The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has announced nominees for its 31st annual Creative City Awards. The awards ceremony will be held Nov. 5 at the London West Hollywood.
The award categories and the nominees are as follows:
Creative Concept Award
Given to a business that is an innovator of a “cool” new concept, product or service. Nominees are the nightclub DBA and the restaurants Gracias Madre and Laurel Hardware.
Corporate Innovation Award
Given to someone who has “shown creative innovation in their corporate business.” Nominees are the Lift West Hollywood gym, the Kitson clothing store and the Restoration Hardware home furnishings store.
John Chase Art & Design Award
Given to “an innovative business in areas of art, performance art, fashion, design, architecture or any other creative arts realm.” Nominees are Gershon Kelman Pop Photography, Oliver’s Prime restaurant and Gerald David Bauman, creator of Noble Shield jewelry.
Creative Communications Award
Given to a business in the fields of “public relations, marketing, outdoor media, media, branding, televisual arts, copyrighting, technology, social media, graphic design, writing, etc. or a business that has exemplified creative communications.” Nominees are ACE Outdoor Advertising, the billboard company; Off World Entertainment, a consulting firm, and Visit West Hollywood, the city’s tourism and visitor promotion agency.
Creative Attraction Award
Given to any business that “attracts visitors to West Hollywood or caters to the visitor and tourism market.” Nominees are Bikes & Hikes, the bicycle rental business; Mel’s Drive-In and the Sunset Marquis Hotel.
Creative Community Service Award
Given to a “business or individual who has shown exemplary service to the community in philanthropy, or as a volunteer, an ambassador, a nonprofit or a representative of government.” Nominees are the Andaz West Hollywood, the Los Angeles LGBT Center and Wells Fargo bank.
Nominees are chosen only from among the Chamber’s members and only Chamber members may vote on nominees.
The Chamber turned this event over to its membership a few years ago and it is the Members who nominate the businesses – NOT the board! Members vote for the winners also. Chambers of Commerce are membership based organizations and therefore funded by member dues to pay for operations. Yes some of the nominated are board members because they are volunteers and engage with the business community on a regular basis, but not all nominees are board members – but all nominees are member
Isn’t it odd that the nominees are once again members who serve on the chambers board of directors or board of governors. If the chamber is looking for nominees they might want to get out in the community and try nominating somebody new. Same nominees as last year. And in each category it appears that they only nominate themselves.