First Facilities, Cities to Earn GBAC STAR Accreditation This Month
June 26, 2020
The first facilities to earn the new GBAC STAR accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a division of ISSA—The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, are scheduled to be announced by the end of June. To achieve accreditation, applicants must demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 elements covering cleaning, disinfecting and infectious disease prevention.
In less than two months after the launch of the GBAC STAR program on May 7, thousands of facilities committed to the program — from large hotel chains, convention centers and arenas to small restaurants, bowling alleys and barber shops.
“I love that this first batch of successful applicants includes both a gigantic convention center and a tiny restaurant,” says John Barrett, executive director of ISSA. He added that the program, which grew out of a partnership with GBAC that was only made official last year, has grown bigger and faster than ISSA could ever have imagined.
To respond to the initial demand for training to help minimize the risk of infectious agents, GBAC took a program they had created that usually runs three days and costs $3,000 and turned it into a 2.5-hour online curriculum that costs $150 for ISSA members and $300 for non-members.
More than 17,000 organizations took that initial course, but then ISSA started hearing that people wanted more: They wanted facility certification — which is how GBAC STAR was created.
“GBAC STAR is the gold standard of safe facilities, providing third-party validation that ensures facilities implement strict protocols for biorisk situations,” said Patricia Olinger, GBAC’s executive director. “Accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to deliver clean and healthy environments that are safe for business.”
The GBAC STAR program is designed to take between 4-6 weeks, which is why the first facilities that applied are just now starting to achieve accreditation. “It was designed for speed,” says Barrett. “That’s what people need to be able to open.”
Although the program was created for facilities, ISSA has also received applications from cities. “We never dreamed that cities would want to be certified,” said Barrett. “But we had 15 cities ask, and we said OK. We love the idea that we can help a city open up again.”
Among the cities seeking accreditation is Dallas. Their application not only includes VisitDallas and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center but also the Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District and the city’s arts and cultural institutions.
The cost of accreditation varies according to the type of building, with the prices posted on GBAC’s website. Examples include hotels, which cost $3/room/year; restaurants at $5/seat/year; and arenas at $.30/seat/year.
“We have moved from a world where cleaning meant pretty and nice-smelling to a world where you have to prove you’ve removed harmful pathogens,” says Barrett. “When you’ve done that, you will be awarded the GBAC STAR.”
For more information on GBAC STAR accreditation, click here.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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