Providence, RI – The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) and the Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The VETS) have announced their commitment to achieve 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, PPAC and The VETS will implement the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention in each facility. 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 will verify that PPAC and The VETS implement best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.

“The safety of our guests and our staff members is our top priority,” said PPAC President and CEO J.L. “Lynn” Singleton. “As we move through the process of accreditation, we will collaborate with GBAC to enhance our guidelines and procedures for cleaning, sanitation, and infectious disease prevention to ensure everyone’s health while they attend a future performance at our beautiful theatre.”

“The GBAC Star™ accreditation is considered the gold standard of cleaning for the facilities industry,” said PPAC General Manager Alan Chille. “It is our hope that with this accreditation, our guests can feel assured that they will be experiencing and enjoying live entertainment in the safest way possible.”

“The VETS is committed to a safe and clean environment for its guests, artists, and employees, and the GBAC STAR™ accreditation is an integral part of that commitment,” said The VETS General Manager Dan Schwartz. “Through the program’s detailed risk assessment and response measures, it is our goal to bring our guests added comfort in experiencing live performances in Rhode Island.”

“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™, PPAC and The VETS will receive 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, PPAC and The VETS will 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 The Providence Performing Arts Center

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) presents a full roster of touring Broadway productions and contemporary engagements. PPAC has been the theatre of choice in launching twenty National Tours, including THE PROM, which opens PPAC’s 2020/2021 Broadway Season in January 2021. PPAC is a 3100-seat, world class venue located in the heart of Providence’s arts and entertainment district; it is the second largest theatre of its kind in the country. PPAC is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has also been ranked by Pollstar as one of the Top Venues in the world. PPAC is managed by Professional Facilities Management and is the home of their corporate office.

About The VETS

Since 1950, The VETS has held a unique place in the cultural life of Rhode Island as a performance venue for legendary artists, local performers and community traditions. The 1900-seat theater celebrates flawless acoustics and an exquisite interior with a one-of-a-kind ceiling featuring the shields of Rhode Island’s original 39 communities. On the National Register of Historic Places, recent updates transformed The VETS into a state-of-the-art performance facility. The VETS is overseen by the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority (RICCA) as part of the Rhode Island Convention and Entertainment Complex. It is managed by Professional Facilities Management (PFM).

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.