The RP Funding Center has announced that it has achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities. Under the guidance of GBAC, a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, RP Funding Center has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention in its facilities.
As the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR™ helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations. The program verifies the RP Funding Center implements best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.
Early in the pandemic, the RP Funding Center/City of Lakeland and Visit Central Florida/Polk County placed a priority on working together to plan and execute safe conferences, sports competitions and consumer exhibitions in Polk County. A key component to the safe return of larger meetings and events was the attainment of the GBAC Certification. Mark Jackson, Director of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing said, "Working together to attain the GBAC Certification allows the RP Funding Center and Visit Central Florida to demonstrate to meeting and event planners that the health and safety of event attendees, facility staff and the residents of Polk County are our top priority."
“As we move into a post Covid-19 world, we feel our GBAC Certification is our commitment to providing a safe environment to all of our guests at the RP Funding Center,” stated Tony Camarillo, RP Funding Center Executive Director.
“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. “By taking this important step to pursue GBAC STAR, the RP Funding Center has received third-party validation that it follows strict protocols for biorisk situations, thereby demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to operating safely.”
To achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation, the RP Funding 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. Learn more about GBAC STAR accreditation at www.gbac.org.
About GBAC, A Division of ISSA
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response and recovery, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance,
accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The
organization’s services include biorisk management program assessment and training, Forensic Restoration® response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation program, training and certification of individuals and consulting for building owners and facility managers. For more information, visit www.gbac.org.
About ISSA
With more than 9,300 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners and associated service members— ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing
the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning
as an investment in human health, the environment and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.
About Visit Central Florida
Visit Central Florida is a division of the Polk County government and is the official destination marketing organization for Polk County, Florida. Visit Central Florida is responsible for facilitating conventions, meetings and special events and marketing the destination for leisure and group travel. www.VisitCentralFlorida.org
About RP Funding Center
The RP Funding Center is a newly renovated, multi-purpose facility featuring a convention center with 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, 5,000 seat Jenkins Arena and 2,200 seat Youkey Theatre. The RP Funding Center hosts a wide variety of events ranging from nationally renowned artists, family shows, athletic events, trade shows, conventions, meetings and weddings. Situated in sunny Central Florida and conveniently located minutes between Orlando and Tampa in Lakeland, Florida. The RP Funding Center is a short drive from anywhere in Central Florida and is a key destination stop for all types of events. For more information visit,
There are no comments
Please login to post comments