Pennsylvania Convention Center Achieves GBAC STAR Reaccreditation

Recognized as the gold standard of safe venues, the reaccreditation verifies that the Center continues to evolve, improve and advance with the performance-based GBAC STAR program elements for infectious disease prevention.

Philadelphia, PA – The Pennsylvania Convention Center announced today that it has received its Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR reaccreditation, following a comprehensive evaluation process of its cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention protocols over the past year.

The annual GBAC STAR reaccreditation process focused on the Center’s program development, through a cycle of continuous evaluation and improvement, to ensure the facility remains effective at maintaining and delivering a program that supports a clean, safe and healthy environment for workers and guests.

“The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority is proud to have earned the GBAC STAR reaccreditation. Receiving this reaffirms the Center’s commitment to the health, safety and security of all who enter the facility,” said Gregory J. Fox, Esq. Chairman of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.  

As an ASM Global managed facility, the Pennsylvania Convention Center developed its Reopening Operating Framework during the pandemic based on the principles and protocols included in ASM Global’s VenueShield program, a best-in-class program developed in partnership with leading professionals, industry experts, and public health officials in response to the pandemic. That framework, coupled with the Center’s investment in environmental hygiene technologies, led to the facility receiving the GBAC STAR reaccreditation.

In the past year, since receiving its initial accreditation, the Pennsylvania Convention Center continued with significant capital investments following the guidance from the CDC, public health officials and ASM Global’s VenueShield program. These included the installation of advanced air purification technology in 40 air handling units, more phases of touchless restroom renovations, the purchase of additional scrubber, vacuum and electrostatic sprayer equipment, and the implementation of enhanced sanitization and health and safety protocols. In addition, the Center implemented a vaccination policy for its workforce, requiring all staff to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021.

“As a state-of-the-art facility, we have gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of our guests and staff, while maintaining the highest levels of customer service in a hospitable environment,” said John J. McNichol, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “By aligning the GBAC Star Accreditation Program with our facility’s procedures and protocols, we have been able to position ourselves as a strategic partner in the fight against COVID-19.”

“From an operations perspective, each of the Center’s departments consistently evaluates the protocols and procedures that are in place, against the 20 elements within the GBAC STAR accreditation, to enable us to achieve the highest possible standards for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention in the industry,” said Kelvin D. Moore, Regional General Manager, ASM Global. “Our continued commitment to the health and safety of our guests has bolstered meeting planners’ confidence in our ability to safely host in-person events, facilitating a steady return of events to the facility.”

Over the past few months, the Pennsylvania Convention Center has successfully and safely hosted several major events, including one of its largest trade shows since the pandemic, Natural Products Expo East, with over 15,000 attendees in attendance.  

For more information on the Pennsylvania Convention Center, visit paconvention.com.

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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. Managed by ASM Global, the Center is the 14th largest facility in the nation and features one of the largest exhibit space and ballroom in the Northeastern U.S. The meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events hosted by the Center attract attendees from across the country and around the world to Philadelphia, making the facility the largest economic driver of the region’s hospitality industry. For more information, visit www.paconvention.com.

About ASM Global

ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues.

For more information, please visit https://www.asmglobal.com/

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 CouncilTM (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 and service accreditation programs, 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 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 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.