ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

CMS Berlin - the German cleaning exhibition - takes place next week, with a programme centred on how digitalisation and artificial intelligence are influencing cleaning and hygiene services. Occupying more than 34,000 square metres, the exhibition will combine product showcases with forums, themed days and guided tours.

The CMS Practice Forum in Hall 6.2 will serve as the main discussion platform. Organised jointly with the Federal Guild Association of Building Cleaners (BIV), the Cleaning Systems Association (VDMA) and the Industrial Association for Hygiene and Surface Protection (IHO), it will address three main themes: digitalisation and AI, sustainability and practical knowledge for daily operations.

Sessions will examine the potential and limits of AI in building cleaning, conditions required for its wider use, and digital tools for sustainability reporting. Presentations will also cover sector-specific issues such as housekeeping and healthcare cleaning.

At Speakers’ Corner in Hall 5.2, exhibitors will present innovations and case studies in 20-minute sessions. Many will focus on digitalisation in facility management and healthcare, with AI-supported live translation provided to support international exchange.

Friday September 26 will bring two themed focus days. The Housekeeping Focus Day begins with a networking breakfast and will examine robotics in hotel operations, with contributions from the Hotel Competence Centre and the Housekeeping Academy. A guided tour will highlight exhibitor solutions tailored to housekeeping needs. Running in parallel, the Hospital Cleaning and Care Focus Day will include the first Hospital Cleaning Circle – an invitation-only networking format for healthcare cleaning managers.

The Mobility Cleaning Circle returns on September 24, bringing together stakeholders from the cleaning and mobility sectors.

For the first time, guided tours will introduce visitors to finalists of the Purus Innovation Awards (PIA), covering equipment, digital tools, robotics and AI applications. The awards ceremony will take place on the opening evening.

CMS takes place from September 23-26 at Messe Berlin. For more details on visiting: www.cms-berlin.de