Three of Events DC’s Venues Join Facilities Globally with Premier Cleaning Certification
Washington, DC (September 14, 2020) – Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, has achieved GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation for the Entertainment and Sports Arena and the DC Armory from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC)®, a Division of ISSA. The Arena and DC Armory join the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in achieving this premier certification for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention. The Arena is the first sports facility in DC to secure this preeminent cleaning accreditation.
"With the addition of two more Events DC venues achieving the GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation, we continue to maintain our commitment to safely reopening all of our venues at the appropriate time. As an organization, it is our responsibility to be focused and dedicated towards implementing and maintaining the highest levels of health and safety protocols for our attendees and employees. We must build confidence and instill trust as we look forward to welcoming guests back to our venues,” stated Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC.
Located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC, the Entertainment and Sports Arena is one of DC’s newest facilities. The 4,200-seat arena serves as the home court for the 2019 WNBA Champion Washington Mystics, NBA G-League Capital City Go-Go and the practice facility for the NBA Washington Wizards. With 70,000 square feet of space, the DC Armory is the city’s 10,000-seat multi-purpose venue and is one of the most versatile venues in the mid-Atlantic region.
“We are thrilled to achieve the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s STAR™ certification for the Entertainment and Sports Arena and DC Armory,” said Ralph Morton, SVP and Managing Director, Sports & Entertainment at Events DC. “The hard work, persistence and commitment from our entire Events DC team has allowed us the opportunity to focus our efforts on taking our operating standards to the next level.”
Events DC has long been recognized as one of the premier venue operators in the country and has demonstrated the organization’s leading experience and high standard of care by building an Alternate Care Facility within the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and a reimagined drive-in movie series, Park Up DC at the RFK Campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Events DC continues to deploy its COVID-19 venue recovery plan, the organization remains focused on additional areas of health and safety, including enhanced sanitation efforts, cutting-edge, hands-free technology and new food and beverage services and capabilities, along with comprehensive staff training.
Events DC also serves on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s ReOpen DC Advisory Group, along with distinguished leaders from public health, business (including retail and hospitality), entertainment, and recreation, with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and DC Health.
To-date, there are currently more than 3,000 facilities in 66 different countries undergoing the process of earning GBAC STAR™ accreditation.
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About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation's capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District's hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKCampus.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and the Entertainment and Sports Arena (www.ESAontheRise.com), all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.
