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Get Ready to Party…for a Purpose!

Categories: ISSA

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It’s time to celebrate! ISSA Charities, ISSA’s charitable arm, has been reimagined, revitalized, and reinvigorated to do even more good, and the exciting new umbrella organization is kicking off its refreshed identity right here at the ISSA Show in Dallas!

The celebration starts Monday evening with the first annual Party for a Purpose, continues Tuesday evening with the ISSA Hygieia Network Reception and Awards Ceremony, and closes out Wednesday evening, with the ISSA Backlot Bash—a huge outdoor party featuring food, drinks, live entertainment, and more. Add to this the fact that all three of these social events benefit ISSA Charities programs—from funding scholarships and fostering internships to helping cancer patients and elevating women in the cleaning profession. How can you even THINK of missing the fun? Read on for more details. And be sure to look for me at all three not-to-be-missed events!

Party for a Purpose

Hosted at Topgolf Dallas—located at 8787 Park Lane—Party for a Purpose is guaranteed to be THE place to be Monday, October 29, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. For those eager to start their trade show week by having fun while giving back, the Topgolf venue offers something for everyone: Golfers of all skill levels—including those with no golfing experience—can try hitting golf balls into designated targets to score points in this no-pressure environment. Want to get a few pointers from a pro on your swing? Topgolf has you covered. Are you an experienced golfer? Try one of the more difficult game modes. You can even enter a tournament to compete for bragging rights and prizes.

Not a golfer? No problem! Kick back, enjoy a cocktail and some delicious hors d’ oeuvres and mingle with your fellow industry professionals in this casual social environment. All this food, drinks, golf, and camaraderie can be enjoyed for a US$125 donation that benefits the menu of ISSA Charities’ programs.

ISSA Hygieia Network Events

The ISSA Hygieia Network (IHN), one of the signature program under the ISSA Charities umbrella, was formed a few years ago to provide ongoing education, networking, professional development, and personal recognition to women working in, or associated with, the cleaning industry. In keeping with its vision of empowering and advancing women in the industry, IHN is hosting an educational session, led by Neen James, Monday, October 29. This session is designed to help women learn strategies for prioritizing tasks, making deliberate choices, and creating an organization framework for success. Then, on Tuesday, October 30, 5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., IHN is hosting its annual IHN Reception and Awards Ceremony, honoring individuals who have made a difference by elevating women in the industry. During the event, which takes place in the Trinity ballroom at the Omni hotel, the vision for the future of the organization and details about its new mentoring program will also be revealed.

ISSA Backlot Bash

The ISSA Backlot Bash is sure to be the hottest, most rockin’ party in Dallas, Wednesday, October 31! For the bash—and we do mean bash!—the City of Dallas has graciously agreed to close off the street right outside the convention center from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., making it extremely convenient to stop by directly after the show. The all-industry-inclusive bash will feature food, drinks, and live musical entertainment from the Chris Watson Band—a blend of funk, Motown, and soul—and country singer sensation Jack Ingram. Attendees can also expect the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders to crash the party! The ISSA Backlot Bash is included in the All-Access Pass or was available a-la-carte for $99. Forgot to sign up when you registered? You can still get in on the fun by signing up at Registration in Hall F or at the ticket counter in Lobby D where the convention center and Omni hotel connect. And remember, proceeds benefit the worthy causes supported through ISSA Charities.

Cleaning for a Reason

In the past decade, through Cleaning for a Reason, more than 1,200 residential cleaning companies have provided free home cleaning services to more than 30,000 cancer patients at a commercial value exceeding $10 million. Last year, Cleaning for a Reason officially joined the ISSA Charities family and therefore, while it has participated in the show in the past, the charity has an even stronger presence at this year’s show: Information on the organization and its phenomenal work is available in the ISSA Charities Booth, located next to registration. In addition, in Booth 1353 in the ISSA Show’s Residential Pavilion, famed promoter and CEO of Dallas-based Real News PR, Jeff Crilley, is interviewing Cleaning for a Reason participants and show attendees to further promote the work of this amazing ISSA Charities program. In appreciation for the work she has done, at this year’s ISSA General Business Meeting, Tuesday, October 30, 8:45 a.m., Cleaning for a Reason founder Debbie Sardone is being presented with ISSA’s highest honor, the Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award (see page 70).

Building on a Good Past

For more than 25 years, ISSA has provided scholarship support to bright, capable individuals pursuing a formal education degree. During this time, thanks to the support of ISSA member companies, more than 1,000 students have been granted nearly $4 million in scholarships. ISSA is extremely proud of its member companies for their generosity. Additional historic ISSA-lead philanthropic work includes the popular Exhibitor Product Donation program that provides cleaning supplies to area charities in need and is back again this year (see page78).

ISSA Charities’ new vision includes elevating the impact of these programs—and so much more. In the years ahead, ISSA Charities will make its mark on society through its impressive, meaningful, and impactful charitable programs centered on—and directly connected to—the cleaning industry.

ISSA Charities wants to help support more students through both merit-based and needs-based scholarships; its internship program is already helping attract talented young professionals to our industry and our organizations. Through IHN, ISSA Charities seeks by offering additional support to women in the cleaning industry through education, professional development, and networking. Organizations with middle and senior management teams that are gender-balanced consistently enjoy better bottom-line results. This means that IHN is not only working to improve the industry for women at all levels, but also to improve the industry overall.

Building on the success of the Cleaning for a Reason program, ISSA Charities aims to serve more than 500,000 households in the United States alone that are struggling with the ramifications of cancer treatment—one of the most difficult times a person, spouse, or family can experience. At ISSA Charities, past success inspires a hope-filled future, a future ISSA is proud to be spearheading.

A Valuable Mission

ISSA Charities is the charitable arm of ISSA. Its mission—Cleaning as Charity—is to make the world a cleaner, healthier, and better place to live. ISSA Charities’ primary objectives are to identify charitable and social programs that will make the world a cleaner, healthier, better place to live. Sponsoring, funding, and operating those programs will increase the size, scale, scope, and impact these programs have on society, which will consequently advance and elevate the stature of the worldwide cleaning industry. With the success and impact of these charitable and social programs, the charity also plays a critical role in advancing and elevating ISSA’s overall mission to Change the Way the World Views Cleaning.

The ISSA Charities Fundraising Program

You are invited to become a contributing member to The ISSA Charities Annual Fund. The charity welcomes a range of giving levels for both individuals and corporations. The Annual Fund also features Corporate Partnership opportunities that include various levels of co-branded, media-driven, cause-marketing promotional activities. Please stop by the ISSA Charities booth in the lobby next to Registration to learn more about this and our exciting signature charities!

About the Author.

Lisa Veeck is media communications and publications director and ISSA Today editor. Reach her at [email protected].