Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center’s number one priority is the health and safety of guests, employees, and partners. The Center has taken proactive measures in response to this rapidly evolving situation and continually monitor information from various resources. The Center is ready to work with meeting planners to develop plans and procedures specific to each event. Current guidelines encompass information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Texas Governor’s Office, City of San Antonio Health Department, and International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).
The Convention Center is proud to have received the Global BioRisk Advisory Council (GBAC) Accreditation. GBAC is a division of International Supply and Sanitary Association (ISSA), the worldwide cleaning association. This accreditation program assesses cleaning and disinfection practices and infectious-disease prevention. GBAC is currently the industry’s only accreditation for outbreak prevention, response and recovery establishing requirements to control risks associated with infectious agents, such as the virus that causes COVID-19.
The following are measures taken to ensure a clean and healthy environment for guests, employees and partners. View the detailed Convention Center Reopening Plan and Safer Event Practices.
- Sanitation methods have increased for high contact areas including guest information desks, escalator and stair handrails, elevators, water fountains, public furniture, door handles, push bars and restroom surfaces
- Free-standing hand sanitizer units are available for strategic placement
- Signage is prominently displayed in facilities with CDC protocols for hand washing
- Custodial managers and supervisors were trained by the International Sanitary and Supply Association (ISSA) on improved cleaning procedures. As a result, a comprehensive training program was administered to custodial staff
- Hand hygiene processes and respiratory etiquette were reintroduced to staff
- Ventilation standards were adjusted for increased outside air intake/air change rates
- Screening measures are employed for all partners, staff, vendors, and contractors utilizing City of San Antonio guidelines
- Will ensure successful meetings by working with each meeting planner on social distancing and space allocation
- The Center’s exclusive caterer is revising many processes to ensure guests continue to receive the highest food safety and quality of food and beverages. Food presentation options may include one-sided buffet lines served by catering wait staff, silverware individually wrapped, condiments provided by a server upon request, and a new variety of boxed meals and prepackaged food items.