Whether you’re attending a convention in Hawaii, staying at a hotel in Italy, watching a basketball game in Kentucky or visiting a museum in Pennsylvania, there’s one common denominator at each facility: GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation. The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, recently welcomed 44 newly accredited facilities around the world, including the Hawaii Convention Center; Concordia University, EV Building in Montreal; Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.; Royal Hotel Sanremo in Sanremo, Italy; Owensboro Sportscenter in Owensboro, Ky.; Pittsburgh Symphony Inc. in Pittsburgh; and George Washington Bridge Bus Station in New York. 

“As living with the risk of COVID-19 becomes our new normal, more people are learning to navigate attending conferences, visiting hotels and casinos, watching live sporting events, and more,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “Facilities need to know how to protect building occupants, which is why so many, from convention centers to museums to restaurants to performing arts centers, are finding value in achieving GBAC STAR accreditation.”

The recently accredited Mohegan Sun Casino is one of the leading destinations in New England. The complex is home to more than 300,000 square feet of gaming; two luxury hotel towers; world-class spas; over 45 restaurants, bars, and lounges; and more. Its three entertainment venues host live concerts and the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun.

Facilities of all types and sizes are eligible for GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation, which goes beyond a focus on just cleaning and disinfection to also include infection prevention. The performance-based accreditation program ensures organizations understand best practices for outbreak prevention, response, and recovery.

The following facilities are now GBAC STAR accredited: 

Commercial Offices

• 888 Prospect LJ, LLC in La Jolla, Calif. 
• Total Cleaning in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Convention Centers

• Akasaka Intercity Conference in Tokyo 
• Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu 
• agawa International Conference Hall in Takamatsu, Japan
• Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, Ky. 
• Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioi Conference in Tokyo

Government Facility 

• Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in Atlanta

Hotels

• 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai, Thailand 
• Alila Hinu Bay Oman in Dhofar, Oman
• Best Western Palm Beach Lakes in West Palm Beach, Fla.
• BLESS Hotel Madrid in Madrid
• Canopy by Hilton Dallas Frisco Station in Frisco, Texas 
• Courtyard by Marriott Delray Beach in Delray Beach, Fla. 
• Grand Hotel et de Milan-Vega SPA in Milan
• Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham West Palm Beach in West Palm Beach, Fla.
• Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre Hotel in Dallas 
• Hotel Casa Fuster, S.L.U. in Barcelona, Spain 
• Hyatt Place Austin/Lake Travis/Four Points in Austin, Texas 
• Royal Hotel Sanremo in Sanremo, Italy
• Susafa in Sicily, Italy
• Thompson Denver in Denver 
• Thompson San Antonio in San Antonio

Museum or Cultural Venue

• Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.

Restaurant or Food Service Facility

• Fishnet Baltimore LLC in Baltimore 

Salon or Spa

• Oliver's Hair Salon in Overland Park, Kan. 

Colleges or Universities

• Concordia University, EV Building in Montreal 
• HCC Coleman Health Science Center in Houston 
• HCC Coleman Tower in Houston

Stadiums or Arenas 

• Owensboro Sportscenter in Owensboro, Ky. 
• The Ranch/First National Bank Building in Loveland, Colo. 
• The Ranch/Mac East Livestock Pavilion in Loveland, Colo. 
• The Ranch/Mac Equipment Arena in Loveland, Colo. 
• The Ranch/Mac West Livestock Pavilion in Loveland, Colo.
• The Ranch/Mckee Building in Loveland, Colo.

Theaters or Performing Arts Centers

• Altria Theater in Richmond, Va.
• Capital One Hall in Tysons, Va. 
• Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, Calif. 
• Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Ind. 
• National Constitution Center in Philadelphia 
• Pittsburgh Symphony Inc. in Pittsburgh 
• The Carolina Theatre of Durham in Durham, N.C.

Transportation Providers 

• George Washington Bridge Bus Station in New York
• Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York

“Consistent training and preparation are key to every cleaning and disinfection program,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “Facilities that embark on the journey to accreditation appreciate that the process helps their cleaning personnel successfully carry out their responsibilities every day.” 
 
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response, and recovery, GBAC 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, infectious disease and biological material response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ Facility and Service Accreditation Programs, training and certification of individuals, and consulting for building owners and facility managers. 

With more than 10,500 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 touts its commitment 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 Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China.