ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, today announced the opening of membership to the ISSA Hygieia Network. 

The ISSA Hygieia Network is a women’s forum with a mission of advancing and retaining female professionals in all sectors and at all levels of seniority and experience within the global cleaning community. Named after the Greek goddess of cleaning and hygiene, this vibrant worldwide community will provide members with ongoing education, networking opportunities, professional development, and industry recognition—in addition to the strong sense of purpose and self-actualization that comes with being involved in this worthwhile cause. 

“Facilitating ongoing networking and commercial opportunities for our members in the international cleaning industry is at the core of ISSA's mission," says ISSA Executive Director Emeritus John Garfinkel. "The ISSA Hygieia Network—and its work for the advancement of women in our industry—is a natural fit.  We want to encourage companies to look to their workforces to help diversify and develop exemplary leadership.”

ISSA members interested in joining the ISSA Hygieia Network can sign up online at www.issa.com/hygieia free of charge for one year through December 31, 2015.

Education & Training

Since its creation in November 2014, an advisory council of female leaders, chaired by Dr. Ilham Kadri, president of Diversey Care (part of Sealed Air), has been developing the network’s framework for membership and services. 

In addition to leadership development for managers and executives, the education program also will help address front-line worker challenges, such as literacy levels, training for certification, and on-the-job practice.

Council members will reveal more details during The Women’s Forum, October 20, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., during ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America, October 20-23, 2015, in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

“Let us never forget that in the cleaning industry, as in every walk of life, women’s rights are human rights,” says ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “Gender equality and the empowerment of women are essential to our sustainable future.”

ISSA Hygieia Network Awards

The purpose of the ISSA Hygieia Network Awards program is to recognize individuals and companies that have made an outstanding contribution to gender equality and inclusiveness within the global cleaning industry. The awards will be presented annually and are open to everyone. The deadline for 2015 award submissions is October 15, 2015.  Members of The ISSA Hygieia Network Council will jury the nominations, and the winners of the 2015 ISSA Hygieia Network Awards will be announced at the ISSA Hygieia Network Reception, October 20, 5:30 p.m., at the Cosmopolitan, Condessa 5, in Las Vegas.

The awards nomination criteria and submission process can be found at www.issa.com/hygieia.

“I truly believe that recognition of outstanding contribution is the best way to elevate the pride and engagement of professionals in our industry,” says Dr. Ilham Kadri.  “Since joining this industry, I continue to witness amazing commitment and expertise from many individuals that deserves to be given wider visibility and praise.”

For more information about the ISSA Hygieia Network, including how to join, visit www.issa.com/hygieia. Or, if you are attending ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America, October 20-23, in Las Vegas, visit the ISSA Resource Center, Booth 899.

About ISSA/INTERCLEAN

The award-winning ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America is the only trade show where executives come together from all segments of the jansan industry to do business and gather information to better manage distribution companies, building services companies, and facility management departments. ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, and its trade show partner, RAI Amsterdam, produce ISSA/INTERCLEAN shows around the world. ISSA also hosts more than 45 educational seminars and networking opportunities in conjunction with ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America. For more information, visit www.issa.com/show.

About ISSA

With 7,000 distributor, manufacturer, building service contractor, in-house service provider, and associate member firms, ISSA is the leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide.

The association is headquartered in Northbrook, IL, USA, with regional offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Leicester, United Kingdom; Monterrey, Mexico; and Shanghai, China. For more information, visit www.issa.com.