CRVA Pursuing Cleanliness Accreditation for Charlotte Convention Center
The 20-element GBAC STAR program teaches the proper protocols, correct disinfection techniques, and cleaning best practices for biohazard situations like COVID-19
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 23, 2020) – The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) is pursuing the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation for its managed venues: the Charlotte Convention Center, NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Bojangles Entertainment Complex and the Spectrum Center. The CRVA is also partnering with and supporting Convention District hotels looking to pursue the designation for their facilities.
“The effects of COVID-19 continue to resonate through Charlotte’s community and, more specifically, our tourism industry, which is the region's fourth largest employer and responsible for attracting and hosting approximately 29.2 million visitors annually,” said Tom Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the CRVA. “The leisure and hospitality sector is a vital and irreplaceable component of our region’s economic engine, and earning our GBAC accreditation is one of the many steps we are taking to restore the vibrancy of the $7.4 billion visitor economy and help people get back to work."
The accreditation is a new certificate program from GBAC, a division of the worldwide cleaning industry association ISSA, which establishes requirements to assist facilities with work practices, protocols, procedures, and systems to control risks associated with infectious agents, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The program also establishes a framework for communication and awareness best practices. The GBAC STAR accredidation is being adopted by high-profile facilities and organizations in 30 countries around the world.
The GBAC STAR designation, which the CRVA aims to complete this summer, complements the organization’s existing initiatives to prepare for the return of guests and visitors to the city. The CRVA has created and rolled out their “We Clean with Care” program in all managed venues. The program was created using the guidance of the CDC, FDA and consultations with a contracted infection disease control expert. The CRVA is also supporting “Count on Me CLT” – a localized version of the statewide “Count on Me NC” campaign – to encourage the safe health practices as outlined by public health experts. Count on Me NC was created to educate and train restaurants and other businesses on best health and safety practices amidst COVID-19.
“As we look to reopen our doors to visitors and continue conversations with meetings and event planners, our top priority is instilling a sense of confidence in our safety protocols,” said Mike Butts, Executive Director of Visit Charlotte. “We are seeking the GBAC STAR in conjunction with our “We Clean with Care” and “Count on Me CLT” programs to ensure that, when the time is right, our meeting planners and their attendees can enjoy our city and our venues with confidence.”
For more information about the CRVA, its venues and its cleaning initiatives, click here.
About the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles’ Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Regional Film Commission and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand. For more information, visit charlottesgotalot.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 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. For more information, visit www.gbac.org.
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