VegasRecently returned from Las Vegas after attending the annual conference for commercial and residential cleaning companies. I was invited as a nationally recognized expert on hoarding, to lead 3 roundtable discussions about a topic BERGFELD’s deals with every day, but also to keep up with what’s going on in the world of ARCSI (Association of Residential Cleaning Services International).  BERGFELD’s joined ARCSI when they had their first conference 10 years ago.  Membership has tripled since then and the scope of products and services has broadened beyond what was even imagined.  Entrepreneurship is alive and very well.  Example: When BERGFELD’s began 29 years ago, we bought protective gear from a local hardware/paint store.  Latex gloves were the only option, available in one size only.  City wide recycling programs did not yet exist.  Everything just got dumped into black, 3mil bags.  Cleaning supplies and equipment were basic, “one size fits all” with little variation or variety.  Well.  Not anymore.

glovesThe exhibit hall was packed with 140 booths of vendors, dealers and distributors of a wondrous variety of cleaning products, services and software programs.  I visited 8 booths for protective gloves alone!  Nitrile instead of latex, textured/smooth, powdered/powder free; wrist elastics/elbow length; 4 sizes (S, M, L, 2XL); variety of colors to designate different purposes and for different cleaning products; plain/embossed with your company logo; biodegradable/made from recycled materials.  And, a few poised to support our pro bono Partnership projects by donating gloves.

29 years ago when BERGFELD’s began, we could not have imagined such an abundance of products.

Learning about the latest products and services of our industry is essential. Equally important is connecting with colleagues from all over the country, sharing trade secrets with each other, exchanging tips on improving client relationships. And, giving talks and just hanging out with colleagues is fun.

Here’s a photo of me leading the first of 3 roundtable discussions….

BERGFELD's round table discussion at ARCSI