Edmonton is looking to achieve official validation of its commitment to become a cleaner city.
Explore Edmonton, the visitor economy and venue management organization for the Albertan city, has announced a collaborative initiative to pursue city-wide GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation.
Once complete, Edmonton will be the first and only Canadian destination to obtain the accreditation and one of only two destinations in North America.
The accreditation, from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a Division of ISSA, denotes that a venue or location’s cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention programs implement best practices to prepare for, respond to, and recover from outbreaks and pandemics like the COVID-19 pandemic. To obtain it, facilities must demonstrate compliance with 20 specific elements including maintaining strict cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, infectious disease prevention planning, staff training, and more.
Edmonton’s collaborative effort includes Edmonton International Airport; Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels (EDMH), which oversees 38 properties across the city; Rogers Place; the Oilers Entertainment Group; and the already-accredited Edmonton Convention Centre and Edmonton EXPO Centre.
“Edmonton’s tourism, hospitality, and events industries will play an important role in our region’s post-COVID-19 recovery, getting people back to work, welcoming travellers back to the city, and delivering important economic and social benefits to our region,” said Maggie Davison, acting CEO of Explore Edmonton.
“Edmonton’s GBAC STAR Accreditation will ensure our international airport, major venues, and hotels are all working toward the same standards for cleanliness and outbreak prevention. By working in partnership, Edmonton can safely reopen for business and provide one of the safest travel experiences in North America, from arrival to departure.”
“The pursuit of GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation by various venues in Edmonton is a testament to the city’s commitment to making cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention an ongoing priority for its citizens and visitors,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “Through the GBAC STAR accreditation, they show their commitment to their communities by implementing a higher level of cleaning.”
GBAC STAR accreditation has become a popular way of facilities and destinations’ demonstrating their commitment to becoming cleaner and safer.
The certification has been taken up by a number of facilities across Canada in recent months, since launching in spring 2020.
Learn more and apply for GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation at gbac.org/star.
GBAC also recently launched its Service Accreditation, aimed at building service contractors and other outsourced cleaning service providers who are seeking third-party validation for their cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention programs.
MediaEdge is a proud reseller of the GBAC STAR and GBAC fundamentals online course. Please see the program details and links below and remember to use the promo codes when registering as they provide discounts.
- Commercial facility owners looking for GBAC STAR accreditation can follow the link here.
- ISSA has also released a new GBAC fundamentals online course specifically designed for cleaning workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus fight. Please click here to register and receive a discount off normal prices.
For additional program details and information, please email chuckn@mediaedge.ca or contact him at (416) 803-4653.
