At the 41st annual West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Creative Business Awards, outgoing President and CEO Genevieve Morrill took the stage for what would be her final CBA after 16 years producing the event almost two decades of service to the Chamber.
Speaking before a packed ballroom, Morrill reflected on the people, partnerships, and moments that helped shape West Hollywood’s business community and her own journey with it. What followed was part farewell, part celebration, and captured Genevieve’s one of a kind spirt!
“What a crowd, and welcome to the 41st Creative Business Awards. This is a special event for me, as it is my last CBA with you — I’ve produced 16 and attended 9 others as a board member.
A rare sighting, but my husband is here tonight! He puts up with a lot, as you can imagine — I love you, honey!
I first have to thank my incredible team. Over the years, I’ve worked with many, but this group is truly the best. Nalani Santiago — five years with me, my right hand and internal voice — your passion for the Chamber and our mission keeps me grounded. Jamie Wilson, your heart and care for our members have inspired me daily for the past three years. Andrea Entz, our fearless administrator — you rise to every challenge with authenticity and courage. John Baptist Godard, our financial rock since 1999 — you’ve been my confidant, my partner through thick and thin, especially during COVID, when it was just you and me. To all of Team WHCC — you all inspire me to lead with integrity and never stop striving for better.
To all my Chairs, past and present — Raja, Woody, Nick, Keith, Alan, Joan, Hany — you’ve guided this Chamber through major challenges. You’ve been fierce advocates, even when it came at personal risk to your own businesses. Thank you for your courage and leadership. And to our Board of Directors, past and present — your vision and leadership make everything we do possible.
When I came to West Hollywood in 1999, Abbe Land, Jeff Prang, John Heilman, Steve Martin, and Sal Guarriello were on the City Council, and Paul Arevalo was our City Manager. Charles Cohen hired me right after he bought the building. He basically said he hired me because I was a pain in the ass and tenacious in my pursuit of the job. What can I say? I’m a bit insane.
Mayor Byers — I’m inspired by your values and the integrity you bring to leadership. Vice Mayor Heilman — after 25 years of friendship and debate, I respect you deeply. Councilmember Erickson — from intern to leader, you’re destined for great things. Councilmember Hang — thank you for your support of our businesses. Councilmember Meister — who’d have thought we’d be friends? Even when we disagree, you’ve always stood up for our hotels and small businesses, and I’m grateful.
To David, Jackie, Danny, Laura, Paolo, Christine, and all the City staff — thank you! To the many others — Nick, Yvonne, Cleo, Megan, Steve, Jessica, Jenny, Natalie, Michele, Janet, Adrian, Jennifer, Ben, and of course the hardworking City Clerks — Melissa, Alyssa, and the rest. They deal with so much from our public during Council meetings, including my annoying texts and emails!
We are grateful to our BID partners. We continue to grow and make our districts known as international destinations. Thank you, Greg Rang, Executive Director for the West Hollywood Design District and its Board of Directors, as well as Board Vice Chair Christopher Klapp with Petrossian. WHDD’s Chair, Caitlin Penny, is busy giving birth to twins at the moment! And good luck to Marco and Gary for their nomination for giving back to the community — well-deserved. Also, Trans Can Work in that category — we need organizations like Trans Can Work more than ever to protect our trans community members and what is happening in this current administration.
Brett Latteri, Chair of the Sunset Strip and its Board of Directors, and our amazing partner, West Hollywood Travel & Tourism — President and CEO Tom Kiely, CMO Jeff Morris, and their entire team — we couldn’t do it without you.
Special thanks to Greg Stuart, Chief Executive of Harmony Solutions International, who works with our team to keep us on track and on goal. And I just have to shout out to his wife, Elaine — a childhood friend of mine for at least 50 years! Thank you to Ted Green, who I hired over 12 years ago as our Legislative Counsel. He kept us apprised of policies important to our business community, and I am grateful for his service
This is the best auction we have ever had, thanks to Andrea Entz and her Special Events Committee members — especially Marjorie Dick Stuart and Jacqueline Fitzgerald, who rallied every week to bring you this amazing auction — our Vice Chair of Special Events, Jacob Shaw, and other silent auction wranglers.
Congratulations to all of our nominees — your innovation, creativity, and passion define West Hollywood. Whether you take home the trophy or not, tonight is about celebrating entrepreneurship, excellence, and community.
To our Legacy Honoree, The h.wood Group — you’ve become an institution here. Years ago, John Terzian said your company made a conscious choice to open every venue in West Hollywood, and what a gift that’s been. You’ve redefined hospitality, creating spaces that bring people together and fuel our local economy. Thank you for believing in West Hollywood and continuing to lead with creativity and vision.
This event is one of our most important fundraisers, and I thank all our partners, vendors, and clients with whom I’ve been blessed to share many proud moments: working on César Pelli’s vision for the Red Building; bringing in MOCA and Wolfgang Puck; and, hosting events like the HBO Emmy Party, the Elton John Oscar Party, and Rewarding Lives, the Annie Leibovitz exhibit after 9/11. We transformed spaces, reimagined design, and built a legacy of creativity.
In 2010, I told the board I would serve as Interim Director for one year — and here we are, 15 years later. At the Chamber, we’ve evolved our board to reflect our diverse business community, doubled staff, tripled our budget, revamped events like this one, and launched a 501(c)(3) Small Business Foundation. During the pandemic, we became first responders for the business community. Some of my proudest moments were helping hundreds of businesses survive by providing resources and information. We held weekly Zoom meetings for almost two years, which continue monthly to this day.
We co-founded the California Coalition for a Safe Reopening and launched the My WEHO: Keep WeHo Open campaign. We published our Small Business Initiative outlining how cities can attract and sustain small businesses. Our newest initiative, WeLead Academy, is empowering LGBTQ+ and BIPOC entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses right here in West Hollywood.
I am so grateful for the years, the people, and the relationships I cherish. Save the date for our Holiday Mixer — a great celebration to close out the year — on December 10th at the Sofitel Hotel.
I believe our CEO Search Committee has narrowed it down. I hear Larry Block is out there fishing for more information on the candidate for my replacement at the Chamber — hold tight, Larry, we’ll announce soon.
We could not do this without your help. These events help us operate and continue serving our businesses.
We give a humongous thank-you to our Ringmaster Presenting Sponsor, Beverly Center, whose history is part of West Hollywood and featured in our Centennial Book coming out this December! Discounts available for pre-sales. And thank you to Gregory Firlotte for all his hard work authoring this masterpiece.
A new brick-and-mortar business in West Hollywood, but not a new brand — Meta is our Big Top Toastmaster Reception and Silent Auction sponsor. The staff came up with a clever game: Pin the Meta Smart Glasses on Gen for a chance to win prizes.
We are forever grateful to Cedars-Sinai for their continued annual support and for being one of our Flying Innovator sponsors (you see a theme here), as well as the Sunset Strip Business Improvement District.
Our CBA Grand Finale After Hours sponsor is Capitol Drugs, with support from a partnership with h.wood’s Harriet’s; Applause Maker Award sponsors, Visit West Hollywood and Netflix.
And our thanks to our Creative Catalyst sponsors: Athens Services, Beverly Connection, West Hollywood Design District, Orange Barrel Media, Sunset Marquis, The Lot at Formosa, Trans Can Work, and WEHOonline.
Our beverages tonight are courtesy of Pink Dot — thanks, Sol! There is never a WeHo event without Leslie Barclay repping Ketel One, and Kristin Clark with Casamigos. And I can never say thank you enough times to Annette Zeller, Director of Catering, and 1 Hotel’s General Manager, Ingrid Braun, for their generosity. Our delicious appetizers and dinner are prepared by the amazing Chef Ginger Pierce.
Thanks to you all!
Today was produced by Chamber members (logos slide): Chris Isaacson Presents, 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Ruben Esparza of Red Studios; Zoo Crew is your videographer; Willa Cutolo, photography in the house. Also, a shout-out to the Kraze Agency for all their social media and newsletter support, and to Sunset Strip — Ballantine’s and Lucky Break PR! Our Wine Toss tonight is sponsored by V Wine Room — and thank you to Kohler.
And thanks to all of you who purchased tickets, tables, and ads in the program. Now, enjoy your dinner!”
Morrill’s remarks landed with the mix of honesty and humor and a well deserved standing ovation.
Very lovely.
As with the relationship you described with Councilmember Meister, ours was unlikely. But we found common ground on our love of our local businesses and forged a friendship that always overcame any disagreements. You will be sorely missed by so many of us here in West Hollywood. I wish you all the best.
Its been a long strange trip but Gen always brought grace and dedication to one of the most difficult jobs in West Hollywood. She had an ability to build bridges and herd cats. She ends her tenure on a high note.