San Jose Convention Center & San Jose Theaters Are First In Northern California To Receive GBAC Accreditation
July 24, 2020
San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the collection of San Jose Theaters has announced that they have received the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR™ facility accreditation.
This announcement makes the San Jose McEnery Convention Center the first convention center in Northern California to be industry-accredited in outbreak and infectious diseases preparation and response. Simultaneously, the four venues that make up the San Jose Theaters lead the way in being the first GBAC STAR accredited performing arts venues on the west coast and among the first in the entire country.
GBAC is a division of ISSA, the leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide. GBAC STAR is the industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation. GBAC STAR establishes protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training and assesses a facility’s preparedness for biorisk situations. Every venue that receives the accreditation is vetted by GBAC as meeting all requirements for a safe, preventative, and responsive meetings facility.
The San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the four venues in the San Jose Theaters collections, both divisions of economic development organization Team San Jose, are now fully accredited in the 20 GBAC STAR Program Elements performance-based accreditation. Team San Jose staff have implemented the industry’s highest standards for cleaning and disinfection of infectious agents aiming to:
1. Establish and maintain a cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program to control and/or minimize risk associated with infectious agents such as SARS-CoV-2 for employees, customers, clients, visitors, the community and the environment.
2. Provide assurance to guests and establish confidence that proper cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention work practices are in place and implemented.
3. Establish a framework for communication and raising awareness of best practices as they relate to cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention.
“We are proud to lead the way for other Bay Area convention centers and U.S. theater venues to obtain GBAC STAR accreditation,” states John LaFortune, COO of Team San Jose. “Our expert staff at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the San Jose Theaters have proactively dedicated themselves to the highest level of venue management and event operations you come to expect from being a meetings destination leader. We are proud of our GBAC partnership to incorporate its industry-leading system of cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention for all guests and employees of Team San Jose. We are ready to welcome guests back safely.”
“San Jose is the top meeting destination in Silicon Valley, and the top tech meeting destination in the world. The GBAC STAR accreditation ensures meeting planners and attendees will experience the most comprehensive and innovative solutions to providing a healthy space – and greater peace of mind,” says Matthew Martinucci, VP of Sales and Destination Services for Visit San Jose.
“This will provide another level of customer care in the San Jose Theater experience, for patrons, performers, and show organizers,” says John Ciulla, GM of the San Jose Theaters. The San Jose Theaters include the Montgomery Theater, San Jose Civic, California Theatre, and the Center for the Performing Arts.
“We commend the Team San Jose facilities for their GBAC STAR accreditation and their commitment to ensuring clean, safe and healthy venues for visitors and residents alike,” states GBAC Executive Director Patty Olinger. “Team San Jose’s proactive efforts to achieve GBAC STAR accreditation at both the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the San Jose Theaters establish a new industry precedent for all Silicon Valley and Bay Area events.”