Association News

American Association of Diabetes Educators Has New Name

The former American Association of Diabetes Educators is now the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). The rebranding reflects the association’s shift from referencing the specialty title as “diabetes educator” to the more comprehensive “diabetes care and education specialist.” The new title more accurately signifies the range of expertise diabetes care and education specialists provide to people with diabetes, prediabetes and cardiometabolic conditions, the health care system, payers and providers. “The ADCES name and specialty title integrate clinical management and expertise, which are very important aspects of our work that weren’t reflected in the title diabetes educator,” said Kellie Antinori-Lent, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, BC-ADM, CDCES, FADCES, 2020 president of ADCES. “Our new name will help raise awareness among those who benefit from our services, as well as those who are in a position to increase the utilization of diabetes education, so we can build a landscape that helps individuals achieve optimal clinical and quality of life outcomes.”

The new name better reflects the association’s mission to ensure every individual with diabetes, prediabetes or a cardiometabolic condition has access to care that is developed, supervised and/or delivered by a diabetes care and education specialist.

Two Georgia Facilities are First to Achieve GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation

The GBAC Star program helps facilities follow best practices during COVID-19.

The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, announced that the Georgia World Congress Center and Dinner in a Dash are the first organizations to achieve GBAC STAR™ facility accreditation. The GBAC STAR program helps commercial and public facilities of all sizes establish and carry out a systematic approach to cleaning, disinfection and infection prevention.

With more than 4 million square feet of total space, Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) features 1.5 million square feet of flexible exhibit space and is one of only a few venues to offer more than 1 million square feet of contiguous exhibition space. As the world’s largest LEED-certified convention center, GWCC welcomes more than 1 million visitors annually. GWCC was among the first convention centers in the country to commit to achieving GBAC STAR certification to make future gatherings safer.

“We are honored to be pacing the industry by achieving GBAC STAR accreditation,” said Frank Poe, executive director of Georgia World Congress Center Authority. “Although events will look different moving forward, our commitment to our customers, show attendees and team members that the highest cleaning and disinfection protocols are being implemented at GWCC hasn’t changed. We would expect nothing less of ourselves and for our facility.”

In 2012, Julie and Mike Cook founded Dinner in a Dash in Monroe, Georgia, allowing customers to pick up home-cooked meals for busy nights. With six employees and just about 1,500 square feet of space, Dinner in a Dash was built as a to-go concept rather than dine-in. However, the family-owned company saw the GBAC STAR program as an opportunity to provide additional reassurance in uncertain times.

“Our employees and customers are the heart of our business,” Julie Cook said. “Achieving GBAC STAR accreditation further showcases our dedication to cleanliness and the people who have helped our business become what it is today.”

Facilities and organizations in 30 countries are adopting the GBAC STAR program to ensure they follow best practices in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include professional sports venues, hotels, restaurants, convention centers, airports, churches and more.

Become a microbial Warrior. The GBAC Fundamentals Online Course will teach you infection and contamination control measures for infectious disease outbreaks. Learn more at associationforum.org/browse/ignite.

Toronto Convention and Visitors Association Changes Name to Destination Toronto

Announced during their virtual Annual General Meeting in June, the Toronto Convention and Visitors Association is now named Destination Toronto.

“As Toronto has evolved and grown over recent years, so have we as an organization, and it’s time to reflect that in our name. And while our community and the visitor economy is facing deep challenges, we know the future is bright for the city we love to share with the world,” writes Heather Neale, director of sales for the U.S. market.

She continues to explain that “this shift towards a new name is about amplifying the many voices within our organization and industry into one compelling narrative. The project began months ago — well before the global pandemic — and now seems more relevant than ever.”

The organization’s tagline is now: One Vision. One Destination. Endless Stories. Destination Toronto.

Visit seetorontonow.com for more information.

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