The Santa Monica Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) has announced a record-breaking number of nominations and applicants for the 19th Annual Sustainable Quality Awards Program.
A total of 48 Santa Monica businesses were nominated and a minimum of 20 businesses have confirmed their applications for the 2014 program including local icons such as the Shore Hotel, Yahoo!, and the Rustic Canyon Family of Restaurants with Huckleberry Café & Bakery, Milo and Olive, and Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen.
Applicants boast a variety of sustainability efforts and initiatives from meeting U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold certification standards, rooftop solar panel installations, and facility-wide food waste composting programs.
Applicants attended a special kick-off event to learn more about the application process on Thursday, Jan. 16 hosted in the LAcarGUY Lexus of Santa Monica showroom.
Each year, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, City of Santa Monica, and Sustainable Works come together to identify and recognize Santa Monica businesses that have successfully incorporated sustainable practices into their operations.
By recognizing these achievements, the Santa Monica Chamber Environmental Affairs Committee looks to educate and inspire local businesses to adopt sustainable practices and support Santa Monica as a sustainable community providing residents and visitors with a strong economy and healthy environment.
SQA winners will be announced in March and formally recognized during a special luncheon award presentation scheduled for April 30, 2014 at Le Meridien Delfina Hotel in Santa Monica.
The award presentation and luncheon will also showcase sustainable bites from local chefs during a special networking hour.
Pre-paid tickets are $50 for Chamber members and $60 for non-members. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting smsqa.com or reserve tickets by calling 310.393.9825.
Event sponsorship or exhibitor information is available on smchamber.com/sqa.
