GBAC STAR Accreditation
Lead the industry in health and public safety practices
Learn why it’s essential for your business and the city as a whole to become GBAC STAR accredited.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the GBAC STAR accreditation program is exactly what facilities need to confidently reopen and keep staff, customers, and communities safe.
– John Barrett, Executive Director, ISSA
What is GBAC STAR Accreditation?
The Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s (GBAC) STAR Accreditation is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities. This performance-based accreditation program helps facilities demonstrate they have the work practices, procedures and protocols to prepare, respond and recover from outbreaks and pandemics to instill confidence in customers, staff and key stakeholders. GBAC is a division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association.
What does it mean to be GBAC STAR Accredited & what are the benefits?
It means that your facility staff or service provider is implementing the industry’s highest standards for cleaning and disinfection of infectious agents like the novel coronavirus. It provides third-party validation that your facility or service providers meet a higher level of cleanliness and safety.
Why should I become GBAC STAR accredited?
Visit Baltimore, in partnership with ISSA/GBAC, is committed to becoming one of the first destinations GBAC STAR accredited. This will be a community commitment and a tool for all of our participants to use in their marketing messages.
The Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, has developed the GBAC STAR™ Destinations Program to recognize destinations and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) that commit to the well-being and safety of their communities and venues through comprehensive implementation of the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation Program.
The goal of GBAC STAR Destinations is to establish environments in which visitors and residents alike feel safe and secure in facilities that have successfully accredited to GBAC STAR throughout the locality. From the airport to the hotel to the convention/meeting facility to the restaurant and beyond, GBAC STAR facility accreditation promotes health and safety and empowers the GBAC STAR Destination to inspire customer confidence and assurance of a clean, safe, and healthy experience.
Baltimore is continuously working towards this program as a confidence building tool for our reopening.
ISSA & Visit Baltimore’s Vice President of Sales & Customer Experience Dustin Arnheim discuss the GBAC Star Experience
Who is eligible for accreditation and how much does it cost?
Facilities of any size are encouraged to participate in the GBAC STAR. No matter how big or how small stadiums, convention centers, retail space, commercial offices, restaurants, hotels, spas, transportation facilities and more are eligible.
Pricing varies based on the type of venue or facility. To see if your business is eligible for the GBAC STAR funding, please reach out to Camille Spilker, convention services manager, for more information.
Accredited Facilities as of 9/17/21:
- Baltimore Convention Center
- Hyatt Regency
- Hyatt Place
- Hotel Revival
- The Ivy Hotel
- Lord Baltimore
- Tru by Hilton
- Charleston
- Johnny’s
- Bar Vasquez
- Cinghaile
- Petit Louis Bistro
- Bin 604
- Bin 201
- Four Seasons Baltimore
- Crowne Plaza Baltimore
- Radisson Hotel
- Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards
- Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
- Sagamore Pendry Hotel
- Hornblower Cruises
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
- Royal Sonesta Harbor Court
- National Aquarium
- Forno Restaurant
- BWI Airport
- Hilton Baltimore
- Port Discovery Children’s Museum
- Fishnet Baltimore
Find out who is working on their GBAC STAR accreditation. To find out who is engaged worldwide, visit the GBAC directory.
How do I become accredited?
There are 20 GBAC STAR Program Elements, each with specific performance and guidance criteria. We recommend reviewing the Readiness Assessment Checklist and the Recommendations for a Successful Accreditation before starting the application process.
How long does it take to become accredited?
- 1-3 weeks to gather documentation
- 4-6 in queue to be reviewed by our GBAC team
- 1-2 weeks for edits to documentation
*This can alter due to timeliness in submitting/editing documents.
GBAC Bootcamp resources are available to assist in the application process, a Model for Accreditation is also provided to get you started.
Here is what one of our members said about the bootcamp: “The GBAC Bootcamp was integral in assisting participants with filling out the appropriate paperwork. They were detailed and made sure we knew how the answer was expected and where to find the resources.” Lauren Nock, RMA Limo
What happens once we submit and receive our accreditation?
Once you have submitted your application, a GBAC representative will review your documents and reach out if any edits are needed. Once accredited, participants will receive a press kit, GBAC STAR seal decals for display in your facility, marketing on Baltimore.org, continued education opportunities and more!
Ready to become GBAC STAR Accredited or need help with your application?
Contact Camille with further questions:
Camille Spilker
Convention Services Manager
[email protected]
443-465-1026
