SALT LAKE CITY CONVENTION FACILITY ACHIEVES WELL HEALTH-SAFETY RATING
(SALT LAKE CITY, September 3, 2025) – The Salt Palace Convention Center (SPCC) has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), making it the only convention center in the world to currently hold this prestigious designation.
The third–party–verified rating recognizes excellence in operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement, and emergency preparedness. More than 4,500 projects globally have achieved the standard, but SPCC, managed by Legends/ASM Global, is unique among convention centers.
“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,” said 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.”
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 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,” said 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 significantly strengthened its emergency preparedness and communications. Among other requirements, the center assessed its emergency response plan, ensuring annual reviews, the maintenance of critical safety equipment, and specialized procedures for vulnerable populations, including 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,” said Lindsay Arell, CEO of 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.”
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 situated in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. 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.
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About WELL Health-Safety Rating
The WELL 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.
International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL Portfolio, WELL Portfolio Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Workforce, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.
