Lots of kudos this month, so let's get right to it.
First of all, KUDOS to that wonderful new LEGOLAND Hotel. I was at the grand opening ceremony and can report that this is a great addition to the LEGOLAND California Resort. No detail was spared, from the hundreds of minifigures that adorn the check-in lobby (you can see them magnified with the wheels of a bike that moves back and forth along the back of the lobby) to the elevator that blasts disco music and a strobe light for what has to be the funkiest elevator trip ever.
More than anything, this is a great addition to Carlsbad, with its added jobs, its boost to the economy and for making our beloved theme park a multi-day destination.
KUDOS to Tri-City Medical Center, which has been named one of "100 Great Hospitals in America" by the editors of Becker's Hospital Review. Tri-City was recognizeed "as an innovator in medical treatments, research, technology and care delivery as well as an anchor of health in the country," according to a press release.
"Tri-City Medical Center continually promotes the value of innovation in healthcare services," the publication stated. "For instance, this past summer, a Tri-City orthopedic surgeon performed the first vitamin E total knee replacement in San Diego County. Tri-City is also adapting to new delivery models. The hospital's Accountable Care Organization, North Coast Medical ACO, was the only one in San Diego chosen to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings ACO program in the summer of 2012."
"We're very proud to be providing our community with the most advanced healthcare procedures and wellness programs," said Tri-City Medical Center CEO Larry Anderson. "Considering how many hospitals there are across the country, to be named to this list is quite special because it includes many of the most prestigious healthcare institutions in the world. Our physicians, nurses and staff work tirelessly, and I am so pleased that their efforts have been recognized with this distinction."
KUDOS to SDG&E, which was recently honored with the a Supply Chain Leadership Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Center for Corporate Climate Leadership for its push for sustainability.
According to the center, "SDG&E has demonstrated supply chain leadership both externally and internally. In 2010, SDG&E began including sustainability questions in most of the utility's high-value Requests for Proposals, and in 2012, the company began to give those questions weight in contract award decision making. SDG&E has also collaborated with suppliers to use more responsible products, including the increased use of waste fly ash in concrete, environmentally friendly utility poles, and right-sized lengths of electrical cable. Internally, SDG&E has engaged employees through measures such as a the establishment of green goals for all supply management staff, implementing a minimum order requirement to reduce packaging and transportation, and Department Sustainability Awards, which recognize notable achievements in supply chain sustainability. SDG&E has developed a mature governance structure for supply chain sustainability, creating a Supply Chain Manager position to oversee SDG&E's Supplier Relationship Management and Supply Chain Sustainability programs, a Supply Management Sustainability Team, and a Sustainable Purchasing Policy."
SDG&E has also created a GHG reduction goal, aiming for a 20 percent intensity reduction by 2016 from a 2010 baseline. To meet this goal, SDG&E will continue to invest in renewable energy and end its only remaining contract with a coal-fired power plant. SDG&E has shown commitment to low-carbon energy sources beyond state mandates, growing its contracts for renewable energy from 550 GWh in 2003 to 3,380 GWh in 2011. SDG&E has also continued to make progress on a goal to reduce fleet vehicle emissions 15 percent by 2012 compared to a 2007 baseline of 20,179 metric tons of CO2e."
In a related note, and with the recent celebration of Earth Day, KUDOS to all of our Chamber members that go out of their way to embrace sustainability. There's a lot of notable examples, and our sustainability committee does a great job of highlighting them at the Business is Green Expo and the Green Bus Tour, but I came along a great list of what the La Costa Resort and Spa is doing to reduce its carbon footprint:
Recycle – In 2012 alone, La Costa Resort and Spa processed 680,000 pounds of recycled material – much of this success came from understanding what materials are recyclable and how to process them properly.
Grow & Eat Local – La Costa chefs have proudly served the freshest cuisine to guests, both by utilizing herbs grown right here on property, and visiting local farmers markets in the area.
Composting – In 2012, La Costa Resort prevented 180,000 pounds of food waste from going into the landfills.
First of all, KUDOS to that wonderful new LEGOLAND Hotel. I was at the grand opening ceremony and can report that this is a great addition to the LEGOLAND California Resort. No detail was spared, from the hundreds of minifigures that adorn the check-in lobby (you can see them magnified with the wheels of a bike that moves back and forth along the back of the lobby) to the elevator that blasts disco music and a strobe light for what has to be the funkiest elevator trip ever.
More than anything, this is a great addition to Carlsbad, with its added jobs, its boost to the economy and for making our beloved theme park a multi-day destination.
KUDOS to Tri-City Medical Center, which has been named one of "100 Great Hospitals in America" by the editors of Becker's Hospital Review. Tri-City was recognizeed "as an innovator in medical treatments, research, technology and care delivery as well as an anchor of health in the country," according to a press release.
"Tri-City Medical Center continually promotes the value of innovation in healthcare services," the publication stated. "For instance, this past summer, a Tri-City orthopedic surgeon performed the first vitamin E total knee replacement in San Diego County. Tri-City is also adapting to new delivery models. The hospital's Accountable Care Organization, North Coast Medical ACO, was the only one in San Diego chosen to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings ACO program in the summer of 2012."
"We're very proud to be providing our community with the most advanced healthcare procedures and wellness programs," said Tri-City Medical Center CEO Larry Anderson. "Considering how many hospitals there are across the country, to be named to this list is quite special because it includes many of the most prestigious healthcare institutions in the world. Our physicians, nurses and staff work tirelessly, and I am so pleased that their efforts have been recognized with this distinction."
KUDOS to SDG&E, which was recently honored with the a Supply Chain Leadership Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Center for Corporate Climate Leadership for its push for sustainability.
According to the center, "SDG&E has demonstrated supply chain leadership both externally and internally. In 2010, SDG&E began including sustainability questions in most of the utility's high-value Requests for Proposals, and in 2012, the company began to give those questions weight in contract award decision making. SDG&E has also collaborated with suppliers to use more responsible products, including the increased use of waste fly ash in concrete, environmentally friendly utility poles, and right-sized lengths of electrical cable. Internally, SDG&E has engaged employees through measures such as a the establishment of green goals for all supply management staff, implementing a minimum order requirement to reduce packaging and transportation, and Department Sustainability Awards, which recognize notable achievements in supply chain sustainability. SDG&E has developed a mature governance structure for supply chain sustainability, creating a Supply Chain Manager position to oversee SDG&E's Supplier Relationship Management and Supply Chain Sustainability programs, a Supply Management Sustainability Team, and a Sustainable Purchasing Policy."
SDG&E has also created a GHG reduction goal, aiming for a 20 percent intensity reduction by 2016 from a 2010 baseline. To meet this goal, SDG&E will continue to invest in renewable energy and end its only remaining contract with a coal-fired power plant. SDG&E has shown commitment to low-carbon energy sources beyond state mandates, growing its contracts for renewable energy from 550 GWh in 2003 to 3,380 GWh in 2011. SDG&E has also continued to make progress on a goal to reduce fleet vehicle emissions 15 percent by 2012 compared to a 2007 baseline of 20,179 metric tons of CO2e."
In a related note, and with the recent celebration of Earth Day, KUDOS to all of our Chamber members that go out of their way to embrace sustainability. There's a lot of notable examples, and our sustainability committee does a great job of highlighting them at the Business is Green Expo and the Green Bus Tour, but I came along a great list of what the La Costa Resort and Spa is doing to reduce its carbon footprint:
Recycle – In 2012 alone, La Costa Resort and Spa processed 680,000 pounds of recycled material – much of this success came from understanding what materials are recyclable and how to process them properly.
Grow & Eat Local – La Costa chefs have proudly served the freshest cuisine to guests, both by utilizing herbs grown right here on property, and visiting local farmers markets in the area.
Composting – In 2012, La Costa Resort prevented 180,000 pounds of food waste from going into the landfills.