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Circus performers flying overhead, housekeepers testing their skills in Olympic-style competitions and appearances by world-famous comedians do not come to mind when thinking of business as usual, but that is exactly what you'll get from this year's ISSA/Interclean North Amercia 2008 conference: business not as usual. Conference organizers worked hard to bring keynote speakers, entertainment, educational sessions and specialty events to this year's conference that are a bit out of the box.

You can expect many new surprises from this year's conference, including a Green Connection Pavilion, an additional category in their annual Innovation Awards, a performance by the Canadian group Cirque du Soliel and a keynote address by comedian Dr. Bill Cosby.

This year's show will prove to be as informative as it is fun and exciting. ISSA's educational sessions will be packed with information on how to do business in today's shaky economy and provide attendees with plenty of take-home advice and material.

ISSA debuts

In keeping with the business not as usual theme of this year's show, ISSA is introducing a few brand-new experiences to the show floor. One is the Green Connection Pavilion. Anyone in the jan/san industry can tell you that the Green movement is in full swing and here to stay. New Green products are appearing on the scene at a constant rate, but education on the topic doesn't always come at us as fast and furious.

That's why, according to Dianna Bisswurm, director of Industry Outreach, the Green Connection Pavilion will focus more on education than products. "It actually is not product related," says Bisswurm. "It focuses on resources and will involve consultants and certification houses that deal with environmentally friendly or Green aspects of our industry, as well as government agencies. It's about education, resources and knowledge, presented in a nonproduct specific manner." The Green Connection Pavilion is located right on the show floor and easily accessible.

ISSA's Product Innovation Competition is now in its third year, but 2008 marks the first time competitors can enter under the new Green category. These products have been certified by trusted Green certification houses such as Green Seal or EcoLogo. This year's competitors include Advance, Corporate Express, Kaivac, Inc., Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Technical Concepts, Trojan Battery and Xela Innovations, LLC. Winners are voted on by the distributors, contractors and in-house attendees. At the end of the show, a special ceremony will be held where the winner is announced.

An unexpected speaker

"There's usually a stereotype of what an annual conference looks like and we try to break the mold to give people an incentive to come see what we've done differently this year," Bisswurm says. ISSA has certainly broken the mold by welcoming comedian Dr. Bill Cosby to the stage as its keynote speaker. Past speakers include George Bush Sr., Rudy Giuliani and other political figures. Cosby, while not a politician or Green pioneer, has plenty to offer the jan/san industry. In his keynote address, "It's Your Job to Feel Good," he'll explain how maintaining a positive outlook can go a long way in improving day-to-day business for jan/san distributors and workers.

"Bill Cosby was chosen because we knew he would bring a breath of fresh air," says Bisswurm. "Being in our business is not as glamorous a profession as a lawyer or a doctor; it's not a position that's put on a pedestal. He's going to come at it from the angle that it doesn't matter what others' perception of the cleaning industry is, there are many positive aspects about our job."

Whether it's new products, new resources or a new perspective, you're sure to find what you're looking for at the 2008 ISSA/Interclean North America conference.

Click Here for a full ISSA Schedule and Exhibitor Listing