Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center In Dallas Prepares To Reopen
September 29, 2020
After a nearly seven-month closure due to COVID-19, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) is prepared to reopen in mid-October for two events designed to test and evaluate safety protocols outlined in the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation the center earned this month
GBAC STAR
The Dallas hospitality community led the nation in safety and sanitation by becoming the first destination to seek GBAC STAR accreditation. This initiative – administered by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association – is the gold standard for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention protocols.
Currently the KBHCCD, DFW International Airport and several hotels and venues have earned accreditation, with many more well on their way.
KBHCCD’s accreditation process was exhaustive and required Spectra Venue Management (Spectra) and Convention and Event Services (CES) to develop a comprehensive plan aligned with the 20 GBAC STAR requirements, and to certify that the center has the proper systems and protocols in place to safely reopen. CES, Spectra and VisitDallas will use the results of these two October events to refine the KBHCCD reopening plan before hosting a more diverse selection of larger, publicly attended events.
Mecum Auto Auction – Oct. 15-17
Mecum Auto Auction has been restructured in response to COVID-19 and is scheduled for Oct. 15-17. The event will welcome approximately 2,000 registered attendees over three days.
Together Again Expo – Oct. 23
Together Again Expo is a limited attendance in-person event that will serve as a demonstration of how trade shows and live events may happen safely and responsibly. The event will include a trade show, educational presentations, guest speakers and a full event live-stream for virtual attendees. Each element of the event will adhere to the KBHCCD’s reopening plan and GBAC STAR accreditation procedures.
The event will bring together 750 show management, facility management and service providers to discuss and demonstrate health and safety related products and protocols. As host of the expo, Dallas will be presented as a city that has put in the hard work necessary to safely and responsibly welcome back the general public. As only the second city in the nation to host this event, the Dallas hospitality community is working hard toward economic recovery.
“Meetings and events are essential to our success and we’re looking forward to the day when we can see our friends and colleagues face-to-face again. More than 13,000 vital hospitality workers have lost their jobs due to the pandemic in Dallas, and the Together Again Expo is an important step in putting our colleagues back to work and beginning recovery for the meetings and events industry,” said Craig T. Davis, President and CEO of VisitDallas.