The International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) has voted to merge with ISSA, a leading trade association for the global cleaning industry.

An agreement to merge was previously supported among IEHA’s board of directors because they felt it was the best way to sustain the association for the long term.

The IEHA is a 3,500-plus professional member organization for executive housekeepers who manage and direct housekeeping programs in commercial, industrial or institutional facilities.

“The size and stature of ISSA offers IEHA and all its members’ opportunities and advantages that IEHA would not have on its own,” said IEHA President Michael E. Patterson. “Also, it makes sense for all facets of the cleaning industry to be gathered under the same umbrella.

ISSA’s in-house staff will take over some tasks, he adds, giving IEHA staff more time to interact and help its members. Additionally, ISSA’s legislative staff keep tabs on laws that affect businesses.

“There is also a lobbying arm to make the interests of the cleaning industry known to lawmakers,” notes Patterson.

IEHA members will have access to global ISSA membership and benefits. These range from market exposure and networking to business tools and customer focused information like magazines and online data.

“ISSA’s mission is to change the way the world views cleaning in all sectors of the industry,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett in a press release. “The merger of ISSA and IEHA is yet another move toward creating one strong, unified industry.”