Sustainable Business Awards Program in Southern California Announces the 2014 Winners

March 27, 2014 - PRLog -- The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa Monica and Sustainable Works are pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA). Winners will be honored during a special luncheon award presentation scheduled for April 30, 2014 at Le Meridien Delfina Hotel in Santa Monica.

Each year,the SQA recognizes Santa Monica businesses that have successfully incorporated sustainable practices into their operations. The SQAs are intended to educate and inspire local businesses to adopt sustainable practices and support Santa Monica as a sustainable community. The SQA has recognized over 125 businesses since the program launched in 1995.

The 19th Annual Awards Luncheon event will honor the 2014 winners as well as feature a special keynote presentation by Dr. Michael Crooke, Former CEO of Patagonia, Inc., Assistant Professor of Strategy, Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University, and Avamere Professor of Practice, Lundquist College of Business at University of Oregon.

Attendees of the awards luncheon are also invited to attend an exciting pre-event "Sustainable Bites" networking hour prepared by Santa Monica chefs including past SQA winners Tiato & An Catering and Bru's Wiffle. In addition, bites will be provided by Back on the Beach/Back on Broadway, Upper West, and culinary students from The Art Institute of California.

"The SQA is the oldest and most rigorous sustainable business award in Southern California" says Shannon Parry, Deputy Sustainability Officer for the Office of Sustainability and the Environment for the City of Santa Monica. "We congratulate the past and current winners on their exemplary leadership. The SQA program, honoring over 115 businesses since 1995, allows us to applaud and highlight how each and every one of these companies makes a difference. By recognizing their achievements, we hope to inspire other businesses to adopt their own sustainable practices, thus helping Santa Monica become a model sustainable community," says Parry.

The Sustainable Quality Awards Grand Prize is awarded to businesses for combined excellence in three areas: economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the natural environment. "Excellence" awards are given to outstanding achievements in any one of the three areas.

The 2014 Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) announces two SQA Grand Prize winners and eleven Excellence winners in the following categories:

SQA Grand Prize Winners

Perry's at the Beach

Phelps

SQA Excellence Winners

Bike and Park Santa Monica - Economic Development

Bryan Cave LLP - Social Responsibility

The Digital Difference - Stewardship of the Environment

Hostelling International LA/ Santa Monica - Stewardship of the Environment

Huckleberry Café, Bakery & Catering - Stewardship of the Environment

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel - Social Responsibility

Red Bull North America - Social Responsibility

Santa Monica Daily Press - Social Responsibility

The Santa Monica Museum of Art - Stewardship of the Environment

Shore Hotel - Social Responsibility & Stewardship of the Environment

Yahoo, Inc. - Social Responsibility

The SQA would like to thank LEED Sponsors, Morley Builders and LAcarGUY for their continued support of the event. Also demonstrating their commitment to sustainability, Environmental Steward Sponsors include Allan Company, Pacific Park, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas.

Event Details

SQA winners will be formally recognized during a special luncheon award presentation scheduled for April 30, 2014 starting at 11:00 a.m. at Le Meridien Delfina Hotel in Santa Monica. Pre-paid tickets are $50 for Chamber members and $60 for non-members. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting www.smsqa.com or reserve tickets by calling 310.393.9825.

Event sponsorship or exhibitor information is available on www.smchamber.com/sqa.

For more information on the Sustainable Quality Awards program visit www.smsqa.com.

Sustainable Works' Business Greening Program

Eleven of the thirteen SQA Winners participated in the Sustainable Works' Business Greening Program. Eight of the thirteen winners achieved Santa Monica Green Business Certification. The Business Greening Program is a free service for businesses located within Santa Monica and provides the SQA with several strong candidates each year.

Contact Sustainable Works for more information or sign up here.

For additional background information watch this video.

Press Contact:

Shannon Parry

shannon.parry@smgov.net

310.458.2227