The Palmer Events Center and the Austin Convention Center have achieved the prestigious 2024 Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation, representing the highest standard for well-prepared facilities. GBAC is a division of ISSA—The Worldwide Cleaning Association. As the exclusive outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation in the cleaning industry, GBAC STAR assists organizations in establishing protocols and procedures. It provides expert-led training and evaluates a facility’s readiness to handle biorisk situations.
The 2024 accreditation confirms that the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) is diligently following appropriate cleaning protocols, disinfection methods, and best practices for combatting biohazards and infectious diseases. The Austin Convention Center Department manages the Austin Convention Center and Palmer Events Center. These facilities initially earned their annual performance-based accreditation in 2021 and have successfully maintained GBAC STAR reaccreditations in 2022, 2023, and now in 2024.
To attain GBAC STAR accreditation, both facilities had to demonstrate their compliance with the program’s 20 fundamental elements, which encompass a wide range of areas, from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures. The Palmer Events Center and the Austin Convention Center adhere to best practices in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from outbreaks and pandemics.
The Austin Convention Center and the Palmer Events Center also hold LEED Gold certification and are both GBAC STAR accredited establishments. The Austin Convention Center is centrally located at 500 East Cesar Chavez, in the heart of downtown Austin, while the Palmer Events Center is adjacent to Butler Park, Auditorium Shores, and Lady Bird Lake, at 900 Barton Springs Road. The Austin Convention Center Department consists of 301 full-time staff positions and operates as an enterprise department within the City of Austin.
