The Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) — an independent institute that fosters research into the benefits of cleaning and building maintenance — is beginning to make its presence felt in the professional cleaning and maintenance industry.
CIRI, founded in 2005 with a goal of raising the awareness of the importance of cleaning through scientific research, has:
Executive committee named
CIRI solidified its base as an effective organization by electing four of its board members to its executive committee when the board of directors met June 21 in Chicago.
The board unanimously elected the following officers to serve through the end of 2007:
In their new roles, these officers will make up the executive committee for CIRI, as well as serve on the finance committee.
The board also appointed Patti Costello of ASHES and Frank Hurd from the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) to the finance committee.
Trade show participation
Thanks to offers from board members John Garfinkel (ISSA) and Costello (ASHES), CIRI has agreed to participate in two fall trade shows — the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services conference in Nashville and ISSA/INTERCLEAN 2006 in Chicago.
At both trade shows, and for the first time in CIRI’s history, the research institute will have informational booths.
In addition, at ASHES, Dr. Michael Berry, chairman of CIRI’s Science Advisory Council, will present a paper on the Science of Cleaning, as well as participate in a panel discussion on green cleaning.
At ISSA/INTERCLEAN 2006, Dr. Steven Spivak, a member of the CIRI Science Advisory Council, will give an educational presentation and Jim Harris, CIRI board chairman, will present an update on the organization for trade show participants in a special amphitheater on the show floor.
The ISSA/INTERCLEAN 2006 trade show also will host CIRI’s annual meeting on Friday, Oct. 6.
Green cleaning position
Recognizing the importance of green cleaning to the professional cleaning industry, CIRI recently announced a formal position on the topic that emphasized cleaning first, and then green cleaning; that is, cleaning safely and effectively as well as being environmentally sound.
Recognizing the importance increasingly given to green cleaning, CIRI’s board of directors noted that some approaches to green cleaning may result in compromises to actual cleaning performance and efficacy as a consequence of environmental considerations.
According to the board of directors, CIRI’s mission will continue to attempt to identify sound, scientifically valid knowledge that promotes cleaning in general and the organization will look to its members and its Science Advisory Council for guidance on green cleaning.
Science Advisory Council
CIRI’s Science Advisory Council held its first meeting Aug. 10-11 at the University of North Carolina.
The council reviewed the current Science Advisory Program Plan 2006-07 and determined the primary work objectives of the council, discussing topics for scientific analysis.
Two other topics the council covered included:
Cleaning industry and emerging issues
Cleaning industry science needs
2007 symposium agenda set
CIRI announced it will be accepting scientific papers until the end of 2006 for its first CIRI Symposium and Conference.
The CIRI Symposium and Conference will be held April 30-May 2 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The program, headed by Thomas J.A. Jones, associate professor in the UNLV Department of Hotel Management, will include presentations on submitted scientific papers, presentations by invitation, and panel discussions.
CIRI membership grows
Doug Bradford, president of The Carpet Cleaner is the newest member to join the CIRI organization.
The Carpet Cleaner is a diverse textile maintenance company servicing the Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia corridor.
The addition of The Carpet Cleaner brings CIRI membership to 32.