A prestigious gathering of local business leaders, elected officials, and nonprofit heads took place on Friday, February 21, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort for the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Membership Meeting and Regional Business Awards Gala.
The evening began with a glamorous red-carpet photo session and networking opportunities, followed by a banquet dinner and the awards ceremony. Outgoing Chamber Chairperson Anne Pazier, owner of Santa Barbara Gift Baskets, kicked off the event alongside Chamber President & CEO Kristen Miller. Afterward, they passed the gavel to incoming Chair Randy Berg, a dedicated advocate for a more stable electric grid on the South Coast, which is crucial for the area’s growing tech sector.
Kristen Miller highlighted the importance of the event, saying, “These businesses, organizations, and leaders exemplify the best of the South Coast, and their stories inspire us all to continue building a thriving and vibrant region together.”
The evening also featured speeches from local elected officials, including Congressmember Salud Carbajal, Goleta City Councilmember James Kyriaco, Santa Barbara City Councilmembers Oscar Gutierrez, Kristen Sneddon, and Eric Friedman, Mayor Randy Rowse, and newly elected councilmember Wendy Santamaria. The attendees enjoyed a three-course dinner and drinks while applauding the recipients of the evening’s awards:
- Large Business of the Year: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (law firm)
- Small Business of the Year: Events by Rincon
- Milestone Business Award: Montecito Bank & Trust
- Nonprofit of the Year: Storyteller Children’s Center
- Hospitality Business of the Year: The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
- Community Impact Award: Santa Barbara Independent
- Historical Preservation Award: Santa Barbara Historical Museum
- Visionary Arts Leadership Award: Celesta M. Billeci, Miller McCune Executive Director of UCSB Arts & Lectures
The event was a resounding success, honoring the strength, innovation, and resilience of local businesses and organizations, while fostering further growth and community collaboration.
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