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 and visitors.

GalaVerde 2012, South Florida's LEEDership and Green Awards Program -- Presented by Coastal Construction Group -- Wows Attendees!

By all accounts, GalaVerde 2012 was a fantastic success!  A handsome crowd of nearly 350 attendees turned
out on September 15 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.

George Bandy Jr., Vice-President of Interface, was inspirational as keynote speaker, and Tim Center, Executive Director of Sustainable Florida and Principal of Centerfield Strategy, kept
the evening moving and more than 350 attendees entertained. 

The Silent Auction (bidding via cell phones) and Sponsors Receiption got thumbs-up reviews from attendees, and one
would be hard-pressed, indeed, to attend an program that had stronger networking or more smiling faces.

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


GalaVerde Awards Winners

Outstanding LEED CI  
Sponsored by Resource 4 Floors
« Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering –
Food Service Venue

Outstanding LEED CS
Sponsored by The Spinnaker Group
« International Finance Bank

Outstanding LEED EB
Sponsored by Trane
« 701 Brickell

Outstanding LEED for Homes – Multi-Family
Sponsored by E3 Building Sciences
« East Village Apartments

Outstanding LEED for Homes – Single Family
Sponsored by Abney + Abney Green Solutions
« Hillcrest

Outstanding LEED for Schools
Sponsored by Carlisle Development Group
« Plumosa School of the Arts K-5 Building

Outstanding LEED NC -- Public
Sponsored by Trane
« Young at Art Museum and Broward County Library

Outstanding LEED NC -- High-Rise Residential 
Sponsored by Trane 
« Shepherd's Court

Outstanding LEED NC -- Education
Sponsored by Trane 
« Palm Beach State College Technical Education Center

Outstanding LEED NC -- Private
Sponsored by Trane 
« TD Bank Net-Zero Energy Branch

Outstanding LEED NC -- Healthcare
Sponsored by Trane 
« Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

Outstanding LEED NC -- Overall 
Sponsored by Trane 
« Young at Art Museum and Broward County Library

Outstanding Community LEEDer
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
« Joseph R. Snider

Outstanding Green Business
Sponsored by GSD Contracting
« SEQUIL Systems, Inc.

Outstanding Green Government
« St. Lucie County

Outstanding Green Elected Official
« St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky

Photos Available for
Downloading for Attendees

The Chapter contracted with Tracey Benson Photography for photographs of the evening.  Photos are available for free downloading to all attendees.  Click here to access the portfolio of images from the gala.

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

Planning for GalaVerde 2013 started the week after the event with a constructive look at how we can better the evening for our guests and sponsors.  (Send feedback to info@usgbcsf.org)
If you are interested in volunteering, sponsorships, donating
silent auction items, advertising in the gala program, or anything else, please contact Lee Cooke, the Chapter's Executive Director. 

How Green Was The Gala?

• The program was printed on Mohawk Options I-Tone 100PC White Cover and text, FSC recycled.  The stock was also made with wind power and is Green Seal Certified.
• The awards presented were crafted in Virginia from FSC-certified domestic maple from well-managed forests.  The awards were made in a facility that purchases carbon offsets to offset 100% of its energy use. (Rivanna Natural Designs)
• Paperless sponsorship and ticket sales.
• Paperless registration process.
• Table cards printed on Mohawk Options I-Tone 100PC White Cover, FSC recycled.
• Adaptive orchids used as centerpieces, all of which were taken home by one lucky guest per table.
• Dinner featured organically grown field greens from local growers.
• 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. (EcoBrander Promos)
• Backing on the nametag holders made from recycled vinyl ... and were made in the USA.  (EcoBrander Promos)
• The evening's beautiful venue, the Hyatt Regency Pier 66, earned designation as a member of the Florida Green Lodging
Program from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
• Wine bottles were recycled.
• All beverages were served in reusable glassware.
• Reusable linens were used throughout event.
• Coffee products and packaging were recycled.
• The venue used environmentally preferable cleaning products in the ballroom.
• The venue was in central location for Chapter’s region, and public transportation to the Hyatt 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 (RE Cs) mitigated 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.

Thanks Again to our Title and VIP Reception Sponsors -- Coastal Construction Group and Pirtle Construction

Coastal Construction Group, ranked among the Top 3 construction management companies in the Southeast Region and with an enviable track record of delivering the highest quality and most challenging sustainable projects, was, for the second year in a row, the Chapter's Title Sponsor for GalaVerde. 

Pirtle Construction, one of 35 firms in the United States to receive the coveted ABC
Green Contractor Certification that evaluates
a company's overall everyday sustainable practices in the workplace, hosted an important and new element of GalaVerde -- a Sponsors Reception at the fabulous Hyatt PierTop.

With deep appreciation from our entire volunteer leadership and membership. the USGBC South Florida Chapter sincerely thanks Coastal Construction Group and Pirtle Construction for their magnanimous support of GalaVerde 2012.

George Bandy Jr., Vice-President of Interface, inspired
GalaVerde attendees with his keynote address.

Other Key Sponsors

In addition to the sponsors noted left and above, we extend sincere thanks to:

  • Our host for the evening the Hyatt Pier Sixty-Six, a green-lodging establishment.
  • Calvin, Giordano & Associates stepped up to sponsor a table for Emerging Professionals, allowing a dozen EPs to attend GalaVerde free of charge.
  • Renewable Choice Energy donated carbon offsets and renewable energy credits to offset the carbon emissions generated from attendees’ travel and the electricity used during the event. 
  • Minuteman Press of Boca Raton donated the production of our gala programs, table signage and more ... all produced using eco-friendly inks and paper, of course!

Thanks to our Table Sponsors

Companies and organizations that purchased 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 ... and this much deserved post-party thanks!  


GalaVerde Hall of Fame

Outstanding LEED NC Project
2010 -- One Harvard Circle / Suffolk SE Region Headquarters
2011 -- FAU College of Engineering & Computer Science
2012 -- Young at Art Museum and Broward County Library

Outstanding LEED CI Project
2010 -- SEQUIL Systems, Inc. Office and HOK Miami Office
2011 -- (2) DHL Global Forwarding at MICC and Lexus Florida Training Center
2012 -- Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering –
Food Service Venue

Outstanding LEED CS Project
2010 -- EcoPlex at Centrepark West
2011 -- (2) 1450 Brickell and Wells Fargo Center
2012 -- International Finance Bank

Outstanding LEED EB Project
2010 -- Wachovia Financial Center
2011 -- 110 Tower
2012 -- 701 Brickell

Outstanding LEED Multi-Family Project
2010 -- n/a
2011 -- NW Gardens I
2012 -- East Village Apartments

Outstanding LEED for Homes/Single Family Project
2010 -- HGTV 2009 Green Home
2011 -- GlassHouse by Zahn Development
2012 -- Hillcrest

Outstanding LEED for Retail Project
2010 -- n/a
2011 -- Pizza Fusion / Weston
2012 -- n/a

Outstanding LEED for Schools Project
2010 -- St. Andrews School Moabury Early Years Learning Center
2011 -- St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School
2012 -- Plumosa School of the Arts K-5 Building

Outstanding Community LEEDer
2010 -- Joseph Sanches (School District of Palm Beach County)
2011 -- Rob Hink (The Spinnaker Group)
2012 -- Joseph R. Snider (SEQUIL Systems)

Outstanding Green Business
2010 -- Pirtle Construction
2011 -- The Spinnaker Group
2012 -- SEQUIL Systems

Outstanding Green Government
2010 -- Miami-Dade County
2011 -- City of Boynton Beach
2012 -- St. Lucie County

Outstanding Green Elected Official
2010 -- Commissioner Doug Coward (St. Lucie County)
2011 -- Commissioner Kristin Jacob (Broward County)
2012 -- Chris Dzadovsky (St. Lucie County)

Outstanding LEED NC Project -- Public
2012 -- Young at Art Museum and Broward County Library

Outstanding LEED NC Project -- Private
2012 -- TD Bank Net-Zero Energy Branch

Outstanding LEED NC Project -- High-Rise Residential
2012 -- Shepherd's Court

Outstanding LEED NC Project -- Healthcare
2012 -- Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

Outstanding LEED NC Project -- Education
2012 -- Palm Beach State College Technical Education Center

 
 
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