Welcome to the South Florida Chapter of the USGBC — a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to educating and promoting the benefits of sustainable, energy efficient buildings. Join us in transforming the way our buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, providing an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life of our citizens, children and visitors.

 GalaVerde 2011, South Florida's LEEDership and Green Awards Program -- Presented by Coastal Construction Group -- Wows Attendees!

By all accounts, GalaVerde 2011 was a fantastic success!  A handsome crowd of more than 400 attendees turned out on August 27 to recognize and honor those outstanding projects, inspirational businesses, dedicated individuals, and instrumental Chapter members who are LEEDing the way to a more sustainable built environment in our South Florida community.

Keynote speaker Manny Diaz (right), the former "green" mayor of the City of Miami, wowed the audience with an entertaining, inspirational address that drew a standing ovation.  Jeff Burnside, award-winning environmental reporter from NBC 6 in Miami, did an outstanding job as our emcee for the evening, and comedian Forrest Shaw had attendees rolling in the aisles with his take on sustainability, the environment and life.  The silent auction and cocktail reception got strong thumbs-up reviews ... attendees loved the complimentary photos ... and one would be hard-pressed, indeed, to attend an event that had stronger networking or more smiling faces.

All in all, GalaVerde 2011, sponsored by Coastal Construction Group, rocked!



Award Winners

Outstanding LEED NC Project
Sponsored by Trane


Outstanding LEED CI Project
Sponsored by Crossroads
Architecture


Outstanding LEED CS Project
Sponsored by The Spinnaker Group


Outstanding LEED EB Project
Sponsored by Trane


Outstanding LEED 
Multi-Family 
Sponsored by E3 Building Sciences


Outstanding LEED for Homes/Single Family 


Outstanding LEED for Retail
No Sponsor


Outstanding LEED for Schools Project
Sponsored by Coastal Construction


Outstanding Community LEEDer
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises




Outstanding Green Business
Sponsored by GSD Contracting


Outstanding Green Government


Outstanding Green Elected Official



Thanks to Our Judges ... and About GalaVerde Judging

Judging of almost 50 detailed, anonymous entries (including LEED Certification) was a cumbersome task, but our judges -- green-building experts all and none from the South Florida community -- did an extraordinary job.  Each judged several categories and put in hours on the assignment, and it is with extreme gratitude that the USGBC South Florida Chapter thanks the following individuals who made up our judging team:

From the Central Florida Chapter of the USGBC:
Michelle DeLora, Robin Dowsey, Mike Hess

From the Florida-Capital Region Chapter of the USGBC:
Marc Dick

From the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC:
Jenn McAlister

From the Heart of Florida Chapter of the USGBC:
Karrie Felder, Aimee Frey

From the North Florida Chapter of the USGBC:
Ellen Reed

GalaVerde Hall of Fame

Outstanding LEED NC Project
2010 -- One Harvard Circle / Suffolk SE Region Headquarters
2011 -- FAU College of Engineering & Computer Science


Outstanding LEED CI Project
2010 -- co-winner:  SEQUIL Systems, Inc. Office
            co-winner:  HOK Miami Office
2011 -- co-winner:  DHL Global Forwarding at MICC
            co-winner:  Lexus Florida Training Center


Outstanding LEED CS Project
2010 -- EcoPlex at Centrepark West
2011 -- co-winner:  1450 Brickell
            co-winner:  Wells Fargo Center


Outstanding LEED EB Project
2010 -- Wachovia Financial Center
2011 -- 110 Tower


Outstanding LEED Multi-Family Project
2010 -- n/a
2011 -- NW Gardens I


Outstanding LEED for Homes/Single Family Project 
2010 -- HGTV 2009 Green Home
2011 -- GlassHouse by Zahn Development


Outstanding LEED for Retail Project
2010 -- n/a
2011 -- Pizza Fusion / Weston


Outstanding LEED for Schools Project
2010 -- St. Andrews School Moabury Early Years Learning Center
2011 -- St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School


Outstanding Community LEEDer
2010 -- Joseph Sanches (School District of Palm Beach County)
2011 -- Rob Hink (The Spinnaker Group)


Outstanding Green Business
2010 -- Pirtle Construction
2011 -- The Spinnaker Group


Outstanding Green Government
2010 -- Miami-Dade County
2011 -- City of Boynton Beach


Outstanding Green Elected Official
2010 -- Commissioner Doug Coward (St. Lucie County)
2011 -- Commissioner Kristin Jacob (Broward County)


To access more pictures, as well as videos of presentations and speeches, scroll to the top of the column at right
and follow copy to links.
Pictures, Videos Show Off Event

In addition to the complimentary pictures taken of and presented to attendees, photos and videos were also taken throughout the awards ceremony. 

Click here to access the link to the pictures.  There are two pages of images -- the first contains the images from the cocktail hour's "Green Screen" shots; the second contains the awards-ceremony images.  All images are freely downloadable by simply right-clicking on an image and then selecting "Save Picture As" and saving to the desktop or any hard-drive folder.

Click on the applicable link below to access videos related to:


Be Part of the Party for 2012!  Gala Planning, Sponsor Pursuit Ramping Up!


Planning for GalaVerde 2012 started the week after the event with a constructive look at how we can better the evening for our guests and sponsors.  If you are interested in volunteering, sponsorships, donating silent auction items, advertising in the gala program, or anything else, please contact Robert Cannellos, GalaVerde 2012 Chair, or Lee Cooke, the Chapter's Executive Director. 

Thanks Again to our Title and Gold Sponsors -- Coastal Construction Group and Siemens

Coastal Construction is ranked among the top 10 construction management companies in the Southeast Region.  With a distinguished roster of public and private clients, the award-winning Coastal Construction Group operates primarily in Florida and is focused on nine primary areas of expertise:  commercial, hospitality, education, residential, mixed-use, interiors, worship, historic restoration, and disaster recovery.  The company has delivered several world-class facilities to South Florida, including 1450 Brickell, Barcardi Headquarters, Compson Place, Interval International, and Camillus House.  To learn more about the title sponsorship, download the press release here.  To learn more about Coast Construction Group, click on the logo above- right.

 

Siemens is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors.  For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a sterling reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions.  With its U.S. corporate headquarters in Washington, DC, Siemens in the USA reported sales of $19.9 billion and employs more than 60,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.  To learn more about Siemens, click on the logo above-right.

 

Again -- and with deep appreciation from our entire volunteer leadership and membership -- the USGBC South Florida Chapter sincerely thanks Coastal Construction Group and Siemens for their magnanimous support of GalaVerde 2011.


Other Key Sponsors

In addition to the Award-specific sponsors noted at right and our title Sponsor, Coastal Construction Group, several other outstanding companies are due our nonprofit organization's sincere thanks:

Thanks to our Table Sponsors

Companies and organizations that bought tables for GalaVerde not only greatly benefited the fundraising event, but also received priority seating, discounted seats, table signage, recognition in the program, and promotion on the Chapter website ... including this post-party thanks! 

Things Green at GalaVerde 2011
  • The program was printed on Mohawk Options I-Tone 100PC White Cover and 30PC text, FSC recycled.  The stock was also made with wind power and is Green Seal Certified.  (Southeastern Printing printed and donated the program.)
  • The Awards presented were crafted in Virginia from FSC-certified domestic maple from well-managed forests.  With forms that evoke a grain of wheat in its husk, the Harvest Awards reminded us of the abundance of nature and the preciousness of our environment.  The Awards were made in a facility that purchases carbon offsets to offset 100% of its energy use. (Rivanna Natural Designs created the awards.)
  • Paperless sponsorship and ticket sales.
  • Paperless registration process.
  • Table cards printed on Mohawk Options I-Tone 100PC White Cover, FSC recycled.  (Printed and donated by Southeastern Printing.)
  • Adaptive orchids used as centerpieces, meant to be taken home by one guest per table.  (From Orchids.com) Paperless award nomination and jury review process.
  • Nametag lanyards made from recycled PET plastic which comes from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles ... and were made in the USA. (From EcoBrander Promos.)
  • Backing on the nametag holders made from recycled vinyl ... and were made in the USA.  (From EcoBrander Promos.)
  • Wine bottles were recycled.
  • All beverages were served in reusable glassware.
  • Reusable linens were used throughout the event.
  • Venue in central location for Chapter’s region, and public transportation to venue was available.
  • Renewable Choice Energy donated carbon offsets and renewable energy credits to offset the carbon emissions generated from attendees’ travel and the electricity used during GalaVerde.  This donation of carbon offsets and renewable energy credits (RECs) helped avoid up to 13,261 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution. This is similar to planting 55 mature trees or not driving 13,395 miles in an average car.