The Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) has been recognized with a prestigious Platinum Adrian Award for “Leadership in Sustainable Tourism” at the 58th Annual Adrian Awards, the largest and most prestigious travel marketing competition globally.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and National Geographic Traveler hosted the awards in New York earlier this week.
SMCVB received the honor for its part in creating the Santa Monica Green Business Certification Program, a voluntary program that encourages businesses to implement environmental practices.
The program is a collaboration between Sustainable Works, SMCVB, the City of Santa Monica and Chamber of Commerce.
Since its inception in 2007, 83 businesses in Santa Monica have received their green certification including six hotels, 22 restaurants and attractions such as the Santa Monica Bike Center, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and Santa Monica Museum of Art.
SMCVB led the charge by becoming the first office in the City of Santa Monica to receive the Santa Monica Green Business Certification and leveraged its communication channels to raise awareness throughout the hospitality sector and visitor audiences.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition on behalf of the Green Certification Program, its founding partners and all Santa Monica green certified businesses,” said Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO/President, Misti Kerns. “Our goal is to help preserve Santa Monica’s natural resources so it can remain a beautiful place to live, work and visit. The support from our hospitality community has been truly inspiring, allowing us to strengthen Santa Monica’s reputation as a top sustainable destination and encourage visitors to make more eco-friendly decisions.”
This year’s contest attracted more than 1,200 entries from around the world, with entries judged by top executives from all sectors of the industry.
The honorees were recognized on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York. Winners will also be featured in an upcoming issue of National Geographic Traveler.
