Under the guidance of GBAC – a division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association – the convention center will implement the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention.
GBAC STAR helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations. The program will verify that the Oregon Convention Center implements best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.
“When we can safely reopen, OCC will return to our core mission providing a space for membership organizations and meeting planners to bring people together from all around the globe to network, drive business and innovate technologies and business practices that transform our world,” said Craig Stroud, executive director. “We are deeply committed to safely reopen and return to being the economic driver for our state and this accreditation is a first step in doing so,” he continued.
The Oregon Convention Center is the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest and is a leader in sustainable operations and business practices. Totaling one million square feet of space, OCC hosts an average of 400 events and more than 500,000 visitors annually. In fiscal year 2019, the Oregon Convention Center generated $655 million in economic impact for the region, supported nearly 6,000 jobs and generated more than $23.2 million in state and local tax revenues.
The Oregon Convention Center is a key economic driver to greater Portland and Oregon by attracting national and international visitors. Conference attendees often extend their stays to visit the Oregon coast, Willamette Valley wineries, Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, central Oregon and more, spending an average of $404 per day.