LAKELAND, Fla/AUSTIN, Tex. – The RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Fla., and the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Tex., are two of the latest facilities to achieve Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities.
Under the guidance of GBAC, a division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, both venues have implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention.
As the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training, and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations. The program verifies both venues have implemented best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.
Early in the pandemic, the RP Funding Center/City of Lakeland and Visit Central Florida/Polk County placed a priority on working together to plan and execute safe conferences, sports competitions, and consumer exhibitions in Polk County. A key component to the safe return of larger meetings and events was the attainment of the GBAC certification.
“As we move into a post COVID-19 world, we feel our GBAC certification is our commitment to providing a safe environment to all of our guests at the RP Funding Center,” stated Tony Camarillo, RP Funding Center executive director.
“I’m proud of our Palmer Events Center staff for taking all changes this year in stride. They welcomed the new safety measures and implementations to ensure a clean and safe environment for all workers and guests,” said Taje Allen, Austin Convention Center Department interim facilities manager. “We are excited about the new equipment that will assist us with infectious disease prevention and disinfection.”
To achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, facilities are required to demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures.
