The Las Vegas Convention Center is pursuing a new accreditation designed to control the risks associated with infectious diseases, including the virus responsible for Covid-19.
The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of the International Sanitary Supply Association, a trade association for the cleaning industry, introduced the GBAC STAR facility accreditation program on May 7. It is the industry's only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation.
The Las Vegas Convention Center will be one of the nation's first convention centers to participate in the program, which will train employees on best work practices, protocols, procedures and systems for biorisk prevention and containment.
"Demonstrating compliance will be an important step toward showing the world that Vegas means business, and when the time is right, the Las Vegas Convention Center stands ready to welcome our business travelers back," said Brian Yost, COO for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
To achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, facilities must comply with 20 elements, which include standard operating procedures; risk assessment strategies; personal protective equipment; and emergency preparedness and response measures.
"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, GBAC executive director. "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."
Construction of the $980 million, 1.4 million-square-foot West Hall expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center continues. It is expected to be ready for CES 2021.