AHE Exchange25: A Must-Attend Event for EVS Leaders

The Association for the Healthcare Environment’s (AHE) signature event, Exchange25, is an opportunity to connect with peers, gain strategic insights, and explore solutions that address the real-world challenges Environmental Services (EVS) leaders face every day. The EVS leader role is more critical than ever. While overseeing cleaning protocols, they are also managing people, shaping patient experiences, and driving compliance across a facility.

Exchange25 is quickly approaching on June 8–11, 2025. For EVS professionals that have yet to register, there is still time! The event held this year in Columbus, Ohio, convenes EVS leaders from across the country to share best practices, discover emerging trends, and reinforce the essential role of environmental services in healthcare. Whether they are focused on workforce stability or infection prevention, Exchange25 offers tools and perspectives to help EVS leaders elevate their department and leadership skills. With over 20 different educational sessions and talks, there will be plenty to discuss with participants and presenters. This year, I see workforce retention, new technology, and emerging pathogens coming to the forefront, with many lessons to learn from each topic:

1. Workforce Innovation, Retention, and Leadership Development One of the most urgent concerns for EVS managers today is building and maintaining a dependable, motivated workforce. At Exchange25, plan to dive into actionable strategies for recruiting and retaining top talent in a competitive labor market.

Expected Key Takeaways:

• Strategies for creating a strong departmental culture that drives employee engagement and loyalty.
• Frameworks for career pathing that support professional growth within EVS roles.
• Tactics for managing diverse teams across multiple shifts while ensuring consistency in quality and compliance.

2. Emerging Pathogens and Implications for EVS Teams As emerging pathogens continue to surface with increasing frequency and severity, EVS leaders remain on the frontlines of preparedness and response. Expect educational sessions at Exchange25 to provide timely updates on several of today’s most urgent emerging infectious threats and offer cleaning and disinfection protocols to help keep patients and staff safe.

Expected Key Takeaways:

• Current landscape and trends in emerging pathogen threats impacting healthcare.
• Case studies showcasing real-time EVS response and lessons learned.
• Tools and protocols to support rapid implementation and staff training.

3. Infection Prevention Technology and Data-Driven EVS Performance The EVS department is at the frontline of preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and Exchange25 will spotlight the latest innovations to support an infection control strategy. From cutting-edge disinfection technology to evidence-based cleaning validation tools, attendees will explore the next generation of environmental hygiene.

Expected Key Takeaways:

• Implementation guidance for new technologies, ATP monitoring, and automated reporting systems.
• Collaboration models for strengthening your department’s partnership with infection prevention and clinical leadership.
• Benchmarking data and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to demonstrate the value of EVS to your leadership team.

What Else You Can Expect

Leadership Tracks: Develop an executive presence, strategic planning capabilities, and communication skills in sessions built specifically for EVS leaders.

Interactive Expo Hall: Discover and demo the latest technologies, products, and services shaping the future of environmental services.

Peer Networking: From compliance challenges to staff morale, connect with fellow directors and managers who are solving the same problems EVS leader’s face.

I have three presentations at Exchange25 and look forward to the opportunity to share insights, connect with EVS professionals, and contribute to meaningful discussions at the event::

• Pitch to Win: Navigating Business Case Approvals
• Protecting with Purpose: Leadership Solutions for Today’s Top EVS Challenges
• HazMats/HazWastes/HazChems Compliance: Lessons Learned from The Trenches!

Final Thoughts

EVS leaders play a crucial role in shaping the safety and experience of healthcare facilities. AHE Exchange25 provides an opportunity to gain insights, build relationships, and access tools that support leadership with confidence and innovation. This event offers a valuable chance to grow as a leader and strengthen EVS programs.