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LAS VEGAS—September 24, 2019—The Experience Convention and Trade Show continued Thursday with two keynote addresses and more educational sessions via the five training tracks. Attendees continued to find networking opportunities as they took part in hands-on training and demonstrations. The day ended with the Party by the Pool and Reception where recipients of the Experience Industry ICON Award and the Ralph Bloss Humanitarian Award were announced.

In the morning, Doug Hoffman of NORMI led a session on mold identification and remediation in which he covered how to determine if a mold or mildew issue is a small problem that can be cleaned or a systemic contamination that must be remediated or removed. Russ Jacobs of Esporta Wash Systems led a session exploring the claims process and technology available for contents restoration, and Garret Gray of Next Gear Solutions delved deeper into restoration technology in his session. Gray stressed that the restoration industry has already become a digital industry and gave five steps to help business owners catch up to the digital transformation and implement new technology.

After lunch, attendees could choose between two keynote addresses. Dr. Greg S. Whiteley of the Whiteley Corporation delivered a keynote on “Old Friends, New Threats, Biofilms, and Now Come the Superbugs.” His talk addressed some of the changes and new science available related to the transmission of  bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases, and how the cleaning industry and cleaning science can be used to address disease transmission. Mark Kennedy of the Levels of Success Program and Lisa Wagner of The Rug Chick and Textile Pro Network delivered a keynote on “Easy Marketing Strategies to Attract Higher-Value Clients.” Kennedy and Wagner shared five strategies for cleaning companies to target those clients willing to invest in higher-quality and specialized cleaning services.

Following another busy afternoon on the trade show floor, attendees moved on to the Experience Party by the Pool and Reception. During the reception, Larry Cooper, managing partner of The Experience Events, presented the Experience Industry ICON Award to Doyle Bloss, son of the late industry legend Ralph Bloss. The ICON Award recognizes members of the cleaning and restoration industry who have shown dedication to its growth and innovation. Bloss is currently the marketing and chemical brand manager for HydraMaster and has served the industry for more than 35 years, leading training programs and developing chemical lines.

The Ralph Bloss Humanitarian Award, which recognizes members of the industry who demonstrate compassion, generosity, and leadership in the service of humanitarian efforts, was also presented at the annual pool party. Ralph Bloss’ son, Doyle Bloss, presented the award to Shawn Bisaillon, and former Cleanfax Executive Editor Jeff Cross presented the award to Jack Solloway of Soil Away Cleaning and Restoration Services in New Hampshire. To read more about the humanitarian efforts of Bisaillon and Solloway, click here.

On Friday, the trade show floor opened for more product demonstrations as the final day of training sessions wrapped up. In the new “Good Life” track, Adam Hale of Carpet 911 asked “What is Real Success?” This session looked at success in business but also in your personal life has Hale shared strategies for living a well-balanced life and finding happiness on and off the truck. Bill Griffin of Cleaning Consultants led a session on hard floor care where he discussed tips and strategies for marketing hard floor care programs to customers. Bruce Deloatch of Cleaning Coach shared his strategies for managing people within a company to reduce conflict and improve performance.

As the 2019 Convention and Trade Show came to a close, participants headed home armed with new ideas, information, products, and business relationships to help propel their companies into success. Your next opportunity to attend an Experience event will be the spring Experience Conference and Exhibition, taking place April 1-3, 2020 at its new location in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit .

The Experience Convention 2019: Day 1 Recap

LAS VEGAS—September 19, 2019—The Experience Convention and Trade Show kicked off Wednesday at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. The first day of the Convention brought together carpet cleaning and restoration professionals from around the country to learn, network, and try new products.

The Convention officially got underway with Larry Cooper’s welcome address.

Lisa “Rug Chick” Wagner shows off her self-made “no viscose rayon” button—highlighting the problems viscose rugs cause in rug cleaning. Others could be seen wearing them throughout the trade show.

Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to choose from educational sessions in one of five tracks. In the Cleaning Track, Paul Tucker led a session on new carpet cleaning standards from CRI, and Pat Muller, Werner Buchmann, and Tim Baker teamed up for a session to debunk cleaning chemistry myths. In “Commercial Carpet Cleaning: Should I, or Shouldn’t I?”, Dane Gregory discussed the benefits and pitfalls of entering the commercial cleaning market. Participants learned how to staff, plan, sell, and supervise multiple crews, gaining the tools needed to embark or improve on their commercial carpet cleaning divisions.

The Restoration Track featured Tim Miller leading a session on growing your restoration business while Erin Hynum talked about the benefits of connected equipment. In Chuck Dewald’s session on drying chambers, he reviewed the options available for drying methods and equipment, detailing the pros and cons of each. Using thermodynamics, physics, and a new evaporation evaluation tool, participants learned how to evaluate and maximize each drying method.

Barry Costa teaches drying in The Experience flood house.

In the Management and Marketing Track, Mark Kennedy discussed management systems and David Dybdahl discussed insurance purchasing.  In Sonny Ahuja’s online lead generation session, participants learned proven ways to improve their website’s Google ranking, web design principles that improve lead generation, and Facebook hacks to implement immediately.

A panel comprised of all the “Good Life” track speakers fields questions from the audience.

The “Good Life” Track featured sessions on stress management, time management, safeguarding your future, and running a company without ruining your relationships. In “Discover How to Safeguard Your Future with Ami’s Umbrella,” Ami Ahuja, a licensed financial professional, sharpened the financial literacy of participants, teaching them how to save, grow, and protect their money for retirement.

In the IICRC Standards Track, attendees learned about ANSI/IICRC S500-2015 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration and IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation.

After a day packed with educational sessions, attendees waited anxiously for the grand opening of The Experience 2019 Trade Show Hall.

The crowd awaits the grand opening of the trade show hall.

On the trade show floor, top manufacturers and suppliers showcased the latest industry products and services, including live demonstrations at two flood houses. At 6:00 p.m., everyone gathered for the industry reception and the new MyExperience App Apple-a-Day Giveaway. It was a busy and successful start to the largest independent cleaning and restoration trade show in the industry. For more of the day’s events, check out the slide show and video below:

The Experience Convention Happening This Week

LAS VEGAS—September 17, 2019—The Experience Convention and Trade Show 2019, the largest independent cleaning and restoration trade show in the industry, is happening this week at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. See Cleanfax’s complete .

The pre-show events, “The Calm Before the Storm” and “Why, When, and How to Sell Your Restoration Business,” are already underway with the official Convention kicking off tomorrow and running September 18-20. Post-convention programs begin September 21, including the “Commercial Floorcare Contracting Class” and “Rug Tech-Ed.”

This much-anticipated event will attract cleaning and restoration professionals from all over the country, providing opportunities for networking, training, and education. Educational sessions will fall into one of five tracks:

1. Cleaning
2. Restoration
3. Management and marketing
4. The new “good life” track and general subjects
5. IICRC standard of care training

With these five educational tracks, there’s something for everyone who plays a role in the cleaning and restoration industry.

The trade show floor will host two live flood houses and over 300 booths where top companies will showcase the latest industry tools and products. Hands-on demonstrations will allow professionals to try these products for themselves. Don’t forget to download the MyExperience app to build your personal schedule and find the exhibits most relevant to your business.

Make sure to come see the Cleanfax crew at booth 505.

Many top industry associations will also participate in the event, including ������ý, the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association; the Association of Rug Care Specialists (ARCS); the National Organization of Restoration and Remediation Professionals (NORRP); the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI); and others.

It’s not too late to attend! To register for The Experience Convention, . If you are unable to attend the full convention, passes to the trade show only are available for just $10. For more information about The Experience Convention and Trade Show, click here.