Nearly 350 facilities around the world, including airports, convention centers, hotels and arenas, have completed the annual re-accreditation process for GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation. The accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, is said to give employees and visitors of these environments reassurance that the facility has the proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, and work practices in place to combat biohazards and infectious diseases.
“Third-party validation of our cleaning, disinfection and infection prevention procedures gives our cleaning professionals, event hosts and attendees confidence that the arena is taking the necessary steps to ensure safe and fun gatherings,” said Ignacio Guerra, senior vice president operations and engineering, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, in a press release. “We look forward to earning re-accreditation for many years to come.”
“Our customers have many options when choosing a venue to host their event,” said Emma Pietroleonardo, general manager, Edmonton Convention Centre. “Renewing our GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation sets us apart, and in turn helps our customers assure their attendees that their event meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.”
Facilities of all types and sizes are eligible to participate in the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation program and are encouraged to pursue annual re-accreditation. The Accreditation Council reviews applications to ensure they align with the 20 GBAC STAR Program Elements, which each have specific performance and guidance criteria. Accredited facilities can then display the GBAC STAR seal to communicate their commitment to cleaning for health and infection prevention readiness.
“Our continuing commitment to employee and passenger safety is reinforced by the GBAC STAR re-accreditation,” said Tom Draper, interim chief executive office, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, in a press note. “As travel activity at Orlando International Airport returns to its robust pre-pandemic levels, it is imperative that we make every effort to maintain customer confidence.”
“Renewing the Edmonton EXPO Centre’s GBAC Star Facility Accreditation was a no-brainer for us,” said Olaf Miede, general manager, Edmonton EXPO Centre, in a press announcement. “Having safely welcomed over 158,000 attendees in 2021 guided by our Healthy Venues Plan, we’re continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our guests, clients, and employees.”
The latest airports to earn GBAC STAR re-accreditation include Aeroports de Montreal in Dorval, Quebec; Albany International Airport in Albany, NY; Columbia Metropolitan Airport in West Columbia, SC; Dallas Love Field Airport in Dallas; Eugene Airport in Eugene, OR.; Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Saint Paul, MN.; Orlando International Airport in Orlando, FL; Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, FL and Tucson Airport Authority in Tucson, AZ.
The convention centers to receive the GBAC STAR re-accreditation include Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA; ASM Global Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, NV; Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ; Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX; Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in Buffalo, NY; Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC; Edmonton Convention Centre in Edmonton, Alberta; Edmonton EXPO Centre in Edmonton; Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans; Grand Hyatt Kochi-A Unit of Lulu Convention and Exhibition in Kochi, India; Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA; Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX; Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, MO; Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas in Dallas; McCormick Place Chicago in Chicago; Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, FL; Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, UT; Music City Center in Nashville, TN; Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.; Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, CA.; Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA.; Renasant Convention Center/Cannon Center in Memphis, TN; San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA; The Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City and Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto.
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