USS Lexington is the First Aircraft Carrier in the World to Receive GBAC Seal

 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – August 5, 2021 – Proud to safely welcome visitors to the Gulf Coast Capital of Texas, four Corpus Christi businesses, facilities and attractions recently earned GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association.  Corpus Christi facilities receiving accreditation include: American Bank Center, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi International Airport and USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, the first aircraft carrier in the world to receive this designation. Several bars and restaurants completed the GBAC Fundamentalists Course, including: BUS (Bar Under the Sun), Harrison’s Landing, House of Rock and Rebel Toad Brewing. In addition, multiple businesses and hotels are currently undergoing the comprehensive process of accreditation.
 
The GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation Program is performance-based and designed to help facilities establish a comprehensive system of cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention for their staff and their building. The program relies on GBAC’s comprehensive training, which teaches the proper protocols, correct disinfection techniques and best practices for biohazard situations like the novel coronavirus. Successful GBAC STAR facilities are able to demonstrate that correct work practices, procedures and systems are in place to prepare, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics. 

As the most visited regional destination, Corpus Christi welcomes nearly 11 million business and leisure travelers each year. These visitors contribute $1.5 billion dollars to the local economy, supporting small businesses and creating jobs. Patrons will know they are visiting a safe, healthy environment, as GBAC-accredited businesses will have an official window cling on display.

“Tourism is Corpus Christi’s second largest industry, and it is crucial that we do everything we can to ensure the safety of these visitors and our local community,” Visit Corpus Christi President and CEO Brett Oetting said. “Our hope is that by taking these additional steps, visitors will feel comfortable knowing Corpus Christi is doing everything it can to create the healthiest environment possible – whether you are staying at a hotel, dining in one of our incredible restaurants or visiting a local attraction. We are extremely grateful to the businesses who decided to take this extra step with us and congratulate them on receiving accreditation.”

– MORE –
GBAC STAR ACCREDITATION
PAGE TWO
ISSA Executive Director John Barrett added, “As an increasing number of facilities pursue and earn accreditation, cities, states, and even entire regions are becoming safer destinations for travelers and locals alike. With a strategic approach to cleaning for health, guests at restaurants, hotels, museums, and more can focus first and foremost on fun.”
The USS Lexington Museum is a World War II aircraft carrier with the goal of improving the quality of life of the community by establishing and maintaining a major educational and entertaining museum and to preserve, for the enjoyment and education of future generations, the nation’s longest-serving and most historically significant Essex Class aircraft carrier. 

“A major aspect of these goals is making sure that our staff and guests know that we are doing our best to provide a safe and clean environment. Our participation in, and accreditation through, the GBAC Star program makes that possible,” said Steve Banta, executive director of the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay. “We are thrilled to be the first aircraft carrier in the world to receive the GBAC seal, and we look forward to welcoming guests on board knowing that we are providing the best experience possible with everyone’s health and safety in mind.”

To learn more about the GBAC STAR Accreditation program and participants, visit https://www.visitcorpuschristitx.org/meetings/safety/ or go to gbac.org/star. 
###
ABOUT VISIT CORPUS CHRISTI 
Visit Corpus Christi is a 501c6 Destination Management Organization contracted by the city of Corpus Christi with a mission to create a better community by sharing Corpus Christi with the world. The organization is primarily funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) paid by visitors while staying overnight in hotels and short-term rentals. Visit Corpus Christi also has a non-profit foundation that supports the hospitality and tourism industry via education programs, raising and providing funding to individuals and businesses during times of need through the Visit CC Cares program. For more information, visit www.visitcorpuschristitx.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 and service accreditation programs, 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 10,500 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.