KANSAS CITY, MO — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a certification body for well buildings, announces a new health-safety rating system known as the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management. This evidence-based, third-party verified rating focuses on operational policies, cleaning protocols, and design strategies that address facilities in a post-COVID-19 environment. Populous Founder and Senior Principal, Chris Carver, based in Kansas City, Missouri, sits on the Advisory Council and brings decades of architectural design experience, including his work on the United Center, Pepsi Center, T-Mobile Arena, and more venues.

“We’re experiencing unprecedented times in our industry right now,” Carver said. “To be involved with the WELL Advisory on Sports and Entertainment Venues as an Advisory Board member is an incredible honor. I’m looking forward to working alongside this qualified group of experts as we develop evidence-based strategies that guide the industry and redesign the future of public venues in a post-COVID-19 environment.”

The new rating system has already gone into effect and applies to sports and entertainment venues, as well as a range of other facility types, including offices, hotels, retail, grocery stores, theaters, and more. To participate, facilities must submit policies, protocols, and strategies for third-party document review in addition to annual compliance verification. Current WELL-registered projects and WELL Portfolio participants can earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating as part of existing certification efforts.

“Critical feedback from leading industry stakeholders is crucial to the refinement and further development of the WELL Health-Safety Rating,” said Rick Fedrizzi, Chairman and CEO of IWBI. “By collaborating with industry and subject matter experts in public health, facility ownership, operations, management and policies, cleaning protocols, and building and spatial design, we are able to drive towards broader market transformation and completely rethink how owners and operators can adapt to be more resilient as we emerge from this global pandemic. We are excited to fast-track this program for sports and entertainment venues and have the industry fully engaged to address the challenges we face today.”

Comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of industry experts and wellness enthusiasts, fellow board members include Ed Bosco, Managing Director at ME Engineers; Scott Jenkins, General Manager for Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta; Al Guido, President of the San Francisco 49ers; and more industry leaders.

The IWBI works to advance the wellness movement on a global level. By adding in the components of health and wellness, nourishment, fitness, and comfort, IWBI WELL Building Standards differ from other certification programs, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ratings, by considering the human element in building design.

The International WELL Building Institute is a global movement to transform buildings and communities in ways that help people thrive. IWBI also delivers the WELL Building Standard, the first global rating system to be focused exclusively on the ways that buildings, and everything in them, can improve comfort, drive better choices, and generally enhance, not compromise, health and wellness. IWBI mobilizes the global wellness community through management of the WELL AP credential, convenes a global network of organizations through IWBI membership, pursues applicable research, develops educational resources, and advocates for policies that promote health and wellness everywhere.