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Chris Shaw
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Do more than walk the aisles
02 May 2014
With over 700 exhibitors present and a comprehensive educational programme on offer at ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam, you could be forgiven for wondering 'how will I ever get to see everything that is worth seeing?' Here to help, Cleaning Matters highlights the seminars and networking opportunities that are not to be missed at the event, which takes place on 6-9 May 2014 in the Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre.
Recognising women in cleaning
Kicking the programme off at 10.30am on Wednesday 7 May is a brand new feature – an Industry Women’s Forum designed to recognise the major contribution that women make to the cleaning industry and share valuable experiences and advice from a panel of executive leaders. The speakers represent a cross-section of markets, including Dr. Ilham Kadri, president of the Diversey Care Division of Sealed Air Corp.; Lydia Work, CEO of American Paper Converting Inc.; Marie-Paule Nowlis, VP guest experience & operations of Sofitel EMOA; and Holly Borrego, cleaning services director North America for ISS Facility Services Inc.
Regulation update
Of likely interest to many is the session being held the same day at 12.00pm which explains the significant implications of the new European Biocidal Products Regulation for the commercial cleaning market including importers and others. Valerie Fotheringham, the chief microbiologist at Evans Vanodine and a member of the European CEN TC216 Committee responsible for disinfectants and antiseptics, is just one of the notable speakers at this session.
From sustainability to savings
The programme of three seminars on Thursday 8 May is equally engaging. The opening session at 10.00am is a panel discussion on "Balancing sustainability goals while maintaining effective hygiene”. This is followed at 11.30am by a session on "Why hygiene is important in the washroom” which draws on recent studies and research to highlight the importance of using the right tissue products in the washroom.
After lunch that day, delegates have the opportunity to learn from Dianna Steinbach, ISSA’s director of outreach, in a seminar entitled: "Changing the conversation from cost to profit". This will focus on how to connect cleaning to valuable return-on-investment data that helps decision makers understand the cleaning programme that they really need and how to budget for it. During her presentation, there is also the chance to learn how to estimate savings in six critical facility management areas that will win the backing of the executive team.
Get networking
Networking opportunities not to be missed include the ISSA Global Meeting of Associations when over 25 national associations and representative groups from across the industry meet at 3.00pm on Wednesday 7 May at the ISSA booth to network and discuss and debate common challenges and opportunities.
In addition there is a Happy Hour party for exhibitors on the Tuesday evening to allow all booth staff to kick back and relax after a hard-working and successful first day of the show. Similarly on the Wednesday evening there is an exclusive Happy Hour for visitors from Eastern Europe, Africa and Turkey.
The Young Cleaning Professionals (YCP) programme will make its debut at the show and present a new concept for young cleaning industry professionals to get involved and jumpstart their careers. Reflecting and reinforcing what a dynamic and forward-looking industry the cleaning sector is in reality, the programme will provide opportunities for members to network and learn from industry leaders at the exhibition, as well as participate in online events throughout the whole year. Members will meet leaders of industry and other prominent industry members to discuss developments and brainstorm about the future. You can apply to join the YCP by signing up to 'Young Cleaning professionals', a subgroup of ISSA/INTERCLEAN on LinkedIn.
YCP members will enjoy special privileges during the show such as an expert guided tour of the exhibition floor to show members, access to the YCP VIP Lounge, and an Exclusive YCP Conference Programme. Membership of the YCP programme is free and to qualify as a Young Cleaning Professional you must be younger than 35, currently work in the cleaning industry and have a Linkedin profile/account.
Finally, the Miniskills competition organised by Hungarian trade association Matisz with the support of ISSA, is well worth catching. In heats over the days of the exhibition, teams from several nations will compete and demonstrate their skills in a number of specialised cleaning tasks. Competitions in previous years have shown impressive levels of skills and that this is always an engrossing and hotly contested event.
For more information about attending ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam visit www.issainterclean.com/amsterdamen
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