McCormick Place Earns ISSA CIMS Sustainability Cleaning Certification

McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, has become the first facility to achieve Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Green Building + Sustainability Certification with Honors from ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, marking a major milestone for sustainability leadership in the meetings and events industry.

The designation recognizes McCormick Place’s commitment to measurable, third-party-verified sustainable cleaning and facility management practices, including environmental stewardship, sustainable operations and continuous improvement.

CIMS Sustainability Certification provides an independent framework that validates how organizations manage sustainable cleaning operations across people, processes and performance, while meeting the five core pillars of the CIMS standard—Quality Systems; Service Delivery; Human Resources; Health, Safety and Environmental Stewardship; and Management Commitment—plus CIMS-Green Building (GB) criteria for green cleaning practices.

“Earning CIMS Sustainability Certification demonstrates that MPEA | McCormick Place prioritizes sustainable cleaning and facility management practices and reflects our deep responsibility not only to our clients and partners, but to the broader industry,” said Larita Clark, chief executive officer at MPEA. “As the first facility team to achieve this certification, McCormick Place is proud to help set the standard for what responsible, accountable, and sustainable cleaning practices look like at scale.”

“McCormick Place’s achievement represents a defining moment for the meetings and events industry,” said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. “As the first facility team to earn CIMS Sustainability Certification, McCormick Place demonstrates that sustainable cleaning and facility management is built on verified practices—not promises—and a model that other facilities can follow.”

“This achievement would not have been possible without our strong collaboration with the Aramark team,” said Cullyn Doerfler, senior sustainability manager at McCormick Place. “This certification reflects our campus-wide commitment to sustainability, from implementing green cleaning practices and environmentally responsible products to prioritizing the health, safety and well-being of both frontline staff and campus visitors.”