June 12, 2025

3rd-Annual OSC Custodian Maintenance Leadership Conference Inspires Nearly 400 Attendees

3rd-Annual OSC Custodian Maintenance Leadership Conference Inspires Nearly 400 Attendees

The 3rd-Annual OSC Custodian Maintenance Leadership Conference successfully brought together nearly 400 custodial and maintenance professionals on June 11, 2025, at Breckville-Broadview Heights Middle School. Under the theme Leading with Pride, Cleaning with Purpose, this year’s event continued to build on its growing tradition of empowering and recognizing the vital work of custodial and maintenance teams across the state.

The full-day conference offered dozens of leadership and skill-building sessions designed to support the evolving roles of custodial staff in today’s schools and facilities. From leadership development to hands-on skills training, the sessions addressed both the practical and personal aspects of the profession.

Keynote: Inspiration to Lead with Purpose

The conference opened with a powerful keynote delivered by nationally recognized speaker Joshua Peach. His message focused on the power of gratitude, resilience, action, consistency, and empowerment. Drawing from real-life experiences, Peach encouraged attendees to recognize their critical impact on the people and environments they serve every day.

“Your work creates a foundation for learning, safety, and community,” Peach said. “When you approach every task with pride and purpose, you create a ripple effect that touches everyone who walks through your doors.”

Diverse Breakout Sessions

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in a wide variety of breakout sessions tailored to their unique roles and responsibilities. Some of the most popular sessions included:

• Support Staff – A Foundation of Safety
  Highlighting custodial staff’s critical role in maintaining safe environments for students and staff.

• Being a Great Teammate
  Offering tools for improving communication, collaboration, and building strong, supportive teams.

• Student Interaction
  Sharing best practices for positive, professional interactions with students that contribute to a supportive school culture.

• Customer Service
  Focusing on service excellence and strategies to handle daily interactions with positivity and professionalism.

• Forward Thinking and Preventative Maintenance
  Teaching proactive maintenance planning to prevent costly repairs and ensure long-term facility health.

• Risk Management
  Providing guidance on identifying and mitigating potential safety hazards to protect both staff and students.

A Growing Tradition of Professional Pride

Now in its third year, the OSC Custodian Maintenance Leadership Conference has quickly become a cornerstone event for custodial and maintenance professionals looking to grow their skills, leadership capacity, and sense of community.

Throughout the conference, the energy was palpable as attendees connected with peers, shared experiences, and renewed their commitment to excellence. One participant captured the spirit of the day perfectly:
“We’re not just cleaning — we’re caring for people. This conference reinforces how important our work really is.”

As the 3rd-annual conference concluded, many left already looking forward to next year, carrying with them new ideas, renewed pride, and a deeper sense of purpose in their essential roles.