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Green Businesses Honored by Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce

By Jason Islas
Lookout reporter

March 20, 2014 — Perry’s at the Beach and Phelps marketing agency will take home Santa Monica’s top award for environmentally-friendly business practices this year, the Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday.

Culled from a record-breaking number of nominees, Perry’s and Phelps were awarded the Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) Grand Prize “for combined excellence in three areas: economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the natural environment,” Chamber officials said.

Thirteen other businesses, which each had notable achievements in at least one of the three areas, will also be honored along with the two grand prize winners at a special event in April.

“The SQA is the oldest and most rigorous sustainable business award in Southern California,” said Shannon Parry, deputy sustainability officer for Santa Monica’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment.

Among the SQA “Excellence Winners” are Bike and Park Santa Monica, the bayside city’s full-service bike center, which won for excellence in economic development.

Two years after the facility — the largest in the U.S. — opened, it has been hailed as a huge success. (“Two Years Later, Santa Monica Bike Center is ‘Huge Success,’” November 22, 2013)

For achievements in the category of “Social Responsibility,” Bryan Cave LLP, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Red Bull North America, Santa Monica Daily Press, Shore Hotel and Yahoo, Inc. will also be honored.

The Digital Difference, Hostelling International LA/Santa Monica, Huckleberry Café, Bakery & Catering, the Santa Monica Museum of Art and the Shore Hotel all will be honored for their achievements in “Stewardship of the Environment.”

“We congratulate the past and current winners on their exemplary leadership,” said Parry. This year’s group of honorees comes from a record-breaking pool of 48 applicants.

In the event’s 19-year history, 115 businesses have been honored through the SQA program, City officials said.

Increased interest in the program — and the bragging rights that come with winning the award — shows a growing concern with environmentally-sustainable practices among businesses, officials said.

 This year’s award ceremony will be held on April 30 at Award Luncheon at Le Meridien Delfina Hotel.

For event tickets and sponsorship information, visit smchamber.com/sqa. For any additional information, contact Carl Hansen at (310) 393-9825 x116.

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