The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce toasted to the city's business leaders on June 20, hosting the packed "Toast of Santa Monica" program at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.
Serving multiple purposes, the event began with a Chamber board installation and cocktail hour under the iconic Fairmont Fig Tree, then moved inside the Fairmont for presentation of awards and comments from prominent political and business figures.
In a "fireside chat" setting with Chamber President and CEO Judy Kruger, Rick Caruso touched on future economic outlooks both locally and regionally, stating that everyone has "to look at" where technology, quality of life and healthcare are going in the next few years. He especially stressed technology, specifically artificial intelligence, is a positive for his Caruso real estate development company and that all of his employees will need to "embrace it."
Kruger asked the mogul how to sustain growth in an always-fluctuating marketplace, something that Caruso said starts with a professional mindset.
"You have to be so intentional every day when you wake up, [like] you’re literally going to battle," Caruso said. "You have to have that mindset … I [have] a pretty high bar on how I expect you to work, and it’s not that you never make a mistake, we’re all going to make mistakes, but you learn from them."
On the outlook for Santa Monica, Caruso touched on Macerich’s recent returning of Santa Monica Place mall to lenders, as well as vacancies on the Third Street Promenade, as sending a "bad message." He added that the city is in an "incredibly dynamic" position being "one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the world," and should take advantage of this locale.
"You’re a great city and a great location, but you should be encouraging investment, encouraging development in the city, and somebody’s got to figure out how to you can remake Third Street Promenade, because that’s a real blemish on the city," Caruso said in reference to vacancies.
The event also included four awards given to Santa Monica dignitaries, including the Nat Trives Award handed to Macerich Co. Vice President of Property Management Julia Ladd and the Chair Award given to Santa Monica Preccelerator Program Director Len Lanzi.
"I’m humbled to receive this award," Lanzi said. "Doing community service is much like a vocation, and everybody in this room shares that vocation, so I share this award with all of you."
The Business Leader Award went to Arthur Murray Dance Studio owner David Woodbury, who has been part of the community for over a decade with a "mission of creating hospitality and finding greatness in everyone," according to award presenter Michael Altschule. He added that Woodbury was able to keep the studio open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and is now "thriving" once more. Woodbury made sure to thank his husband and his family during his acceptance speech.
Yesenia Monsour presented the Community Leader Award to Jeff Jarow, who has stamped a legacy in the city in multiple roles. The man Monsour noted as "passionate about building community" has served on the Santa Monica Pier Corporation Executive Board and the Chamber board, has held a role as president of the Santa Monica Sister City Association, and began organizing the annual 4th of July Parade 18 years ago.
"He moved across the country in the pursuit of new opportunities, new adventures, and since then he has never looked back," Monsour said of Jarow. "He has found countless ways to serve the community which has greatly benefited from his rich contributions."
In his acceptance speech, Jarow said he is leaving a legacy for his son Morgan, hoping he noticed that his father did something for Santa Monica.
"I love this city, everybody knows whatever I do, I do it for the community, and I do it with passion … there’s so much going on in the city and I just want to spend my time to do good stuff for everybody … I kind of feel like I left my mark on Santa Monica," Jarow said.
Speaking on local business matters during the event were regional leaders, including California State Senator Ben Allen and business magnate Rick Caruso. Allen noted that his priority in Sacramento has been trying to balance the state budget after a "very difficult set of revenues that came in over the last few years," but that during this tough time, he still enjoys calling Santa Monica home.
"This is a special community that believes in schools and believes in a high quality of life, and the business community has been at the heart of that effort all the way through," Allen said.
