Sharing the professional message

The UKHA had a prominent role to play at The Manchester Cleaning Show, with national chair Lisa Williams and Yorkshire chair Janet Thompson among the expert speakers on the topic of ‘Meeting and Exceeding the Cleaning and Hygiene Requirements of the Hospitality Sector.’

It was an opportunity to highlight the association’s work to some of the 2,500 attendees involved in product sourcing, demonstrations, education and networking.

As they pointed out, you only get one chance to make a good first impression and this is critical in the fast-paced, highly competitive hospitality sector. We’re all aware of how the words of guests on review and booking sites can impact on potential bookings. This expert panel considered the specific challenges of these environments and discussed techniques and processes to ensure a 5-star rating from every user, every time.

Lisa Williams says: “Alongside fellow professionals, we explored how expectations in hospitality have fundamentally shifted and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the organisers, fellow panel members, and everyone who attended and contributed to such an important and timely discussion.

“I am passionate about repositioning housekeeping as a strategic driver of guest satisfaction, reputation, and revenue. I am incredibly grateful to work alongside professionals who continue to raise standards across our sector. The collaboration, openness, and shared commitment in the room today truly reflected the strength of our industry.”

Topics covered included how cleanliness is no longer assumed, it is scrutinised, and that sustainability is no longer optional, but regulated, and claims must be evidence-based and authentic. The importance of wellbeing was also considered.

As Williams says: “Most importantly, appreciation must extend to our housekeeping teams. They are not simply maintaining standards – they are protecting brand trust every single day. Their resilience, professionalism, and pride deserve far greater recognition.”

Separately, in a direct appeal to decision-makers, Williams has highlighted how housekeeping is no longer just about clean rooms, but about leadership, training, data, guest experience, wellbeing and recognition. This means investing in structured training to career pathways; educating on commercial awareness; and empowering supervisors to lead, not just check rooms.

“Future room attendants should see housekeeping as a career, not just a job,” she says. “When we elevate our teams, standards rise, retention improves and our profession gains the recognition it deserves. Let’s stop surviving. Let’s start leading.”