Pennsylvania Convention Center Pursues Global Bio-Advisory Council Accreditation
The Center Continues Its Commitment to Re-opening Safely with Technology Enhancements and VenueShield Program
Philadelphia, PA – As the facility prepares for an eventual reopening and looks forward to welcoming guests back in the era of COVID-19, the Pennsylvania Convention Center announced that it applied for the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation on outbreak prevention, response and recovery.
“We view the GBAC STAR accreditation as an integral part of our re-activation plan to welcome guests back at the appropriate juncture. We continue to be in close contact with state and local health officials to inform all of our future plans for reopening, but know that the GBAC accreditation is an important next step,” said Greg Fox, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA).
A division of the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), the GBAC STAR is a widely accepted industry standard focused on ensuring a clean, safe and healthy environment.
The program establishes best practices, protocols and procedures to control the spread of infectious agents such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Specifically, the Pennsylvania Convention Center will complete the twenty program elements according to specific performance and guidance criteria. The comprehensive program includes:
- Establish and maintain a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention program to control and/or minimize risk associated with infectious agents for employees, guests, the community and the environment.
- Provide assurance and establish confidence that proper cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention work practices are in place and implemented.
- Establish a framework for communication and raising awareness of best practices, as they relate to cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention.
“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, Executive Director, Global Biorisk Advisory Council. “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 accreditation is part of the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s overall re-activation operating framework In addition to the GBAC STAR accreditation, the PCCA’s Board of Directors approved investing in new technologies, such as escalator handrail sterilization system that will utilize UV-C wavelength LED light to kill bacteria and viruses. It is also upgrading the air handling units with a bi-polar ionization technology to enhance our indoor air quality to provide a clean, fresh, and healthy environment,” said John J. McNichol, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is also fortunate that it is part of the family of venues managed by ASM Global, one of the nation’s premier facility management firms. When the facility reopens, it will have achieved ASM Global’s VenueShield designation, a new environmental hygiene protocol. This best-in-class program was developed in partnership with leading medical professionals, industry experts, and public health officials in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “We believe it will inspire customer confidence that the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority and ASM Global are providing the highest levels of cleanliness and safety,” said Kelvin D. Moore, Regional General Manager for the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
For the latest news about the Pennsylvania Convention Center, visit paconvention.com.
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About GBAC, a Division of ISSA
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response, and recovery, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance, and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address, and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The organization’s services include biorisk management program assessment and training, Forensic Restoration® response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation program, training and certification of individuals, and consulting for building owners and facility managers. For more information, visit www.gbac.org.
About ISSA
With more than 9,300 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982- 0800.
About the Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is located in Center City Philadelphia at the heart of the city's many cultural offerings and world-class dining and entertainment scene. Now managed by ASM Global, the Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features the largest exhibit space and ballroom in the Northeastern U.S. For more information, visit www.paconvention.com.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.