By R.V. Baugus and ISSA
From airports to convention centers to hotels to arenas, nearly 350 facilities around the world have completed the annual reaccreditation process for GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation. The accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, gives 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. “We look forward to earning reaccreditation 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 reaccreditation. 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.
“Renewing the Edmonton EXPO Centre’s GBAC Star Facility Accreditation was a no-brainer for us,” said Olaf Miede, general manager, Edmonton EXPO Centre. “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 facilities to earn GBAC STAR reaccreditation include:
Convention Centers
Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.
ASM Global Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nev.
Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J.
Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas
Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.
Edmonton Convention Centre in Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton EXPO Centre in Edmonton, Alberta
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, Texas
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, Fla.
Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah
Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, Calif.
Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Calif.
Renasant Convention Center/Cannon Center in Memphis, Tenn.
San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif.
The Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City
Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto
Stadiums or Arenas
American Airlines Center in Dallas
Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.
Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta
Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles
Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.
Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif.
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
Lincoln Financial Field, Home of Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia
Palmer Event Center in Austin, Texas
TCU Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Forum/Forum Entertainment in Inglewood, Calif.
The HEAT Group-FTX Arena in Miami
Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City
Theatre or Performing Arts Center
Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte, N.C.
California Theatre in San Jose, Calif.
Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose, Calif.
Montgomery Theater in San Jose, Calif.
San Jose Civic in San Jose, Calif.
Learn more and apply for GBAC STAR Accreditation at gbac.org/star.
