Limelight – Emerald Awards
The 7th Annual Awards Program of the U.S. Green Building Council–Illinois Chapter
In celebration of our 10th anniversary in 2012, the U.S. Green Building Council-Illinois Chapter is proud to announce the inaugural Emerald Awards to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and projects from across Illinois that are advancing both buildings and communities that are sustainable, prosperous and healthy. Awards will be presented at USGBC-Illinois’ 10th anniversary fundraiser, Limelight, Thursday Ma
y 10, at the Green Exchange’s Greenhouse Loft.
For six years, USGBC-Illinois presented the Natural Leaders Awards at our annual, spring Emerald Gala. In celebration of our 10th Anniversary, the Chapter has replaced both the Gala and previous awards program with our exciting new Chapter event, Limelight, and the Emerald Awards. These awards better reflect the mission of the USGBC-Illinois as we head into our second decade advancing sustainable buildings and communities through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
These awards are intended to recognize individuals andor organizations in Illinois and do not need to be USGBC –Illinois Chapter or USGBC members. Please keep in consideration that Emerald Awardees can include, but are not limited to, architects, design engineers, contractors, developers, design teams, schools, governmental and non-profit organizations, and beyond.
Please send all nominations to emeraldawards@usgbc-illinois.org no later than noon on Friday, February 24, 2012. Winners will be announced on Thursday, March 8, 2012. The nomination form can be found by following this link, or can be requested at the email address above. For more information please contact Pam Jackson, Manager of Marketing and Programs, at 312.245.8300, ext. 204, or pjackson@usgbc-illinois.org.
To view the Emerald Awards flyer, please click here. For information about Limelight Sponsorship Opportunities, please click here. To purchase tickets or find out more about Limelight, please click here.
Nominate an individual or organization in one of the following categories. Download the nomination form here.
Chapter Mission Award (For Individuals or Organizations)
This award recognizes an organization; public, private or institutional, or an individual that best advances the mission of USGBC–Illinois. “The U.S. Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter is a nonprofit, membership driven organization that advances buildings and communities that are sustainable, prosperous and healthy. We achieve this through education, advocacy, and collaboration.” Some characteristics of potential award winners are:
- An individual or organization that works in building, maintaining or promoting sustainable schools
- An individual or organization that works to advocate for green-building related public policy, codes, and legislation
- An individual or organization that works to green the residential development market
- An individual or organization that works in the municipal sector to promote sustainable buildings and communities
- An individual or organization making changes a the portfolio of existing buildings
Green Building Innovation Award (For Organizations)
This award recognizes a new building construction or existing building renovation project completed in the past three years that uses innovative strategies or technologies to reduce the building’s impact or makes a positive impact. Some characteristics of potential award winners include organizations that:
- Utilized new technologies and/or innovations in new construction
- Initiated forward-thinking policies/procedures in ongoing green operations
- Proposed an innovative solution to a green building challenge
- Fostered regenerative processes in buildings
- Found creative responses to limitations (monetary, site, resources, etc.)
Individual Leadership Award (For Individuals)
This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies leadership in transforming the built environment. Some characteristics of potential award winners include individuals that:
- Publicly committed to building sustainably
- Implemented an innovative program and lead others to follow suit
- Built an exceptional sustainable building(s) or remodeled an existing facility to outstanding sustainable standards
- Has significant influence over the sustainable building/community movement in Illinois
- Is considered a “game changer” in the green building movement and inspired others to follow suit
Outstanding Organization Award (For Organizations)
This award recognizes a corporation or organization that has made significant strides to reduce their environmental footprint or improve the environment in a substantial way. Some characteristics of potential award winners include organizations that:
- Created strategic relationships or collaborations within the sustainable building community to help transform the industry
- Lead in the design, development, construction or operations + maintenance of sustainable building(s)
- Was recognized as an outstanding corporation/organization as evidenced by best practices
- Made a significant reduction in carbon emissions, waste, toxic chemicals, or other negative environmental impacts
- Contributed in a positive way to improving the environment (e.g. introduced regenerative processes in building design/operations, offered employee volunteer days, participated in ecosystem restorations, etc.)
Download the nomination form here.
