While the tradeshow and events industry continues to reel from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is relief in sight for facilities looking to reassure meeting professionals and attendees about safety and sanitation concerns – the GBAC STAR.
The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, features its STAR facility accreditation program focused on cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention to control risks that include the virus that causes COVID-19.
The most recent facility to secure the GBAC STAR accreditation is the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
“Events DC is proud to announce that we are the first convention center in the northeast corridor to earn the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s GBAC STAR facility accreditation. It is critical for us to showcase to our customers our ongoing dedication to safety protocols and cleaning procedures that will continue to instill trust and confidence as they look to book and reschedule their events at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC, in a statement.
To earn this accreditation, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center successfully completed 20 program elements with specific performance and guidance criteria met. The GBAC STAR accreditation provides third-party validation that facilities are implementing thorough cleaning and disinfection programs.
Other GBAC STAR Facilities
The Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta became the first convention center in the country to complete the GBAC STAR program, with four additional convention centers achieving this critical GBAC STAR Accreditation thereafter. The Anaheim Convention Center, in Orange County, became the first West Coast convention facility to gain accreditation, while the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans; the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando; and the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan. have also successfully completed the program.
Jay Burress, president & CEO, Visit Anaheim, surely speaks for many of his industry colleagues: “Our team along with the convention center are not only ready for the day we are able to safely reopen by taking proactive steps like securing the GBAC STAR, we are also preparing for future years by continuing to sell and book events in our city as far out as 2028.”
Companies that include Hyatt Hotels Corp., McCormick Place, the Las Vegas Convention Center, and Hard Rock Stadium (home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins) are among the many organizations and venues that have registered for GBAC STAR accreditation.
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