ISSA

What ISSA does

ISSA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1923 and headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, operating as the leading global trade body for the cleaning and facility solutions industry. It serves more than 11,000 member companies across the supply chain — including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, and residential cleaners — through six regional offices in North America, EMEA, Canada, China, Korea, and Oceania. Its core offerings fall into three pillars: industry standards and certifications (Cleaning Industry Management Standard/CIMS, CIMS-Green Building with Honors, GBAC STAR Accreditation, ISSA Clean Standards, Official ISSA Cleaning Times); education and professional development through the Cleaning Management Institute, Online Learning Center, and the Inspire AR training platform; and a global events portfolio comprising ISSA Show North America, ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo (Australasia), ISSA Show Asia, China Clean Expo, and ISSA Pulire (Milan). Supporting revenue and engagement come from integrated media (ISSA Today, CMM, Cleanfax, Straight Talk! podcast/webcast), the ISSA Consulting Network, advocacy programs (Clean Advocacy Summit, International Cleaning Week), and charitable sub-brands (Cleaning for a Reason, Hygieia Network, ISSA Scholars).

ISSA generates revenue through six diversified streams: tiered annual membership dues (Basic, Plus, Premium, Industry Partner, plus US$1,000 Lifetime), trade show and event registration/exhibitor fees, certification and education program revenue (CMI, Online Learning Center, Cleaning Times guidebook), media advertising and sponsorships across magazines and digital channels, one-time lifetime membership fees, and professional consulting services delivered through a partner network. Its go-to-market combines event-driven acquisition (trade shows and summits), community-led engagement across seven industry-segment peer groups, and direct sales through regional offices. The association operates a hybrid segmentation model targeting primary B2B segments (Building Service Contractors, Distributors, Manufacturers) and use-case verticals (Healthcare, Hospitality, K-12/Higher Education, Government facilities). Distribution is multi-channel: direct membership sales, five regional trade shows, a self-serve online learning platform, regional offices acting as local resellers, and an integrated media portfolio for advertising reach.

Name

ISSA

Legal name

International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA)

Website

https://issa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ISSA is the global nonprofit trade association for the cleaning industry, serving 11,000+ member companies across distributors, manufacturers, contractors, and facility managers worldwide through certifications (CIMS, GBAC STAR), education, trade shows, advocacy, and consulting services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincolnwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from more than 11,000 companies, organizations, and individuals in the cleaning industry. Membership pricing based on business type, company size, corporate location, and benefits selected.
2. Trade Shows and Events: Revenue from global trade shows including ISSA Show North America, ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, ISSA Show Asia, China Clean Expo, and ISSA Pulire. Also includes registration fees for Clean Advocacy Summit and other industry events.
3. Education and Certifications: Revenue from professional certifications, Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) programs, online learning center subscriptions, and the Official ISSA Cleaning Times guidebook sales in multiple languages and formats.
4. Media and Advertising: Revenue from ISSA Media brands including ISSA Today, CMM (Cleaning & Maintenance Management), and Cleanfax magazines. Also includes advertising in digital channels, newsletters (113,000+ subscribers), and sponsorships.
5. Lifetime Benefits Program: One-time payment of US$1,000 for lifetime membership benefits including complimentary registration at ISSA Show North America, ISSA Today magazine, and member pricing on education and training.
6. ISSA Consulting Services: Custom consulting services for cleaning businesses including audits, assessments, operational optimization, business management, and RFP/contract services through the ISSA Global Consulting Network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

ISSA is a nonprofit trade association serving the global cleaning and facility solutions industry. It delivers value through tiered membership subscriptions, industry standards and certifications (CIMS, GBAC STAR), professional education (Cleaning Management Institute, Online Learning Center), international trade shows, consulting services, advocacy representation, and media publications.

Product overview

ISSA is the world's leading trade association for the cleaning industry, operating as a membership organization with more than 11,000 members including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio centered around three core pillars: industry standards and certifications (CIMS, CIMS-GB, GBAC STAR), education and professional development (ISSA Learning Center, Cleaning Management Institute, Official ISSA Cleaning Times, ISSA Clean Standards), and global events (ISSA Show North America, ISSA Show Asia, ISSA PULIRE, China Clean Expo, ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo). Supporting offerings include ISSA Consulting services, advocacy programs (Clean Advocacy Summit, International Cleaning Week), media publications (ISSA Today, CMM, Cleanfax, Straight Talk!), and charitable initiatives (Cleaning for a Reason, ISSA Hygieia Network, ISSA Scholars). The organization provides technology tools including the Inspire AR Platform for augmented reality training and various toolkits for member business operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS): Industry certification standard for cleaning organizations
• GBAC STAR Accreditation
• Cleaning Management Institute (CMI)
• ISSA Show North America
• ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo
• ISSA Show Asia
• ISSA Pulire
• ISSA Hygieia Network
• Cleaning for a Reason
• ISSA Scholars

Products and services

• ISSA Membership Tiered annual membership offering access to business resources, education, events, industry research, global trade shows, advocacy representation, and member discount programs for cleaning industry companies.
• Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Certification Industry management certification evaluating cleaning organizations across five core pillars: Green Cleaning Policy, Cleaning Practices & Materials, High-Performance Equipment, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Management Commitment. Includes CIMS-GB (Green Building) and CIMS-STAR options.
• GBAC STAR Accreditation Accreditation program establishing commitment to safeguarding occupant health through rigorous facility assessment for biorisk preparedness, safety, and sustainability.
• ISSA Show North America North America's premiere trade event for commercial cleaning and maintenance industries, featuring manufacturers, distributors, and cleaning professionals.
• ISSA Show Asia Regional trade show connecting cleaning professionals and industry leaders across the Asia-Pacific region.
• ISSA PULIRE International fair for the cleaning and sanitation industry held in Milan, connecting global exhibitors and cleaning professionals.
• China Clean Expo (CCE) Asia's flagship cleaning expo organized with ISSA support, showcasing cleaning products, solutions, and advanced technologies including smart cleaning robots.
• ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo Australasia's premier annual event for cleaning and facility solutions held in Melbourne, Australia.
• Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) Educational and professional development division providing workshops, certification programs, and consulting services for cleaning and maintenance professionals.
• ISSA Consulting Services Custom consulting services through ISSA Global Consulting Network providing operational assessments, audits, mergers & acquisition support, RFP/contract services, and business optimization for cleaning businesses.
• Official ISSA Cleaning Times Comprehensive guidebook providing accurate tools, tasks, and workloading information for cleaning operations management, available in Imperial and Metric versions in English, Spanish, Arabic, and French.
• ISSA Clean Standards Framework using ATP measurement methodology to help schools and institutional facilities objectively assess cleaning effectiveness based on Clean, Measure, Monitor philosophy.
• ISSA Online Learning Center Self-paced online education and certification platform offering courses, professional certification programs, and access to the Official ISSA Cleaning Times digital edition.
• ISSA Today Magazine Bi-monthly publication featuring articles, thought-leadership content, and ISSA updates covering industry trends, certifications, technologies, legislation, and business advice.
• Cleaning & Maintenance Management (CMM) Magazine Leading media brand serving facility service providers with the latest insights and information shaping the cleaning industry.
• Cleanfax Magazine Top media resource for the specialty cleaning and restoration industry covering carpet, floor care, disaster restoration, and environmental services.
• Straight Talk! Podcast & Webcast Industry video program and companion podcast series hosted by Jeff Cross, spotlighting cleaning industry issues, news, how-to tips, and marketing strategies.
• Inspire AR Platform Augmented reality platform transforming employee training, cleaning verification, and real-time staff communication to boost workforce performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 11,000 member companies across the cleaning and facility solutions industry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IM SinoexpocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025IM Sinoexpo organizes China Clean Expo (CCE), with ISSA as a supporting partner. CCE 2026 held March 31 - April 3, 2026 at Shanghai New International Expo Center, featuring nearly 500 exhibitors and 140,000 visitors from 176 countries.
• 24 Hour FitnesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 202524 Hour Fitness partnered with ISSA to require all of its nearly 250 general managers to become certified personal trainers by end of November, enhancing leadership quality and meeting evolving member expectations.
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISSA's CIMS and CIMS-Green Building certification is recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council within the LEED-EB O&M v5 standard, establishing industry-wide credibility for sustainable cleaning practices.
• Healthcare Surfaces InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to reduce healthcare-associated infections and provide safer healthcare environments through targeted training, strategic task forces, and evidence-based practices.
• IEHA (International Executive Housekeepers Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiatives including Housekeeping and Environmental Services Day and Housekeeping Olympics celebrating frontline industry professionals.
• INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on WIPPES Act advocacy for Do Not Flush labeling standards for non-flushable wipes, supporting sustainable product practices.
• Hinz GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStrategic Pipeline Analysis and Proposal Development consulting partners within ISSA Global Consulting Network, led by Dan Marsh (CEO/Co-Chair) and Josh Thiel (AI Center of Excellence).
• Mulberry Marketing CommunicationsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStrategic Marketing & Communications partner within ISSA Global Consulting Network, led by Matt Serra.
• Cornerstone Virtual PartnersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOperational Strategy & Leadership partner within ISSA Global Consulting Network, led by Nicole Bernardo.
• Ikigai Management ConsultantsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBusiness Strategy & Leadership Support partner within ISSA Global Consulting Network, led by Paul Greenland.
• ST Facility Maintenance Consulting, LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganizational & Operational Optimization partner within ISSA Global Consulting Network, led by Richard Curry.
• Virginia TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Virginia Tech for Core Selling Skills online course, available through ISSA Online Learning Center.
• Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRI worked directly with ISSA to develop the Clean Standard: K-12 through consensus-based process with experts from all industry sectors and facility management communities.
• Sunbelt RentalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering specialized scholarship program for ISSA members seeking educational opportunities related to facility management and maintenance (CMI Sunbelt Scholarship).
• GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBAC is a division of ISSA focused on establishing standards for biorisk readiness and preparedness, including GBAC STAR accreditation for facilities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BSCAI (Building Service Contractors Association International): BSCAI is a trade association specifically serving building service contractors, overlapping directly with ISSA's Building Service Contractors member segment. Both compete for the same contractor membership base, certifications, and event participation in the commercial cleaning industry.
• IFMA (International Facility Management Association): IFMA is the leading global trade association for facility management professionals, with overlapping membership in facility service providers and in-house cleaning teams. ISSA explicitly serves the facility solutions market and competes for adjacent member mindshare in facility services standards and events.
• American Cleaning Institute (ACI): ACI is the trade association for the U.S. cleaning products industry, representing manufacturers of cleaning products, soaps, and detergents. ACI overlaps with ISSA's manufacturer segment and competes for industry research, policy advocacy, and consumer education influence in the broader cleaning products and services ecosystem.
• IEHA (International Executive Housekeepers Association): IEHA is a professional association for housekeeping and environmental services professionals, overlapping with ISSA's hospitality and healthcare cleaning segments. IEHA and ISSA already co-host initiatives like Housekeeping and Environmental Services Day, while competing for member engagement and certification authority in the housekeeping space.
• Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI): CIRI is a research-focused institute serving the cleaning industry, which worked directly with ISSA to develop the Clean Standard: K-12. While CIRI focuses on scientific research rather than membership services, it represents an adjacent standards and thought-leadership peer for industry-defining research.
• ARCSI (Association of Residential Cleaning Services International): ARCSI is a trade association specifically for residential cleaning services, a member segment that ISSA also serves. Both associations compete for residential cleaners seeking professional development, certification, and business resources in the residential cleaning market.

Broad incumbents

• BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association): BOMA is a larger, more established trade association serving commercial real estate owners and managers, a constituency that includes buyers of professional cleaning services. While broader in scope than ISSA, BOMA overlaps in advocacy, education, and standards influence over commercial building operations where cleaning is a key tenant concern.

Emerging players

• INDA (Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry): INDA serves the nonwoven fabrics industry, including wipes and related cleaning product components. INDA partners with ISSA on the WIPPES Act advocacy for Do Not Flush labeling, and represents a partially overlapping constituency in the cleaning products supply chain.
• Ashkin Group: Ashkin Group is a sustainability consulting firm focused on the cleaning industry, providing advisory services that overlap with ISSA's consulting and sustainability certification offerings. It represents a smaller-scale private competitor in the cleaning industry advisory space.

Regional players

• ICRA (International Cleaning & Restoration Association): ICRA is an association focused on specialty cleaning, restoration, and disaster recovery services, with content also covered by ISSA's Cleanfax magazine. ICRA represents a partially overlapping specialty cleaning peer, particularly in the carpet, floor care, and restoration segments where ISSA also has presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ISSAMediaTV
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/issaworldwide
• Xx.com/issaworldwide
• Facebookfacebook.com/issaworldwide

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ISSA