LUCERNE >> The Lake Leadership Summit 2015 committee announced the winners of the first Summit Red Carpet Awards. The awards were voted upon by the public through the Lake County News website for a week prior to this year’s Summit on October 9. Red Carpet Awards were presented in three separate categories: the Start-Up Sensation award; the Enticing Storefront award; and the Customer Service Puts Nordstrom’s To Shame award.
The Village Pub in Cobb was the hands-down winner of the Start-Up Sensation award. Owner Barbara Flynn walked the red carpet to claim her Oscar-style award. Michelle Scully, Summit Co-Creator, was surprised when Marymount California University’s campus in Lucerne won the Enticing Storefront award. Scully, executive director of the Lakeside Campus, owned the runway, clearly enjoying the recognition of the University.
Monica Rosenthal, representing Middletown businesses, accepted the Customer Service Puts Nordstrom’s To Shame award on behalf of Tina Chiotti-Stewart, owner and operator of Middletown Florist & Gifts.
The awards ceremony marked the closure of the second sold-out Summit, an event designed for Lake County’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Held at the MCU Lakeside Campus under the auspices of the Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee, the one-day event offered novel ideas, practical information and the opportunity to partner and collaborate.
Amy Kaherl, internationally known executive director of Detroit SOUP, delivered the keynote address. Attendees enjoyed a mix of in-the-trenches breakout sessions, provocative short videos, and powerful speakers.
The Summit ‘15 was sponsored by PG&E, Vista Point Shopping Center, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, the County of Lake, the City of Lakeport, the City of Clearlake, and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Marymount California University Lakeside Campus, MPIC/Workforce Lake, Lake County News, and the Lake County Record-Bee provided generous support.
Lake Leadership Summit 2016 is scheduled for Friday, October 7. For more information, call Rebecca Southwick at 707-349-8105 or write to EmbracetheLake@gmail.com. A new website is under construction that will contain details of Summit follow-up workshops and other activities.
