The City of New Orleans Accredited as a GBAC Star Destination
New Orleans & Company and Mayor Cantrell’s Administration are pleased to announce that the City of New Orleans has been accredited as a Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR™ Destination. New Orleans is one of only five cities in the country to achieve such a status that speaks to the city’s commitment to health and safety for all residents, businesses and visitors.
Under the guidance of GBAC, a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, New Orleans has empowered businesses and public facilities within a community to establish and maintain a comprehensive system of cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention for their employees, customers and community members.
The GBAC STAR is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation. It is an important indicator of the city’s thoroughness with cleaning, disinfection and prevention.
“The City of New Orleans welcomes this newest accreditation,” said Mayor Cantrell. “This critical achievement, paired with New Orleans being a national leader in COVID-19 vaccination rates, represents our ongoing commitment to keeping our people safe, especially as we continue to see the return of festivals and major special events. I am extremely grateful to our residents, business leaders, and hospitality industry for coming together and helping emerge from the pandemic as a safe destination city.”
“As COVID-19 numbers continue to be at an all-time low in Louisiana, the GBAC STAR certification emphasizes that New Orleans is built to host large scale events and conventions,” said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company. “The certification demonstrates our commitment to making New Orleans a viable destination for people to do face-to-face business and support local businesses.”
Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Director of the New Orleans Department of Health, added, “As we continue to be a national leader in COVID-19 response, the GBAC STAR designation is a testament to the city’s commitment to being a safe and healthy destination for all those who choose New Orleans as a place to live, work and visit.”
The City joins the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport as GBAC STAR accredited. Other New Orleans facilities that are GBAC Star accredited include the Smoothie King Center, The Fillmore and House of Blues. To see the full list of New Orleans facilities accredited, please visit www.neworleans.com/gbac-star-destination/.
The destination team included members from both the convention center and airport that were instrumental in helping New Orleans & Company acquire the destination accreditation for the city.