On May 11, about 700 people converged on the Rotunda at the Fess Parker Doubletree hotel for the 23rd annual South Coast Business & Technology Awards. The event was started in 1995 by local business leaders who wanted to recognize the achievements of individuals and companies making an extraordinary commitment to the region’s economy. A volunteer Steering Committee nominates and selects the honorees and secures sponsorship support.
Since 2001, proceeds from the event have gone to the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara (SFSB) for scholarships for students studying business and technology-related fields at area colleges. This year’s event raised more than $270,000 and in the past 17 years, more than $2 million has been awarded to more than 900 students. The SFSB does not charge an administrative fee to manage the funds raised by this event -- all proceeds go directly to student scholarships.
After an extended networking session over cocktails in the Rotunda, guests were seated in the Grand Ballroom where they were welcomed by Steering Committee Co-chairs Arnold Brier and Renee Grubb.