IAEE Teams Up With ISSA to Provide GBAC-Trained Technician Certification
August 20, 2020
To help exhibitions and events professionals return to the face-to-face business environment safely and effectively, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events has partnered with global cleaning industry association ISSA on a Global Biorisk Advisory Council technician training course. Designed to teach participants how to prepare for, respond to and recover from biohazards in the workplace, the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course: Cleaning & Disinfection Principles teaches the principles behind infection and contamination control measures for infectious disease outbreak situations such as COVID-19.
Running 2-3 hours, the course covers the following topics:
- Preventative, response, infection control and contamination control measures to known or potential infectious disease outbreak situations, including emphasis on the novel coronavirus
- Importance of proper cleaning and disinfection for health
- GBAC protocol for response and remediation
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), tools and equipment
- Cleaners and disinfectants based on the EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance in the U.S.
- How international professionals can find information specific to their own countries
After successfully completing the course within 30 days, participants will receive a certificate of completion from GBAC, after which they can use the term “GBAC-Trained Technician” to distinguish themselves professionally.
“IAEE is deeply committed to helping show organizers, exhibitors and attendees feel safe at the in-person exhibitions and events that are so essential to the global marketplace,” said IAEE president and CEO David DuBois. “Partnerships such as this allow us to fulfill our objectives in developing tools and resources for members of the industry to confidently manage the obstacles we are currently facing.”
The GBAC Fundamentals Online Course is offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese and Polish. Through the IAEE Referral Program, the cost for both IAEE members and non-members is $150. To learn more and enroll, go here.
Another Industry Safety Partnership
The GBAC certification course comes as some event companies are partnering with health and safety consultants to help clients prepare to restart their events. For example, The Expo Group recently partnered with public health expert Lauren Sauer to assist event organizers with the decision-making process surrounding the health and safety of face-to-face gatherings.
As the director of operations for the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response and assistant professor of emergency medicine in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Sauer has been working in the field of disaster and public health emergency research and response for almost two decades.
According to The Expo Group officials, Sauer’s research focus and understanding of public health protocols, decision-making around risk mitigation and interpretation of scientific guidelines make her an ideal resource as organizations seek to bring people together smartly and safely.
“The need for a strong, science-backed understanding of the public health issues surrounding gatherings led us to provide this resource to our clients,” said Randy Pekowski, president and COO of The Expo Group. “Guidelines are not beneficial without a real understanding of the latest medical findings and risk mitigation.”
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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