5 Very Good Reasons to Join a Cleaning Association

If you’re looking for the latest in industry news, networking, discounts, and more, a cleaning association membership is the perfect investment.

Getting your cleaning business off the ground was no small task. You had to learn about current trends, industry standards, OSHA regulations, and other nuanced details related to the business. Maybe you breathed a sigh of relief when you completed all your research, only to realize that your research was just the beginning. To be successful, you know you have to stay on top of those trends as they evolve. If only there were a cleaning association that could connect you to the resources you need…

But wait, there is! In fact, you have several cleaning association choices. Such organizations have existed for nearly a hundred years, and as the cleaning industry has grown, more associations have cropped up. The question is, which cleaning association is right for your business?

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History and purpose

Alfred Richter established the first cleaning association, then called the National Sanitary Supply Association, in 1926 on the premise that, “a conference of successful distributors, drawn from various metropolitan cities, would result in an exchange of ideas that would be beneficial to all.” His vision is still alive today as ISSA—The Worldwide Cleaning Association, an organization that boasts over 6,000 members from different parts of the industry from around the world.

The purpose of this cleaning association and others remains unchanged since Richter; these groups are designed to connect cleaning industry professionals with each other to share information and provide resources that will help everyone find success in their business endeavors.

5 reasons to join a cleaning association

If the idea of having a worldwide network of cleaning professionals isn’t enough to convince you to join a cleaning association, here are a few more reasons to consider:

1. Education 

To be successful in any industry, you can never stop learning. A cleaning association membership makes that easier by providing access to hundreds and even thousands of educational and training resources. From online classes to webinars, as well as member meetings, expert advice, trade publications, and compliance updates, cleaning associations put up-to-date information about the industry at your fingertips. These days, many associations provide all of these helpful resources online, which means you can stay abreast of industry happenings from the comfort of your office or home. Many associations also have downloadable resources you can use to train and educate your staff.

2. Access to events 

Sure, you could spend your time researching industry-related events, like trade shows, seminars, and networking groups, but a cleaning association membership usually centralizes these happenings within a single database. Go online at any time to see what kinds of events might be happening near you.

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3. Marketing resources 

Another benefit of membership is access to marketing resources, such as market studies, press kits, logos, and member publications. These tools are all designed to help you more effectively market your business by communicating market trends and providing you with up-to-date information and resources for sharing your brand with the world.

4. Connecting businesses 

Most cleaning associations also include member directories that connect you with other businesses you can trust. Because all members have applications vetted by the cleaning association, you can be sure that the businesses listed in the directories share the same values and integrity as your own.

5. Discounts 

If the price of membership gives you pause, remember that these memberships almost always offer discounts to training courses, seminars, conventions, and suppliers services. Depending on how many of these services you use each year, these discounts could outweigh the cost of your membership fee. Think of it as an investment that provides a swift and lucrative return.

How to choose a cleaning association

Which cleaning association you choose depends on a few things, like the size of your business, location, the services you want, and the size of each association’s network. ISSA is probably the largest association, and even though they cater to small businesses, if you have fewer than ten employees, you might prefer a smaller organization with more members like you. On the flip side, it can be helpful to have access to those larger corporations so you can borrow some of their practices and implement them in your small business.

As a small business, you might also prefer a local association for a more connected, cohesive feeling. Just remember that the local associations may not have access to all that the national and international organizations do.

It comes down to what you want, and what you’re willing to pay. Depending on company size and which association you choose, member dues typically range from $400 to $900 annually. But again, remember that this is an investment that is almost guaranteed to provide returns. If the price tag is too high for your current fiscal year, it might be a good idea to budget for membership next year.

There are many cleaning associations to choose from, but we thought we’d get you started with a short list here. Any membership will be beneficial to your business, but we do recommend you research each of these (or other) associations to make sure you find the one that suits your business needs.

1. ISSA (The Worldwide Cleaning Association)
2. IJCSA (International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association)
3. ICRA (International Cleaning and Restoration Association)
4. NCA (National Cleaners Association)
5. BSCAI (Building Service Contractors Association International)