Celebrating Excellence
in Contract Cleaning Services
The premier event recognizing service excellence and celebrating the work carried out behind the scenes across Ireland.
Celebrating Excellence
The ICCA Industry Awards ceremony is the biggest social event on the ICCA calendar. Independently judged awards recognizing service excellence and celebrating the work carried out behind the scenes across the country.
2026 Awards Timeline
January
Launch
Application Booklets Launched. Categories published.
February 10
Open for Entry
Workshop Webinar & Applications Open.
April 24
Deadline
Submissions close. Paper judging begins early May.
October 16
Ceremony
Winners announced at the Gala Event.
Award Categories
Three distinct sections: Site-Specific (Onsite Adjudication), Business Excellence (Online Adjudication), and Team & Individual Awards.
Site-Specific Awards
Excellence in cleaning operations at specific locations.
Healthcare
Excellence in cleaning healthcare facilities including hospitals (acute), care homes, surgeries, clinics, and dental practices. Demonstrates exceptional hygiene standards, infection prevention protocols, and compliance with healthcare regulations.
Education Buildings
Outstanding cleaning services in educational settings including pre-schools, nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities. Demonstrates safe, hygienic learning environments and effective management, engagement and partnership with the sites.
Offices < 50k sq ft
Best cleaned office space (all or part of a building) up to 50,000 square feet. Demonstrates consistent quality, efficient service delivery, and strong client relationships in professional office environments.
Offices > 50k sq ft
Best cleaned office space (all or part of a building) over 50,001 square feet. Demonstrates ability to manage large-scale operations, maintain quality across extensive premises, and deliver value to major corporate clients.
Retail / Shopping Centres
Excellence in cleaning retail environments and shopping centres over 50,000 square feet. Demonstrates ability to maintain high standards in public-facing spaces, manage diverse cleaning requirements, and work around trading hours. Also demonstrates effective engagement and partnership with operational teams.
Hospitality / Leisure
Outstanding cleaning in hospitality and leisure facilities including hotels, restaurants, stadiums, theme parks, airports, train stations, and holiday parks. Demonstrates high standards in customer-facing environments and effective coordination with operational teams.
Manufacturing / Industrial
Excellence in cleaning manufacturing and industrial facilities across all sectors. Demonstrates understanding of industrial cleaning requirements, health & safety compliance, and ability to work in complex operational environments.
Best Cleaned Premises (Small Company)
Excellence in site cleaning by companies with fewer than 250 employees. Can be any site or sector. Demonstrates how smaller organisations deliver exceptional quality and innovation despite resource constraints.
Business Excellence
Recognising organisational achievements (Online Adjudication).
Technological Innovation / Digital Transformation
Successful implementation of innovative technology, products, systems, or digital transformation that has added significant value to the business. Demonstrates measurable impact, scalability, and advancement of industry standards.
Sustainability / Social Impact / D&I
Demonstrating exceptional commitment to sustainability, social impact, and/or inclusion & diversity. Shows how these initiatives drive strategy, align with commercial success, and create positive change within the organization and wider community.
Training & People Development
Outstanding commitment to developing people through comprehensive training programs, career progression pathways, and investment in skills development. Demonstrates tangible outcomes for individuals and business performance.
Support Staff Team
Recognition of non-client-facing teams that contribute significantly to organizational success. Includes administration, Health & Safety, HR, IT, and support services. Demonstrates excellence in enabling front-line operations.
Team & Individual
Recognising exceptional individuals and sites.
Note: Companies can nominate an Operative and Supervisor for each site entered. The judges will select the "Best Overall" winners from these nominations.
Cleaning Team of the Year
Outstanding performance by a cleaning team of any size with an exceptional success story. Demonstrates teamwork, dedication, innovation, and measurable impact on service delivery.
Rising Star Award
Recognition of an individual with exceptional talent who has made a positive impact on their business or the industry as a whole and demonstrates significant potential for future leadership and innovation.
Best Overall Operative
Recognition of an exceptional cleaning operative who demonstrates outstanding dedication, commitment, excellent technique, and certified competence. Shows professionalism, reliability, and going above and beyond in their role.
Best Overall Supervisor
Recognition of an exceptional supervisor who demonstrates leadership, team development, operational excellence, and commitment to both clients and team members. Shows effective management and mentoring capabilities.
Best Overall Site
The highest recognition for site excellence across all categories. Demonstrates exceptional standards in all aspects including cleaning quality, operational management, team performance, client relationships, and innovation.
Judges
Our awards are adjudicated by independent industry experts, ensuring fairness and transparency.
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Lynn Webster
C.Env.Cln, FBICScDirector of LWC Ltd with over 40 years of experience. A recognised Cleanning Consultant and Auditor including for ISSA globally. Former National Chairman of BICSc and a judge for the European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards.
Lorraine Larman
C.Env.ClN CMIOSH FBICScIndependent consultant specializing in Health & Safety and Compliance. Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (2024). Expert in training and consultancy for companies of all sizes.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Partner with Excellence. Our sponsors are integral to the success of the awards, gaining prominent exposure to 300+ industry decision-makers.
HEADLINE
Exclusive (Limit 1)
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Premium (Limit 1)
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Exposure (Limit 3)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter multiple categories?
Yes! Each requires separate application and fee.
How are winners selected?
Paper judging, site visits, then final evaluation.
Do small companies have a chance?
Yes! Quality matters, not size.
What happens during site visits?
Quality tour, documentation review, nominee interviews.
What if I'm shortlisted?
Site visit or online interview to verify submission.
Can I edit after submission?
No. Double-check before submitting!
Ready to Apply?
Join the leading companies in Ireland. Download the booklet and prepare your entry today.
Applications Are Now ClosedTickets
Purchase tickets for the hotly anticipated ICCA Industry Awards. The ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Friday, 16 October 2026
from midday in the historic Round Room at Dublin's Mansion House, will once again shine a spotlight on the essential workers and innovative companies who operate largely behind the scenes to ensure clean, safe, and healthy environments across Ireland.
Ticket: €150 + VAT (€184.50 total)
Tables of 10 available
Our Sponsors
Thank you to our valued sponsors for their support of the ICCA Industry Awards 2026
