I attended the 2009 Ebbies Awards where Excellence in Business were recognized by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.  With the economic downturn, there was a spirit of optimism in the air as mostly small businesses were be commended for innovation and forward thinking measures that addressed environmental and community issues while still experiencing growth and profitability.

There was this spirit of  of social and community responsibility echoed in conversations and in the speeches given among the business people who attended.  It was refreshing.  The format of the event was changed this year going from a sit down dinner format  to a format of a separate awards ceremony followed by a buffet style networking mixer .  It was a great way for everyone to meet everyone else.  It was a fun way to network!

 

Among the awards given out during the night were the Building San

Francisco Award, Small Business Award, Innovation Through Technology Award, Economic Development Award, Emerging Growth Award, and Excellence in Business Award.

One of the winners included, the Spur Urban Center,which took the Building San Francisco Award. Designed by Pfau Long Architecture they provide public space for leaders to convene and collaborate on the revitalization of the city. The materials used were green and and innovative.

Another  winner was Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation who won the Emerging Growth Award who operates the world’s most eco-friendly, full transportation company.

Burr Pilger Mayer (BPM) a long time regional accounting and consulting firm took home the big Excellence in Business Award.

I have included video of the events of the evening captured from my  iPhone below.