IAEE Teams Up With ISSA to Provide GBAC-Trained Technician Certification

August 20, 2020
TSNN News

To help exhibitions and events professionals return to the face-to-face business environment safely and effectively, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events has partnered with global cleaning industry association ISSA on a Global Biorisk Advisory Council technician training course. Designed to teach participants how to prepare for, respond to and recover from biohazards in the workplace, the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course: Cleaning & Disinfection Principles teaches the principles behind infection and contamination control measures for infectious disease outbreak situations such as COVID-19. 

Running 2-3 hours, the course covers the following topics: 

  • Preventative, response, infection control and contamination control measures to known or potential infectious disease outbreak situations, including emphasis on the novel coronavirus
  • Importance of proper cleaning and disinfection for health
  • GBAC protocol for response and remediation
  • Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), tools and equipment
  • Cleaners and disinfectants based on the EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance in the U.S.
  • How international professionals can find information specific to their own countries

After successfully completing the course within 30 days, participants will receive a certificate of completion from GBAC, after which they can use the term “GBAC-Trained Technician” to distinguish themselves professionally. 

“IAEE is deeply committed to helping show organizers, exhibitors and attendees feel safe at the in-person exhibitions and events that are so essential to the global marketplace,” said IAEE president and CEO David DuBois. “Partnerships such as this allow us to fulfill our objectives in developing tools and resources for members of the industry to confidently manage the obstacles we are currently facing.”

The GBAC Fundamentals Online Course is offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese and Polish. Through the IAEE Referral Program, the cost for both IAEE members and non-members is $150. To learn more and enroll, go here.

Another Industry Safety Partnership

The GBAC certification course comes as some event companies are partnering with health and safety consultants to help clients prepare to restart their events. For example, The Expo Group recently partnered with public health expert Lauren Sauer to assist event organizers with the decision-making process surrounding the health and safety of face-to-face gatherings.

As the director of operations for the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response and assistant professor of emergency medicine in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Sauer has been working in the field of disaster and public health emergency research and response for almost two decades.

According to The Expo Group officials, Sauer’s research focus and understanding of public health protocols, decision-making around risk mitigation and interpretation of scientific guidelines make her an ideal resource as organizations seek to bring people together smartly and safely. 

“The need for a strong, science-backed understanding of the public health issues surrounding gatherings led us to provide this resource to our clients,” said Randy Pekowski, president and COO of The Expo Group. “Guidelines are not beneficial without a real understanding of the latest medical findings and risk mitigation.”

 

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