Hawai‘i Convention Center Earns GBAC STAR™ Accreditation for Cleaning Protocols

The Center meets “gold standard” requirements for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is the first meetings venue in Hawaii to earn the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ Facility Accreditation, after meeting rigorous standards for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention.

The GBAC STAR Accreditation Program is performance-based and designed to help facilities establish a comprehensive system of proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices to combat biohazards and infectious disease like the novel coronavirus. The Center joins a select group of meetings and events facilities that are accredited by GBAC, which is a division of ISSA, the world’s leading cleaning industry association. To achieve accreditation, the Center was required to demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures. There is an annual reaccreditation process.

“The Hawai‘i Convention Center is using industry-leading health and safety protocols to give our guests, staff and communities greater peace of mind,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “The health and safety of our guests and employees are the Center’s top priority.”

The Center has developed and implemented health and safety measures led by ASM Global’s comprehensive VenueShield program. This includes:

• Enhanced cleaning and sanitation and the use of electrostatic sprayers;
• The installation of thermal cameras and touchless temperature checks;
• The use of personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Modified food and beverage operations, including fresh, individually packaged meals and snacks;
• Increased availability of hand-sanitizer dispensers;
• Contactless transactions, special signage and social-distancing guidelines.

“GBAC STAR accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger.

Visit HawaiiConvention.com for updates and additional information about booking a meeting or event. The Center’s interactive virtual map offers a complete 3D tour of rooms and facilities.

Hawaii Meetings and Events Restrictions Eased

Effective March 11, 2021, the City & County of Honolulu eased COVID-19 restrictions for the Island of Oahu to allow for gatherings, meetings and events under the Tier 3 reopening strategy. The full announcement is available here, with additional details on events here.

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is welcoming guests with industry-leading protocols for meetings and events, including the implementation of health and safety technologies, new food and beverage options, revised layouts for socially distanced gatherings, and extensive staff training. Our health and safety guidelines are available here.

For more on booking meetings and events at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, please contact:

Trevor Newman
Hawaii Convention Center / Senior Sales Manager
Tel: (808) 943-3594
tnewman@hccasm.com

We look forward to meeting with you again (in person) soon.

Tier 3 reopening information: oneoahu.org/reopening-tier3

Information on traveling to Hawaii: hawaiicovid19.com/travel

VIDEO: Hawaii Convention Center Unveils New Health and Safety Program

The Hawaii Convention Center is pleased to offer a comprehensive health and safety program that ensures the highest levels of cleanliness and safety for our staff, guests, and communities.
While some of our protocols have changed, we will continue to provide a world-class meetings experience with legendary service, shaped by the spirit of aloha.
For more information, please visit: blog.hawaiiconvention.com/reopening-protocols-and-guidelines/

HCC Implements COVID-19 Health and Safety Program

As seen in the August 2020 issue of Waikiki Improvement Association’s Wiki Wiki Wire newsletter.

The Hawai‘i Convention Center has implemented a comprehensive health and safety program developed by leading venue and event management company ASM Global to ensure the highest levels of health and safety for staff, guests and communities.

In compliance with guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health, these extensive measures include enhanced cleaning and sanitation for high-touch surfaces, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), modified food and beverage operations, the increased availability of hand sanitizer dispensers, contactless transactions, special signage and social distancing markers.

The Center recently installed thermal scanners at several main entrances. In locations where thermal cameras are not available, temporal thermometers will be used. Anyone displaying a temperature over 100.4 degrees F will be taken to a private area for a secondary temperature screening. Employees or guests confirmed to have a temperature over 100.4 degrees will be evaluated by medical personnel.

The Center is also using VenueShield, ASM Global’s proprietary environmental hygiene protocol, which is being deployed at more than 325 facilities worldwide. The VenueShield program offers best practices that include state-of-the-art standard operating procedures for environmental hygiene.

While the Center remains closed to the public, it has continued to welcome volunteers and staff from the Office of Elections for vote counting.

For more on the Center’s new health and safety program, visit https://blog.hawaiiconvention.com/reopening-protocols-and-guidelines/