GBAC^® STAR accreditation is a significant achievement for facilities. GBAC STAR facilities demonstrate their commitment to supporting a high-performance cleaning and maintenance program to maintain a hygienic indoor environment. Accredited facilities have knowledgeable cleaning professionals trained to uphold the highest health and safety standards.

Managed by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council^® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, GBAC STAR helps facilities apply the science of clean to benefit the health, well-being, and performance of people. It is not about passing or failing but helping a facility focus on data-driven cleaning and improving performance. Performance can be measured by looking at both activities and outcomes.

The GBAC STAR model for improvement uses the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology, which involves small tests of change and rapid cycle improvement. Accreditation guiding principles start with three fundamental questions for each facility:

1. What are you trying to accomplish?
2. How will you know that a change is an improvement?
3. What change can you make that will result in improvement?

Enhancing health and safety protocols

Mike Alperstein, the general manager of BMO Stadium, which is home to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and National Women’s Soccer League’s Angel City Football Club, stated, “We are committed to being a force for good. Recognizing the emphasis placed on health and safety in today’s climate, we found that it was our responsibility to deliver industry-leading protocols, specifically as they relate to all staff and guests entering our building. We felt that GBAC STAR was imperative for us to go after to provide that level of comfort.”

At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), “the high traffic nature of airports necessitates stringent and strategically planned cleaning protocols, especially in restrooms and gate areas, to maintain cleanliness and safety,” said Angela Dominczyk, Process and Compliance Coordinator of Terminal Operations at DTW. “The accreditation process led to improvements and updated our standard operating procedures (SOPs). These improvements have ensured consistent processes and protocols across the airport’s two terminals, which span a combined 1.35 million square feet of public space, enhancing overall health and safety standards for both passengers and employees.”

“A desire to maintain the highest standard of health and hygiene by implementing best practices to keep our facility prepared for biorisk threats through staff training, creating a dedicated safety committee, and staying up to date with innovative cleaning methods,” stated Joe Levy, the assistant general manager at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, home to the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA’s New York Liberty.

Boosting customer confidence

Sean Clancy, the general manager of the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, said, “We wanted to be able to demonstrate to our stakeholders—our guests, our employees, our partners—that we had best-in-class sanitation and cleanliness programs in place. We liked the rigor of the GBAC STAR program. Cleanliness is the new luxury in hospitality.”

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, which engaged in the GBAC STAR program during a pandemic-induced closure, emphasized that “the accreditation has increased trust among guests and employees. The rigorous process, including risk assessments and inventory checks, ensures first-class cleanliness throughout the property,” explained Clancy.

Comprehensive safety measures

The Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay in Monterey, California, benefited as “the accreditation process highlighted the importance of consistent cleaning protocols and provided ongoing value beyond the pandemic,” mentioned Janine Chicourrat, managing director. “The accreditation has been seen as a permanent improvement in operations, ensuring long-term safety and cleanliness.”

Real estate firms such as Coretrust Capital Partners, LLC, have “implemented various measures such as touchless systems, UVC germicidal lamps, upgraded MERV filters, and air purification to ensure a safe environment for tenants,” noted Thomas Ricci, principal and founding partner. “The accreditation process involved an infection prevention audit and compliance with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines, aiming to create sustainable and healthy environments.”

Ongoing training and continuous improvement

United Service Companies pursued GBAC STAR service accreditation to ensure credibility and safety through independent third-party validation. “Continuous training is crucial for maintaining standards, with a shift towards air purification while retaining the importance of surface cleaning and electrostatic spraying,” highlighted Richard Simon, President/CEO. “The accreditation provides ongoing support and real-time information to adapt to new infectious disease threats.”

At The Garlands of Barrington in Barrington, Illinois, a resort-like retirement community, the GBAC STAR accreditation validated their proactive safety measures during the pandemic and guided further improvements. “The accreditation helped unify the organization, boosting confidence among residents, staff, and prospective clients,” stated Nancy McCaffrey, director of hospitality. “The process resulted in comprehensive training programs and increased communication about potential risks, fostering a safer community environment.”

Fan safety and employee engagement

For sports venues like American Family Field, home of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Milwaukee Brewers, the accreditation ensures fan safety and comfort by implementing thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols. “The accreditation process aids in developing habits of risk assessment, documentation, and proper training, benefiting long-term safety and operational efficiency,” noted Steve Ethier, senior vice president of stadium operations.

Driving knowledge and best practices

CCS Facility Services, the first GBAC STAR service-accredited company, highlighted the importance of employee engagement and continuous improvement. “The accreditation drives knowledge and best practices to frontline staff, emphasizing the importance of employee engagement and validation of their roles,” stated Troy Coker, CEO. “We intend to renew GBAC STAR annually because it validates that CCS truly has the knowledge to help a facility clean for health and also has given us a rallying cry for our employees as another thing to be proud of.”

Reinforcing the importance of cleanliness

Convention centers like the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida, have seen significant benefits from the GBAC STAR accreditation. “The accreditation process highlighted the importance of using EPA-approved cleaning chemicals and helped enhance existing sanitation procedures,” noted Mark Tester, executive director of OCCC. “The validation provided by the accreditation boosts confidence among attendees and staff, ensuring high standards of cleanliness and safety.”

For event centers like the Halifax Convention Centre in Nova Scotia, “achieving the GBAC STAR accreditation positions the Centre to focus on its core mission of hosting events,” stated Genaya Cameron, senior director of event operations. “The accreditation process took about five months and demonstrates the Centre’s commitment to safety.”

Industry-wide safety standards

Facilities like the Salt Palace Convention Center of Salt Lake City, Utah, joined the GBAC STAR accreditation program to set industry-wide safety standards. “The accreditation ensures the safety of visitors and staff, emphasizing the need for such measures in the future of convention facilities,” stated Bart Allen, assistant general manager of Salt Palace Convention Center. “The process improved training and the implementation of cleaning protocols.”

The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital is the first in Fiji to be accredited with GBAC STAR. Hospital director Dr. Krupali Tappoo said she was “thrilled to receive news that we successfully demonstrated compliance with the program’s elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment, emergency preparedness, and response measures.”

Your facility can achieve GBAC STAR

GBAC STAR accreditation offers numerous benefits to facilities, from enhancing health and safety protocols to boosting customer confidence and ensuring long-term cleanliness standards. Whether it’s airports, hotels, convention centers, stadiums, or real estate properties, achieving this accreditation demonstrates a facility’s commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment, fostering trust, and providing ongoing value beyond immediate concerns. Learn more at https://gbac.issa.com.

               Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner is the senior director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA. As an infection prevention expert and university professor, he works to develop protocols and education for the global cleaning industry to empower facilities, businesses, and cleaning professionals to create safe and healthy environments.