Albany Capital Center Takes Step to Maximize Indoor Air Quality

The Albany Capital Center

The Albany Capital Center (ACC) announced on May 19 plans to install Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization Technology as a proactive initiative to continue providing the highest quality attendee experience. Approved by Albany Convention Center Authority (ACCA), this new system will actively and continuously purify indoor air quality reducing airborne and surface contaminants, pollutants and viruses such as COVID-19.

The Bipolar Ionization technology, designed by CHA Consulting, Inc., offers a comprehensive indoor air quality solution. While the ACC has remained open throughout the pandemic and has already installed a more restrictive filter (MERV-13) per the NYS Public Health Guidelines issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, the facility is committed to minimizing the risk of coronavirus transmissions and strives to bring confidence back to visitors for larger in-person meetings, events, conventions and trade shows.

CHA’s engineers are committed to supporting the Albany Capital Center as it implements improvements to its internal systems to welcome visitors back to events,” said Rich Amadon, senior vice president, CHA Consulting, Inc.

Plasma Air Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization technology has been tested and proven safe and effective in dozens of independent studies. It is proven that Plasma Air Ionization reduced coronavirus surrogate (MS2 Bacteriophage) by 99%. Plasma Air’s HVAC unit-mounted ionizers use proactive air purification technologies to deactivate airborne viruses safely. The needlepoint, brush and tube-style products create millions of positive and negative ions, a proven method of virus removal.

The ACC continues to implement protocols and technologies in response to the COVID pandemic.  The facility remains in compliance with the CDC and government guidelines, enhancing already stringent standards of ASM’s Venue Shield program. VenueShield is a comprehensive and best-in-class program, deployed at ASM Global managed facilities, providing the highest levels of sanitation and safety in partnership with industry experts as well as public health officials. Touchless temperature kiosks and contract tracing are also implemented when needed. The added improvement to air quality parlayed with existing measures will add to the facility’s resume in the application process to become an accredited GBAC (Global Risk Advisory Council) Facility.

The management of indoor air quality is important to our efforts in providing for the best attendee experience at the Albany Capital Center, and the investment in this technology is but one step that the Albany Convention Center Authority has taken to assure that is always the case,” said Michele Vennard, chair, ACCA.

The Albany Convention Center Authority is committed to maintaining the best conditions for attendees at the Albany Capital Center and enhanced indoor air quality management will be an important part of that guest experience,” said ACCA Board Member, NYS Assembly Member John T. McDonald III.

The venue has hosted 49 events in 2021 to date, which include hybrid meetings, and sporting events and meetings; there are an additional 52 events contracted through the end of 2021 with more expected. To learn more about the ACC, visit albanycapitalcenter.com.