Buffalo Niagara Convention Center Receives GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation
Recognition for implementation of stringent cleaning protocols and best practices for disinfection and infectious disease prevention
The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center has announced that it has achieved 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, the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention in its facility.
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 that the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center implements best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.
“GBAC STAR accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “By taking this important step to pursue GBAC STAR, the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center has received third-party validation that it follows strict protocols for biorisk situations, thereby demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to operating safely.”
“We’re extremely proud to have achieved this designation,” said Paul Murphy, General Manager of the BNCC. “Our team has always aspired to the highest standards of health and safety for our customers so it’s very gratifying to receive this internationally-recognized seal of approval for our efforts.”
“We want our clients and prospective clients to know they can book Buffalo with confidence,” said Patrick Kaler, President and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara. “The health and well-being of our customers is our paramount concern and the GBAC accreditation is validation of how seriously we take this responsibility.”
To achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation, the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center was 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. Learn more about GBAC STAR accreditation at www.gbac.org.
About the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is a multi-purpose facility that presents a balanced schedule of conventions, trade show, consumer shows, festivals, weddings, special events and meetings. The BNCC is the premier meeting and exhibit facility in Western New York and can accommodate small, intimate gatherings of ten or large gatherings of up to 7,000. The Center has over 110,000 square feet of flexible meeting/exhibit space.
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. 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. www.issa.com
