2025 ISSA Show North America: Exhibitors & Attendees From 70-Plus Countries Converge In Las Vegas

The 2025 edition of ISSA Show North America took place November 10-13 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, in Las Vegas, NV. The event connected leading cleaning industry suppliers and service providers from 70-plus countries.

Distributors, manufacturers, facility managers, building service contractors and residential cleaners met face-to-face for information sharing, relationship building and product innovation opportunities — all designed to discover new solutions for improving efficiencies, skills and profitability when it comes to proper cleaning and disinfection.

Regulatory compliance, management and sustainability issues were among top-of-mind topics discussed throughout this year’s education programming in Las Vegas. That included both classroom settings and various educational areas on the show floor. The conference educational agenda spanned 10 tracks. Also, more than 600 exhibitors across the show floor displayed and demonstrated thousands of products spanning categories from cleaning agents, floor & carpet care and equipment & accessories to safety & industrial supplies and technology & business solutions.

Changing Of The Guard

One highlight at each ISSA Show North America is the General Business Meeting, which traditionally includes the introduction of new, and recognition of outgoing, members of the ISSA Board of Directors. An update of the past year for the association and cleaning industry, along with a look ahead, are also traditionally presented.
This year’s General Business Meeting involved the changing of the guard at ISSA’s top post. ISSA recently announced its board of directors’ appointment of Kim Althoff as the next ISSA Executive Director, effective at the end of October. Althoff is succeeding John Barrett, who has served in the role since 2015 and will transition to Chairman Emeritus, continuing to advise the association for the next three years.

Althoff, who has 29 years of experience at ISSA, most recently served as Executive Vice President. In that role, she led membership, events, media, sales, international operations, and ISSA Charities. Althoff has also been instrumental in advancing strategic partnerships, overseeing flagship events like ISSA Show North America, and championing member engagement initiatives such as The ISSA Hygieia Network and ISSA Emerging Leaders Program.

“It’s an incredible honor to stand before you today as the new executive director of ISSA,” Althoff said, during the General Business Meeting. “I am humbled, I am excited, and I am deeply grateful for the trust the board of directors has placed in me to lead the next chapter of this association.”

Althoff said she will work hard to build on the strong foundation that has been set by Barrett during his 10 years as ISSA executive director.

“That includes John’s great work in helping the association further advance education, innovation and advocacy to support a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable world,” Althoff said.

She added: “The power of this association lies within its strong community (of people and businesses) and involves a shared purpose and collective strength. Together, we will keep pushing forward and reaching higher while shaping the world and showing how impactful the ISSA family can be.”

Barrett also addressed attendees at this year’s ISSA General Meeting, thanking past and current members of the ISSA board and staff who served during his 10 years as executive director.

“I’m also looking forward to continue working with, and supporting, our next executive director, Kim Althoff, who came to ISSA nearly 30 years ago and is now the first woman to hold the executive director’s title in the 102-year history of our association,” Barrett said.
He added what makes the association and industry so special is its members.

“One of the cool things about this industry is that it’s still a place where an individual can make a big difference. The industry holds such remarkable promise for all types of people,” Barrett said. “Looking ahead, I am very excited to stay connected to this work as ISSA chairman emeritus. That includes seeking new ways to innovate and support the association and industry.”

Sewell Begins Second Year

Due to an unexpected vacancy, Laurie Sewell, President and CEO at Servicon, of Culver City, CA, started her second year as ISSA President during this year’s show.

“I have the honor of being both the outgoing and incoming president of ISSA, so welcome to my sequel,” Sewell said. “I want to take a moment to thank all the people who made this past year so rewarding and successful. I would also like to thank John Barrett for his 10 extraordinary years in leadership while serving as our executive director. John has guided our organization with calm and clarity. His legacy is felt everywhere within ISSA. It’s been an absolute privilege to serve alongside him.

“I also could not be more excited to welcome Kim Althoff as our new executive director. Kim brings intelligence, energy, a deep understanding of our industry and a ton of kindness.”

Sewell also thanked members of the ISSA Board of Directors whose terms have expired and welcomed the board’s newest members. Sewell added that during the past year she has witnessed what makes ISSA so truly special.

“It’s not just about the programs, the certifications, or even the strategy for the future that has already been turned into positive action within ISSA, it’s also the positive momentum being felt throughout the association. That momentum includes a brilliant new executive director, one of the best staffs anywhere and a fantastic board,” Sewell said. “Let’s keep elevating this industry, supporting one another and making ISSA the place where talent, innovation and heart all come together. Thank you for trusting me this past year, and let’s make the sequel even better.”

ISSA Charities Report

Also during the General Business Meeting, ISSA Charites Board Co-Chair Ted Stark highlighted the yearly progress of three signature charitable programs of the association: ISSA Scholars, The Hygieia Network, and Cleaning For A Reason.

He noted ISSA Scholars supports students with scholarships for higher education. Since 1988, it has provided more than $4 million in scholarship funds to 1,500-plus students. In 2025, 51 high school graduates and continuing students collectively received $148,000 in scholarships.

Shown are new ISSA Chairman Emeritus John Barrett and new ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff, during this year’s General Business Meeting. (Photo by Harrell Kerkhoff, Maintenance Sales News)

Also discussed was the ISSA Hygieia Network, which is dedicated to the advancement and retention of women in the global cleaning industry by fostering diversity and inclusion, and involves a variety of education, mentoring, networking and support programs. Stark said The Hygieia Network has grown to more than 8,000 members. Since its founding in 2014, Hygieia has hosted 18 networking and leadership conferences and 27 webinars engaging more than 6,500 participants. It also includes over 2,300 sponsoring companies. In 2025 alone, seven virtual peer-to-peer master class webinars took place through The Hygieia Network, involving over 2,200 registered participants.

The third ISSA Charities signature program that Stark spoke about was Cleaning For A Reason, which provides free home cleaning services for cancer patients.

“Cleaning For A Reason celebrated substantial growth and impact in 2025. By the end of this year, the organization is projected to serve 6,600 cancer patients with the help of 1,400 cleaning partners,” Stark said. “Since its founding in 2006, Cleaning For A Reason has supported over 64,000 cancer patients with cleaning services valued at $24 million. The nonprofit program is supported by 3,500 referral partners in the cancer community and a growing number of new sponsors.”

The 2025 Achievement Awards

Honored as well during this year’s ISSA Show North America was the association’s 2025 Achievement Awards winners. They are:

• ISSA Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award: Charles Wax, former President & CEO, WAXIE Sanitary Supply;
• Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award: Kathleen Albertson, Client Relations Manager, GDI Services, Inc.;
• Manufacturer Representatives’ Distinguished Service Award: John Riches, President, Riches Associates;
• ISSA Rising Star Award in Honor of Jimmy Core: Donnell Hines, Regional Operations Manager, Integrity National Corp.; and,
• ISSA Trainer of the Year Award Honoring Marion Ivey: Bill McGarvey, Director of Training & Sustainability, Imperial Dade.

The ISSA Show North America returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Nov. 16-19, 2026. Visit www.issashow.com.

— Maintenance Sales News Editor Harrell Kerkhoff contributed to this article.