The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce celebrated the businesses that keep Carlsbad and the surrounding region at the forefront of key industries at its Annual Business Awards Dinner, held Friday, Feb. 28 at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
“Spirit of the Twenties: Business is Roaring” was the theme of the ceremony, which honored chamber members whose achievements exemplify the best in innovation, resilience and business excellence.
In keeping with the theme, the event illustrated the industrial optimism of the 1920s — the decade during which the Chamber was formed — and the advancements in science and technology that exist today.
“The roaring ‘20s are a very appropriate theme for this evening,” said Ahmed Haque of NRG Energy, Inc., who serves as the vice chairman of economic development on the Chamber’s board of directors. “They were a break from the past, exciting times with new technologies … making their way to the masses and changing our way of life — and today we’re living in very exciting times as well.”
At the event, the chamber presented awards in the following categories:
Action & Sports Manufacturing: Forecast 3D
Clean Technologies: Sullivan Solar Power
Hospitality & Leisure: Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (tie)
Information & Communication Technology: FMT Consultants
Life Sciences: Thermo Fisher Scientific (formerly Life Technologies Corp.)
Darrell Pilant, VP Operations and Marketing Harrah’s Rincon Casino & ResortHospitality & Leisure award winner Paul McCormick, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa with presenter Warren Ruis, SDG&E (left)Carmen Rene, Thermo Fisher Scientific with Casey Fatch, Tri-City Medical CenterMichael Uzitas, Scripps Health with Tara Kelly, Sullivan Solar Power
Also at the awards dinner, the chamber recognized the achievements of the 2013 board of directors and inaugurated its 2014 board members.
NRG Energy was the event’s presenting sponsor. The other sponsors were Caruso Affiliated, Grand Pacific Resorts, L+L Companies, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, LEGOLAND California Resort, Scripps Health, SDG&E, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tip Top Meats European Delicatessen, Tri-City Medical Center, Wells Fargo and Westfield Carlsbad.
Dan Cohen, co-anchor of CBS News 8 This Morning and CBS News 8 at 11 a.m. served as the master of ceremonies.
Carmen Rene, Thermo Fisher Scientific with Eric Casazza, FMT Consultants
Get to know the 2014 Annual Business Awards Winners
Action & Sports Manufacturing: Forecast 3D
Forecast 3D has been in business since 1994. They have been providing the best in cutting edge technologies and 3-D printing with old world craftsmanship to deliver quality prototype and production components. They were named by Plastics News as one of the top 10 best places to work.
Clean Technologies: Sullivan Solar Power
Since the establishment of Sullivan Solar Power in 2004, the company has been dedicated to the commitment and advocacy of green technology throughout the region. They launched the Carlsbad Solar Program in 2011 and when it concluded; it was the most successful community campaign they had ever run and the largest collective deployment of residential solar power in the county’s history.
Hospitality & Leisure: Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (tie)
Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort
In 2013, Harrah’s created 304 new jobs by adding a new convention center that can accommodate up to 1,000 people and provide a new local concert venue, as a community partner Harrah’s Rincon has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and donations to local charities such as the Angel’s Depot and I Love a Clean San Diego, Relay for Life and a Race for the Cure. They have been recognized for their environmental stewardship, healthiest workplace and AAA four-diamond award.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa was founded in 1965, and has been a valued part of the Carlsbad community – it is known as California’s original destination for mind, body and sport and draws visitors to our beautiful city from around the globe. It has received recognition as the #1 wellness spa in the nation, as well as a top 100 resort spa, a gold medal resort by golf magazine and a top ten family vacation spot by the Travel Channel. They are also enormous supporters of the Carlsbad Chamber’s Outstanding Educational Programs, our local Boys and Girls clubs as well as the Carlsbad Educational Foundation.
Information & Communication Technology: FMT Consultants
FMT Consultants leverage the power of a broad array of software and hardware applications to provide innovative and cost efficient technology solutions. They have been in business for 19 years – they created 15 new jobs last year with a 93 percent retention rate, their projected growth this year is 20 percent over 2013.
Life Sciences: Thermo Fisher Scientific (formerly Life Technologies Corp.)FMT Consultants leverage the power of a broad array of software and hardware applications to provide innovative and cost efficient technology solutions. They have been in business for 19 years – they created 15 new jobs last year with a 93 percent retention rate, their projected growth this year is 20 percent over 2013.
Grounded in science, Life Technologies a brand of Thermo Fisher Scientific believes in the power of science to transform lives. They support scientists worldwide by offering high-quality, innovate life sciences solutions — from everyday essentials to instruments for every lab every application. They are a strong community partner through their global volunteer day where 18,000 hours are volunteered around the world.
@ChamberCarlsbad Thanks so much for an awesome night! We’re honored to have won the IT award! Congrats to all the winners and finalists 🙂
— FMT Consultants (@fmtconsultants) March 3, 2014
