2009 Sociable City Awards

North America's First Sociable City Awards Ceremony

Nine US and Canadian cities were honored at RHI's Sixth Annual Networking Conference in Austin, Texas. A Canadian city took the top honor for North America's most sociable city of the year. Three cities received outstanding achievement awards for creating safe and vibrant hospitality zones. The remaining five took home awards for distinguished merit in their nighttime economies.

"All participating cities represent outstanding models for planning and managing nightlife. Their city leaders are at the forefront of innovation for harnessing dining and entertainment as an economic engine to drive revitalization and increased city funds," commented RHI president, Jim Peters.

Review criteria used by RHI Board members to select award winners. Awards were presented as follows:

Click on photo to view presentation about the city programs.

	2009 Sociable City Winner
	Edmonton, AB Canada
Eleni Houghton - Diageo, Shirley Lowe - Old Strathcona Business Association, Nicole Chapelaine - Responsible Hospitality Edmonton and Allison Harnden - RHI

Outstanding Achievement
Vibrancy in a Hospitality Zone	Safety in a Hospitality Zone	Safety in a Hospitality Zone
Long Beach, CA	West Palm Beach, FL	Gainesville, FL
Eleni Houghton - Diageo, Allison Harnden - RHI, Steve Sheldon - Downtown Long Beach Associates Justin Hectus - Downtown Long Beach Associates and Jim Peters - RHI	Allison Harnden - RHI, Raphael Clemente - Downtown Development Authority, Willie Perez - IPC International, Eleni Houghton - Diageo	Eleni Houghton - Diageo, Ed Book - Gainesville Police Department, Maureen Miller - University of Florida, Jeanna Mastrodicasa - City of Gainesville, Allison Harnden - RHI and Virginia Dodd - University of Florida

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