ASHES Annual Conference to be Held Sept. 21-25 in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA -- Healthcare environmental service professionals who are looking for access to the top resources in professional training, products and people will find them at the 18th annual conference and technical exhibition of the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES) in Philadelphia, Sept. 21-25, 2003. Educational sessions will provide powerful take-home tools and critical information about hot issues that include staffing and productivity, infection control, disaster readiness, waste recycling, JCAHO issues and more.

Interactions with fellow attendees from across the country are key to integrating knowledge, expanding horizons and supporting implementation of the revolutionary ideas germinated at the conference. By popular demand, ASHES is bringing back the Circles of Excellence - a peer-to-peer sharing of ideas and best practices. Attendees will hear how others have successfully dealt with reducing costs, labor/union relations, cleaning critical areas and more.

Top speakers at the conference include Stephen M. Gower, CSP, who will share his strategies for refining how others perceive you and Joe Tye, president of Paradox 21 Inc., who will discuss the "Twelve Core Action Values" for building leadership skills. General sessions will include presentations by Laura Gaunder of The Ritz-Carlton on legendary service, Tony Schifano, president of Antos Environmental, on adding sizzle to your career and ASHES member Bob Hodnik on productivity standards, work assignments and benchmarking.

The conference will also feature social events, including attendance at one of the Philadelphia Phillies last games played at Veteran's Stadium - a special "Field of Memories" fan appreciation game. Another exceptional event will be the welcome reception and tour aboard the USS New Jersey, the U.S. Navy's most decorated battleship.

ASHES is the premier professional association for environmental services, housekeeping, waste management and textile care professionals in the healthcare industry. ASHES provides educational programs, opportunities to network with peers on a national level, recognition for personal and professional achievements, as well as affiliation and collaboration with the American Hospital Association on public policy and advocacy issues related to environmental services.