By ISSA and R.V. Baugus
More than 140 facilities are closing 2020 with an impressive new accreditation. Sonoma Country Day School in Santa Rosa, Calif. and athletic club F45 Training the Grove at Wesley Chapel in Wesley Chapel, Fla., are among the first of their kind to achieve GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), a Division of ISSA. Two healthcare facilities; Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, home to the NBA’s Utah Jazz; three convention centers; and more than 100 hotels worldwide have also recently completed the GBAC STAR accreditation process, the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities.
“This year has presented many challenges for organizations as they try to navigate a global pandemic,” said GBAC 
Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “The demand for GBAC STAR accreditation continues to increase as facilities seek guidance and a formalized approach to cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention in order to uphold health and safety.”
GBAC STAR accredited facilities follow the proper protocols for cleaning and disinfection, implement thorough training for chemicals, equipment, and procedures, and have knowledge of how germs live on high-touch surfaces. Launched in May 2020, the program has attracted commitments from more than 3,500 facilities in 81 countries this year, with more than 700 already accredited. Consumers can easily locate accredited facilities around the world via the GBAC STAR Facility Directory.
The latest Arenas and Convention Centers to achieve GBAC STAR accreditation are:
Arenas
Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, home to the NBA’s Utah Jazz
Convention Centers
Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J.
Boise Centre in Boise, Idaho
Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Calif.
“GBAC STAR accreditation validates that facilities have the right cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention strategies in place to combat today’s and tomorrow’s disease risks,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “We are excited to accredit the first K-12 school, athletic club and healthcare facilities, and look forward to seeing many other types of facilities pursue and achieve GBAC STAR accreditation in 2021.”
Learn more about GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation at gbac.org/star.
