The Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City has become the first venue of its kind in the world to to receive a 'WELL Health-Safety Rating' from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).
The third party rating recognizes excellence in operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement, and emergency preparedness.
More than 4,500 projects globally have achieved the required standard for certification, but Salt Palace Convention Center (SPCC) which is managed by Legends/ASM Global is the first in its category to do so.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating was created to guide organizations in implementing evidence-based strategies to protect people’s well-being—first in response to COVID-19, and now as a benchmark for ongoing public safety and operational resilience.
“This rating is a testament to our proactive approach to health and safety, and the trust we strive to build with every guest who walks through our doors,” says Dan Hayes, general manager of the Salt Palace Convention Center. “We’re honored to lead the way in setting a global standard for convention centers.”
“This WELL Health-Safety Rating recognition is a great honor for the Salt Palace Convention Center and speaks directly to the work the convention center team does for the employees, visitors, and residents who utilize the facility,” says Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “As the Salt Palace prepares for a major renovation, it’s great to know this groundwork is in place to ensure a strong, healthy, and safe transition.
In Salt Lake County, we put people first.
This is another great example of that priority.”
To earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating, SPCC strengthened its emergency preparedness and communication significantly, with the center assessing its emergency response plan, ensuring annual reviews, maintenance of critical safety equipment, and specialized procedures for vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
In addition, SPCC enhanced guest access to emergency information by posting QR codes throughout the venue, linking visitors directly to building emergency resources.
Beyond emergency readiness, SPCC also demonstrated excellence in employee health and well-being—including sick leave, health benefits, and mental-health support.
Honeycomb Strategies served as a WELL Accredited Professional advisor for the project.
“SPCC’s WELL Health-Safety Rating reflects a holistic approach to health, safety, and environmental responsibility,” says Lindsay Arell, CEO of the Honeycomb Strategies. "It’s a powerful example of how venues can lead the way in creating spaces that care for both people and the planet.”
As the Salt Palace prepares for a major renovation, it’s great to know this groundwork is in place to ensure a strong, healthy, and safe transition.
SPCC has also earned the GBAC STAR facility accreditation, recognizing its high-level cleaning and maintenance regime, as well as the Gold LEED certification.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, developed by the U.S.
Green Building Council, demonstrate SPCC’s comprehensive strategies for water conservation, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
About Salt Palace Convention Center
The Salt Palace Convention Center is located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
As a premier convention and events facility, the Salt Palace is committed to fostering a resilient and thriving future for people, planet, and prosperity through responsible, forward-thinking operations.
The facility continually evolves its practices to reduce environmental impact, enhance occupant well-being, and contribute meaningfully to global climate solutions.
Owned by Salt Lake County, the Salt Palace Convention Center benefits from ongoing County support for its sustainability and wellness initiatives.
About WELL Health-Safety Rating
TheWELL Health-Safety Rating provides a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators.
It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Task Force on COVID-19, in addition to guidance on the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global disease control and prevention centers and emergency management agencies, as well as recognized standard-making associations such as ASTM International and ASHRAE, and leading academic and research institutions, as well as core principles already established by IWBI’s WELL Building Standard, the premier framework for advancing health in buildings and spaces of all kinds.
