ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is proud to announce the winners of its first-ever Spotless Spaces Competition, sponsored by Tork, an Essity Brand. This exclusive ISSA-member benefit spotlights outstanding cleaning environments worldwide, celebrating the critical work of cleaning professionals in maintaining safe, healthy, and pristine facilities.

“The Spotless Spaces Competition exemplifies our industry’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “These winners set the gold standard for cleanliness and hygiene, creating spaces where health, safety, and well-being thrive. Their achievements serve as benchmarks for the entire industry.”

The competition recognizes excellence in three categories:

1. Tork Think Ahead Facility Excellence Award Winner: The in-house cleaning team for Gathering Place Public Park in Tulsa, OK.
2. U.S. Spotless Space of the Year Winner: The in-house cleaning team at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for the Archives and Virginia Square Metro Stations in Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
3. International Spotless Space of the Year Winner: Hygiene & Sanitization Services – Fiji LTD, the building service contractor for Labasa Hospital, Nadi Hospital, and CWM Hospital in Fiji.

The Tork Think Ahead Facility Excellence Award, sponsored by Tork, honors a facility that demonstrates a best-in-class approach to sustainable hygiene management. The U.S. and International Spotless Space of the Year winners were selected through an extensive voting process that engaged both industry professionals and the general public.

“We are thrilled to recognize Gathering Place Public Park as the recipient of the Tork Think Ahead Facility Excellence Award,” said Matthew Urmanski, Vice President of Sales & Marketing North America at Essity. “Gathering Place Public Park embodies the highest standards in sustainable hygiene management, implementing innovative solutions that enhance business outcomes. Their forward-thinking approach underscores the critical role of smart hygiene practices in creating cleaner, safer, more sustainable, and accessible spaces.”

The Spotless Spaces Competition is a key highlight of International Cleaning Week 2025, held from March 23-29. This global event underscores the cleaning industry’s vital role in protecting public health and driving economic impact.

For more information about the Spotless Spaces Competition and its winners, visit www.issa.com/advocacy/international-cleaning-week/spotless-spaces-winners/.

About ISSA
With more than 11,000 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.

About Tork
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide, ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, sanitizers, napkins, wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become the global leader that empowers customers to think ahead and improve business outcomes through sustainable hygiene management. Tork is a global brand of Essity, and a committed partner to customers in over 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkglobal.com/us/en.

About ESSITY 
Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.

For more information, contact ISSA Senior Director of Marketing Jill Nuppenau at [email protected]; phone, 847-982-0800 Ext. 1367.