GBAC Star Sets New Standard for ‘Fine Art of Retirement’

Contributed by BSM Staff

NORTHBROOK, IL -- The Garlands of Barrington, an award-winning Life Plan community for people ages 55 and older in Barrington, Ill., is the first and only retirement community in the nation to earn GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, (GBAC), a Division of ISSA.

More facilities join the list of GBAC STAR accredited facilities this week, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Baltimore; Colorado Springs Airport in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park, Ill.; Hornblower Cruises & Events in Baltimore; and others.

“Many facilities are already fulfilling some of the key elements of the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation program with the protocols they currently have in place,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “Formalizing their approach to cleaning, disinfecting, and infection prevention can offer many benefits, including improved guest and employee confidence, brand reputation, and infectious disease preparation, response, and recovery.”

The Garlands of Barrington developed a COVID-19 task force early in the pandemic and sought out GBAC STAR accreditation, the gold standard of cleanliness, that helps facilities prepare for, respond to, and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.

The Garlands’ one-of-a-kind Life Plan community, which includes 788,000 square feet of communal amenities, four restaurants, 14 hotel suites, over 260 private villas and independent living residences, and 70 healthcare apartments, now follows GBAC STAR’s 20-step program that includes protocols and best practices to effectively clean and disinfect against infectious agents, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

The following facilities around the globe have earned accreditation this week:
Airport
•     Colorado Springs Airport in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Commercial Offices
•     Buzz Impressions in Janesville, Wisc.
•     FMM - Facilities Management & Maintenance Company LLC. in Doha, Qatar

Hotels
•     Alila Anji in Zhejiang, China
•     Andaz Xiamen in Xiamen, China
•     Bethesdan Hotel Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Bethesda, Md.
•     Comfort Inn Shady Grove-Gaithersburg-Rockville in Gaithersburg, Md.
•     Hotel Balneario Las Arenas in Valencia, Spain
•     Hotel Buca di Bacco in Positano, Italy
•     Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin in Dublin
•     Hyatt House Herndon/Reston in Herndon, Va.
•     Hyatt Place Princeton in Princeton, N.J.
•     Katikies Garden in Santorini, Greece
•     Katikies Kirini in Santorini, Greece
•     Park Hyatt Zanzibar in Stone Town, Tanzania
•     Sagamore Pendry Baltimore in Baltimore
•     Sandies Bathala Resort Maldives in the Maldives
•     The Luxury Hotel Chongqing, the Unbound Collection by Hyatt in Chongqing, China

Restaurant or Food Service Facility
•     Hornblower Cruises & Events in Baltimore

Retail Facility
•     Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park, Ill.

Retirement Community
•     The Garlands of Barrington in Barrington, Ill.

Theatre or Performing Arts Center
•     Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Baltimore

“All eyes are on cleaning in the wake of the pandemic, and organizations that demonstrate their commitment to public health and safety set themselves up for future success,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “GBAC STAR accreditation is a clear step in the right direction, as the process teaches facilities how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from biorisks.”

Learn more and apply for GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation at gbac.org/star.

Find accredited facilities and those pursuing accreditation via the GBAC STAR Facility Directory at gbac.org/directory.

 

Soprema