Yakima, Washington
• Bob Stahurski, director 鈥� NYCO Products Co. (M) Chicago.

One interesting takeaway: Brame came into the open show discussion and throughout the process as a 鈥渘o鈥� vote. When asked why he voted 鈥測es鈥� in the end, he replied, 鈥淢y father taught me, during discussions on major decisions in our family business, to always be the devil鈥檚 advocate until I was convinced of the merits of the argument.鈥� That still sounds like good advice.

Subsequent boards approved opening board membership to BSCs and facility managers. Now, 22 years after opening its membership, our 91视频 president, Matt Vonachen, is a BSC member.

Today, 91视频 and its various divisions, departments, and partners are recognized, worldwide, as the leading voice for cleaning for health.

Share Your Story

91视频 is celebrating our 100th anniversary by highlighting the people, products, and brands who helped us reach this important milestone, and those moving 91视频 and the industry forward into the next 100 years. Share your story or upload historical photos from your company鈥檚 past to be featured in 91视频鈥檚 print publications, on our website, and/or on social media.
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About the Author.

Grant Watkinson is past president of 91视频 (1998).

The post The Tale of the Open Show appeared first on Cleanfax.

Common cleaning practices of the 17th century

During the 17th century, people had limited knowledge about germs and the importance of cleanliness to prevent the spread of diseases. Moreover, cleaning was a luxury reserved for the wealthy, and the majority of people, especially those living in rural areas, didn’t have access to the means or knowledge to clean their surroundings properly.

One of the most common cleaning practices during the 17th century was sweeping. Most households had a broom made from natural materials like straw or reed. These brooms were used to clean the dirt and debris out of the house. However, this practice only removed visible dirt, not the invisible bacteria that caused diseases.

Another common practice was washing clothes, but it was a tedious and time-consuming task. Clothes were washed by hand using soap made from animal fat or plant-based materials like ash and lye. The washing process involved soaking the clothes in water, rubbing them with soap, and rinsing them thoroughly.

Overcoming rudimentary cleaning challenges

The 17th century was plagued with numerous challenges when it came to cleaning. One of the biggest obstacles was the lack of access to clean water. People relied on wells, rivers, and rainwater to meet their daily needs, and these sources of water were often contaminated.

To overcome this challenge, people used a variety of methods to purify water. One of the most popular methods was to boil the water to kill off any harmful bacteria. This method is still used today, and boiling water is an effective way to purify it.

Another challenge people faced was dealing with human waste. In the 17th century, most households did not have indoor plumbing or toilets, and people used chamber pots instead. These pots were emptied into the streets or nearby fields, which led to the spread of diseases.

To handle this problem, people used lime or ash to neutralize the odor and disinfect the waste. They also used a mixture of sand and straw to cover the waste and prevent it from spreading.

Nowadays, these concerns have been mitigated thanks to modern technology, human ingenuity, and civilized society.

As cleaning and restoration professionals, it is fascinating to see how far we’ve come and the future we may hold. With cleaning methods revolutionizing this much thus far, who truly can say what the future of clean holds?

To learn more about The Origins of Clean, check out the and stay tuned for next month where we cover the rise of cleanliness in the 18th century!

The post Cleaning in the 17th Century appeared first on Cleanfax.