The Vendor Check-In: Are Your Vendors Helping You Thrive?


Talk to Your Team and Consider:

  • Are your vendors helping or hurting your operations?
  • Are your vendors making your work easier or harder?
  • Are they adding value?
  • Are they a true long-term partner?

Are Your Vendors Helping or Hurting Your Business? Are They Adding Value?


Think about the last time a vendor saved the day—or ruined it. Maybe your supplier delivered ahead of schedule, preventing a major headache. Or perhaps a service provider missed a deadline, causing delays and frustration.


From suppliers and service providers to marketing agencies, accountants, and banks, vendors play a crucial role in keeping your business running smoothly. They’re not just external partners—they’re an extension of your team, bringing expertise, resources, and solutions that help your business grow.


A great vendor is a true partner—reliable, proactive, and invested in your success. An average vendor does the job but adds little extra value. A bad vendor? They create stress, inefficiencies, and problems that hold you back. It’s well worth your time to evaluate your vendor relationships and ensure they’re working for you—not against you.


Are Your Vendors Making Your Work Easier or Harder?


How do you assess whether your vendors are truly adding value? Start by asking:

  • Do they consistently meet deadlines and quality standards?
  • Are they responsive and easy to work with?
  • Do they proactively offer solutions or just the bare minimum?
  • Do they create unnecessary work or stress for you or your team?


It is important to gather feedback from your team about their interactions with your vendors. The right ones make their jobs easier.  The wrong ones drain their time and energy.


If a vendor isn’t meeting expectations, it is time to have a conversation, renegotiate terms, or find a better partner. Your business deserves vendors who actively contribute to your success—anything less is a liability.


The Long-Term Value of Strong Vendor Relationships


The benefits of strong, long-term relationships with your vendors can extend way beyond reliable service. Loyalty and consistency can also lead to better pricing and preferential treatment—your vendors are more likely to go the extra mile for a trusted partner. Plus, as they gain a deeper understanding of your business they can offer tailored solutions, anticipate your needs, and contribute to strategic growth.

A great vendor isn’t just a service provider; they are a strategic ally, contributing to your ongoing success and resilience in a competitive market. 


Make Time for a Vendor Check-In


Carve out some time to assess your vendor relationships. Are they helping or hurting your business? Talk to your team, gather feedback, and identify opportunities for improvement. 


If a vendor is truly a partner, then invest time in strengthening that relationship. But if a vendor is holding you back, it is time to explore better options. Your business deserves the best support—make sure your vendors are delivering it. Future you will thank you!

IAQA and Particles Plus Expand Strategic Partnership Through New Eight-Year Extension

By Sarah Fanger • July 22, 2026
The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) is pleased to announce an eight-year extension of its sponsorship agreement with Particles Plus, building on the second year of the parties’ original two-year agreement. With this extension, Particles Plus will continue as IAQA’s exclusive Diamond Sponsor, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the association’s mission, initiatives, and long-term growth. In addition to its financial support, Particles Plus will provide strategic services and advisory guidance to assist IAQA as it strengthens programs, expands industry engagement, and advances its service to members and the broader indoor air quality community. “Particles Plus has already proven to be a valued partner to IAQA, and this extension reflects both the strength of our relationship and our shared confidence in the future,” said Stanley Yeskolski, President of IAQA. “As Diamond Sponsor, their continued support, strategic services, and advice will help IAQA grow, better serve our members, and further our mission across the indoor air quality industry.” “IAQA plays an essential role in supporting professionals who work every day to improve indoor environments,” said Adam Giandomenico, CEO of Particles Plus. “We are proud to extend this partnership for eight more years and to support IAQA not only through sponsorship, but also through strategic collaboration that helps the association strengthen its programs and expand its impact.” This renewed agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing indoor air quality knowledge, supporting practitioners, and promoting healthier indoor environments through collaboration, education, and industry leadership. The original commitment began in 2025 and now will continue through 2035. 
Wildfire Smoke and Respiratory Protection

Wildfire Smoke and Respiratory Protection: Why N95 and KN95 Respirators Work Better Than Surgical Masks

July 18, 2026
Wildfire Smoke and Respiratory Protection: Choosing the Right Mask Wildfire smoke can affect communities located far beyond the fire itself. Wind can carry smoke across cities, states, and even national borders, as is happening currently across the Great Lakes and Northeastern US due to Canadian wildfires. The result is poor to hazardous air quality both outdoors and inside buildings. One of the main concerns in wildfire smoke is PM2.5. These particles are extremely small and can travel deep into the respiratory system. Exposure may irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. It can also worsen asthma, heart disease, and other existing health conditions. When outdoor air quality becomes unhealthy, reducing exposure should be the first priority. Staying indoors, keeping windows closed, using effective air filtration, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity can all help. When going outside is necessary, wearing the right respiratory protection is important.

Wildfire Smoke Doesn't Stop at Your Front Door

July 17, 2026
When wildfire smoke rolls in, most people think about it as an outdoor problem: hazy skies, stinging eyes, the advice to stay inside. But "inside" isn't automatically safe. Smoke particles are small enough to slip through open windows and doors, gaps around trim and outlets, HVAC intakes, and even tiny leaks in the building envelope itself. Once they're in, they don't just disappear — they settle into carpets, upholstery, and ductwork, and keep affecting air quality long after the skies clear outside. Why Indoor Air Takes the Hit Too Wildfire smoke is loaded with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — particles so small they bypass your body's natural filters and reach deep into the lungs. Unlike larger dust or pollen, these particles move easily through the small openings that exist in almost every building, including: Open or poorly sealed windows and doors Gaps around pipes, vents, and electrical penetrations HVAC systems pulling in outdoor air Cracks in the building envelope (siding, roofline, foundation) Without preparation, indoor PM2.5 levels can climb close to outdoor levels within hours of a smoke event starting. Preparing Before Smoke Arrives The best defense is proactive, not reactive. A few key steps make a real difference: 1. Seal the gaps. Weatherstripping, door sweeps, and caulking around penetrations reduce how much smoke can infiltrate. 2. Upgrade HVAC filtration. Use the highest MERV rated filter that your system is rated for; check with your HVAC company if you aren’t certain. A MERV 13 or higher filter (where the system allows) captures significantly more fine particulate than standard filters. 3. Have a portable air cleaner ready. HEPA-based units with adequate CADR(Clean Air Delivery Rate) ratings for the room size can be a fast, effective backstop, especially in bedrooms or common living areas. 4. Set HVAC systems to recirculate. Switching off fresh-air intake during active smoke events keeps outdoor smoke from being pulled directly inside. 5. Know your air quality resources. Track local AQI before smoke hits so you can act early instead of waiting until conditions are already unhealthy. The Takeaway Wildfire season is as much an indoor air quality issue as an outdoor one. Buildings are more porous than they look, and smoke will find its way in through the paths of least resistance. Preparing ahead of time — sealing gaps, upgrading filtration, and having a response plan — is what separates a minor inconvenience from a real health risk indoors.  Want more practical guidance on protecting indoor air during wildfire season? Explore IAQA's resources and connect with certified indoor air quality professionals at iaqa.org .