Executive Housekeeping Today- August 2008 - (Page 6) The ISSA/I.E.H.A. Alliance Through the Years In September 1999, the cover of Executive Housekeeping Today declared “The Alliance Begins!” and an exciting new era of collaboration between ISSA and I.E.H.A. members (manufacturers and end-users) began. With nearly ten years behind us, and the future stretching out before us, I can say with surety that our partnership with ISSA has placed I.E.H.A. in a position of growth. In October 1999, Anna Rodriguez was the outgoing President of I.E.H.A. during the Convention in Chicago, IL, and she said, “I foresee the alliance with ISSA as a very positive move by I.E.H.A.; one that can only bring strength and a win-win situation for us all. I see only good and positivism coming from such a merger.” Within the past year alone, our alliance with ISSA has benefited I.E.H.A. members through various lobbying efforts that would have been out of our price range. For example, earlier this year, the EPA wanted to have all housekeepers, or anybody who applies germicides (which is a pesticide of sorts because it kills living organisms), be required to be certified. ISSA spoke on behalf of I.E.H.A.’s members and was successful in killing the idea during the comment period. In addition, we have benefited financially, as we have seen increased sales of books, educational programs, and videos. In the 1960s, I grew up watching the “Ed Sullivan Show.” As many of you may recall, Ed Sullivan’s trademark phrase was, “A really big shew.” This phrase may be laughable, or almost totally unheard of, today; however, from 1948-1971, Mr. Sullivan consistently delivered, as he promised, “A really big shew” (a really big show) to millions every week on CBS television. i By J. Darrel Hicks, R.E.H. I.E.H.A. President The cover of the September 1999 issue of EHT, declaring the beginning of the ISSA/I.E.H.A. alliance. Much like Ed Sullivan, ISSA has consistently delivered a “really big show” each year, and our members have benefited from it by being aligned with the leading industry-wide trade show in the U.S. With over 700 vendors displaying their wares each fall, the Convention/trade show offers I.E.H.A. members cutting-edge chemicals, the latest innovations in cleaning equipment, timely educational topics, and motivational speeches from some of the biggest names in politics, entertainment, and the cleaning industry. I would personally like to thank the 1998 Board of Directors and Officers who were at the cusp of a radical change and saw the possibilities this partnership would bring: President Anna Rodriguez, President-Elect Gene Woodard, Secretary/Treasurer Paulette Collins, Willette Matthews, David Navarra, William Thomas, Maria Schuster, Karen Nelson, Carole Katz, Gregory Rhoads, Willie Mieldon, Verlin “Duke” Raile, Hazel Reese, Faye McMaster, and Peggy Hudson. As we build on the alliance between our two organizations, we will, at the same time, build the brand of the International Executive Housekeepers Association as the membership of choice for cleaning professionals around the globe. W 6 Executive Housekeeping Today/Convention Program 2008
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