Santa Monica will celebrate the 22nd annual Sustainable Quality Awards tomorrow at the Le Meridien Delfina Hotel to honor forward-thinking local businesses.
At the event, nearly a dozen local businesses will be honored in various categories for their sustainable approach, including four grand prizes and awards for excellence in economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the environment at the event co-sponsored by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the city of Santa Monica, and Sustainable Works.
“Since 1995, the SQA program has honored 150 businesses for their outstanding leadership in sustainability. Through this celebration, we hope to drive innovation and motivate others to also invest in sustainable practices, and ultimately the future of a sustainable Santa Monica,” said Laurel Rosen, President of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, in a press release last week.
“The city of Santa Monica is proud to honor and applaud each and every one of these businesses’ dedication to maintaining the quality of life in our community,” she said.
The event, which starts at 11 a.m., will feature a keynote address by John Picard, a green architecture and construction advocate who pioneered the sustainability movement in building efficiency and energy.
Picard worked under President Bill Clinton to establish the foundation of what would eventually become the US Green Building Council, which today issues the official LEED designations that rate buildings’ level of environmental sustainability.
The zero-waste event, sponsored by Morley Builders and LAcarGUY, will showcase local restaurants highlighting Santa Monica’s Farmers Market produce. Additional sponsors include Kaiser Permanente and Arizona State University.
SQA grand prize winners this year are:
The Albright, a local family run and operated seafood restaurant “praised for being the first sustainable business on the Santa Monica Pier that continues to inspire a green movement across all businesses on the Pier,” according to Chamber officials.
Apogee Electronics Corporation, which is a manufacturer of digital audio interfaces and audio converters that strives to achieve the most ecofriendly and balanced business possible by minimizing plastic and environmentally harmful components in its products, Chamber officials said.
LivingHomes, a designer and developer of modern prefabricated homes. The homes “combine world-class architecture with an unparalleled commitment to healthy and sustainable construction,” according to officials.
Santa Monica Place – Macerich, the award winning, LEED Gold-certified shopping experience offering a collection of luxury brands, open air dining and entertainment, officials said.
In the category of excellence in stewardship of the environment, Back on the Beach Café, Beautycounter, Red Bull North America, Uplifters Kitchen, and the Water Garden will be taking home and award.
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop and Le MeridienDelfina Hotel will be taking home awards in excellence in economic development and excellence in social responsibility respectively.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit smsqa.com.
