ORLANDO — The economic fallout from COVID-19 and the resulting cascade of rescheduled and cancelled conventions and trade shows may have slowed the Center of Hospitality down in 2020, but the OCCC is working on new safety and hygiene initiatives to protect attendees and trade shows going forward.
The convention center has received Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s GBAC STAR certification for its hygiene and venue safety protocols. The city’s myriad theme parks, attractions, hotels, restaurants, and airport also have ramped up their hygiene procedures to assuage COVID-19 concerns.
Related. Orange County Convention Center Receives GBAC STAR Accreditation
Now the second largest U.S. convention center has taken a further step toward reassuring groups of the health and safety of convening at the OCCC by partnering with Visit Orlando and not-for-profit Orlando Health to provide personalized medical planning and support.
“As the nation’s top meetings destination, it was imperative for us to use the challenges facing the entire meetings industry to create a brand-new industry model,” said George Aguel, President and CEO of Visit Orlando. “This new personalized concierge program gives planners the tools, access and comfort that our destination, convention center and expert medical professionals are with them every step of the process to keep attendees safe.”
Groups meeting at the OCCC through the remainder of 2020 will be able to access Orlando Health’s expertise to:
Confer with medical professionals on the safety and efficacy of their event’s health and hygiene plansSecure access to personal protective equipment for attendees, including masks and hand sanitizer provided every attendee 24/7 direct access via photo, tablet, or laptop to a physician to answer any individual questions or concernsHave a medical expert available on site to provide any needed health services, including coronavirus testing, ensure the event’s host hotels, transportation vendors, and other service providers have clear guidance on best safety practices through Orlando Health’s Business Ready link: https://www.orlandohealth.com/businessready/advisory-services initiative.
“Offering this pioneering medical concierge gives our conventions and tradeshows a vast network of healthcare services and expertise that prioritizes the safety of our guests,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “This groundbreaking industry collaboration, coupled with our Recovery and Resiliency Guidelines and GBAC STAR accreditation, elevates our rigorous protocols and is a testament of our commitment to keeping attendees healthy at the second largest convention center in North America.”
Reach George Aguel at (407) 363-5872; Mark Tester at (407) 685-9800 or info@occc.net.
