CHICAGO — The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, announced that Dr. Deborah Birx, a world-renowned physician, infectious disease expert, and diplomat, will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural GBAC Symposium on Air Considerations, to be held August 16-17 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The event leadership will create a forum for scientists and industry thought leaders to share innovations and best practices for improving indoor air quality in non-medical settings.
“The GBAC Symposium is our next step in advancing innovation and progress to make our world safer,” said Michael Diamond, GBAC Senior Director. “This event will bring together environmental security and infectious disease experts like Dr. Birx and organizations to discuss real solutions to public health challenges.”
Birx served on the White House Coronavirus Task Force from March 2020 to January 2021. Her three-decade career focused on HIV/AIDS immunology, vaccine research and global health.
As global AIDS coordinator under Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Birx oversaw the implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the largest commitment by any nation to fight a single disease in history.
Most trade show organizers are familiar with GBAC through its GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation, which is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation for facilities. GBAC STAR accreditation is now a requirement for many trade show organizers considering setting up a facility.
“We are bringing our IBS/International Beauty Show and International Aesthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conference and Expo to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in June 2022,” said Jill Birkett, Vice President of Questex Wellness Group. “We are working alongside our partners, like the LVCC, to do our best to provide a safe and clean environment for our attendees and exhibitors. Especially in times like these, partners who recognize the importance of working to create this type of environment are critical. We hosted a very successful event at the facility in June 2021 and were able to do so because of the great work they do at the LVCC, including achieving GBAC Star Facility accreditation.”
Related: Facility’s GBAC STAR Accreditation Gives LVCC a Roadmap to Safer Events
Dr John McKeon, medical entrepreneur and CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd (ASL), an international standards and certification body, will also speak at the GBAC symposium. As founder of ASL, McKeon leads a portfolio of successful healthcare-related businesses and is an Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation, as well as a decorated physician and expert in life sciences, biotechnology and the healthcare sector.
Rounding out the list of speakers at the Global Biorisk Advisory Council Symposium are Elizabeth (EC) Caley, Co-CEO of Poppy; Mark Hernandez, Ph.D., Environmental and Architectural Engineering Expert; John LaRochelle, Environmental Infection Prevention Expert; John Lowe, Ph.D., Infectious Disease Scientist; Dr. Paul Meechan, Biorisk Expert; Patricia Olinger, Executive Director of GBAC; and Stefan Wagener, Ph.D., Executive Director of Biorisk International.
Event organizers invited these thought leaders to the Symposium to share their ideas and strategies for improving indoor air quality in schools, offices, restaurants, gyms, and other non-healthcare environments during a pandemic and beyond.
ISSA members can register for the GBAC Symposium for $250, while the price for non-members is $350.
To inquire about sponsorship and exhibit space, email Michael Diamond at [email protected].
GBAC also invites GBAC Symposium participants who wish to present a paper at the Symposium to submit abstracts. The deadline to submit a proposal is June 15.
Contact Michael Diamond at [email protected]
Contact Jill Burkett at [email protected]