When I was a kid, I wanted to be an inventor. I dreamed of creating something no one had ever thought of—something that would help people and change lives.
I’d spend entire days searching for that breakthrough. I pored through our Encyclopedia Britannica (remember those?) for inspiration and constantly interviewed friends, parents, neighbors, and teachers, hoping for an “aha” moment.
I quickly learned that inventing something truly new is hard. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t come without persistence, research, and a lot of trial and error. That realization, even at a young age, gave me valuable perspective—one that now guides me as I evaluate nearly 100 jan/san industry innovations submitted for the Interclean Amsterdam Innovation Award 2026.
As Editor-in-Chief of the leading commercial cleaning media outlets in the U.S., I’m honored to serve as the country’s sole representative on the award’s international jury. Fellow judges hail from the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Spain, while product innovations come from every corner of the world.
This year’s submissions include new chemistries designed to combat bacteria and emerging viruses, equipment focused on worker safety and ergonomics, technology and software that improve efficiency and training, and rapidly advancing autonomous solutions that address staffing challenges. Without question, the creativity and ingenuity on display will help drive our industry forward.
As I write this, I’m preparing to board a plane to Amsterdam, where the jury will attend presentations, demonstrations, hands-on testing, and in-depth discussions with suppliers who have been named finalists for the award. From there, we’ll determine the winners, who will be announced during Interclean Amsterdam in April.
It’s inspiring to see how many people are dedicated to advancing this industry. Innovation isn’t easy, but their commitment makes a difference. It’s improving jan/san for the future, and I’m grateful—and proud—to play even a small role in that journey.
Celebrating BSCAI's 60th Anniversary eBook
The Down and Dirty on Cleaning in Virus Season
How Surfactant Use is Expanding in Commercial Cleaning