Cleaning Managers Make Meaningful Connections

I repeatedly hear from commercial cleaning industry members that “cleaning is a people business.” I know that when they say it, they’re referring to labor, and that even with growing technology and specialty tools, the physical task of cleaning inside facilities still requires human hands. But when I hear it, I think about friendship, camaraderie, and teamwork. I think about the people who continue to innovate and inspire. 

I was fortunate to be surrounded by those kinds of professionals at our Clean Buildings at NFMT East event recently held in Charlotte, North Carolina. This annual conference and expo attracts facility cleaning managers/executives from all over the country. They come from different backgrounds, work in varying facility types, and manage diverse budgets, but they all share similar experiences, as well as the drive to propel the commercial cleaning industry forward. 

One of my biggest takeaways from this event was seeing people connect in such meaningful ways. During the show I moderated several “huddles,” where attendees joined open forums focused on hot-button topics such as staffing and retention or managing a multigenerational workforce. Not only were these valuable learning opportunities, but they presented incredible networking moments where I witnessed managers come together to lift one another up and share solutions for overcoming common struggles.  

This felt like a celebration of teamwork, which continued onto the expo floor where I hosted expert Q&A discussions on topics such as the integration of technology in cleaning, improving departmental culture, and training techniques that work. While discussing these challenges, attendees who gathered to listen were encouraged to join and steer the conversation. The reward came in the form of personal recommendations attendees could implement back home.  

Clean Buildings highlights people helping people—one of my favorite things about this industry. The event will be returning to NFMT East next year in Baltimore, March 31-April 2, 2027. I hope to see you there!

Corinne Zudonyi has been in the commercial cleaning industry for over 20 years and is proud to serve as Editor-In-Chief of Contracting Profits (the official publication of BSCAI), Facility Cleaning Decisions, and Sanitary Maintenance (the North American media partner of Interclean Amsterdam) magazines, publications that serve the professional cleaning industry. Additionally, Corinne manages CleanLink.com, the leading digital resource for the commercial cleaning industry, and she uses her industry knowledge to steer educational topics for Clean Buildings at NFMT East.
Corinne is the sole U.S. representative to serve on the international Interclean Amsterdam Innovation Jury, where she weighs in on product trends impacting commercial cleaning on a global scale. She also works closely with Healthy Green Schools & Colleges to advance healthy and sustainable cleaning in educational facilities. As a member of the CLEAN Awards Jury, through the Building Service Contractors Association International, Corinne also helps recognize cleaning contractors and their companies for outstanding service to the industry.
Corinne can commonly be found moderating industry panel discussions, presenting education, and focusing on bringing awareness and affirmation for the wonderful work that people do to keep facilities clean and building occupants safe and healthy.

Follow Corinne on LinkedIn here.