ROSEMONT, Ill. — A toilet paper toss. A mop relay. A rapid vacuum race.
If you think this describes a sporting event of sorts, you would be right. Trade show competitions are held on show floors across the world to engage attendees, celebrate industry professionalism and standards, and celebrate the best of the best in a field.
Every year, the crowd-pleasing ISSA Housekeeping Olympics takes place at ISSA Show North America — allowing attendees of the event to enjoy themselves as professionals show off their abilities.
“It’s a way for our industry to show their skills, and be competitive while having fun and getting together as a community,” said Jill Nuppenau, ISSA’s Senior Director of Marketing and Communications.
And it’s not just people in the cleaning profession enjoying the competition. Over the last three decades the ISSA Housekeeping Olympics has grown exponentially, so now the public can come watch the action. Spectators will get the opportunity to cheer on their favorite teams on November 16 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
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A Cuppa Competition
Since 2000, the World Barista Championship (WBC) has been part of the World of Coffee event organized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). During this competition, over 50 contestants from around the world are given 15 minutes to prepare 12 drinks — four espressos, four milk-based drinks, and four unique signature beverages — and are judged based on factors like taste, creativity and cleanliness.
While the WBC may be enjoyable, it is primarily a way to ensure that professionals are living up to expected industry standards.
“The World Barista Championship brought a new level of excitement to the trade show floor,” said Amy Ball, Digital Content Director of the SCA. “It emerged at a time when the industry was having important conversations about what it meant to be a professional barista. This unique event became a way to showcase a new, shared understanding of excellence in coffee preparation and service, while giving baristas a dynamic platform to demonstrate their skills and learn from one another.”
The World of Coffee hosts several other competitions, including the World Latte Art Championship, the World Coffee Roasting Championship, and the World Brewers Cup.
If a Tree Falls at a Trade Show…
As a show that caters to people in one of the most dangerous professions to work in, it’s not surprising that ArborEXPO™ wants to use the event as a way to
reinforce safety. As a result, the show is the home of ArborSPORTS™, which includes chainsaw handling and rigging technique evaluations. This is particularly important because for those in the tree care industry, every centimeter counts.
“It’s not an Olympics, but it is an Olympics to make sure that people are still safe,” said Show Manager Sachin Mohan. “If you go and cut the notch a half centimeter away or two meters away, you just fell a tree on somebody. That’s where the significance of the sports is. You’re going to cut a tree, and it’s going to have to fall in a certain direction within two meters. If not, you’re disqualified.”
Competitors will get the chance to find out if they’re a cut above the rest at ArborEXPO™ 2027, which will be March 31–April 2.
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