Celebrate SLU: Presented by Amazon
What is Celebrate SLU?
This event brings together people from diverse industries and backgrounds to celebrate the great neighborhood we live & work in. Celebrate SLU was established in 2008 by the SLU Chamber to recognize organizations and companies that contribute in a meaningful way to the improvement and success of our community.
This year’s virtual celebration is focused on honoring the organizations that have made a positive impact in the neighborhood, community or world around COVID-19, whether it be partnering with each other around economic recovery, supporting relevant philanthropic efforts, contributing to medical/research advancements, and more.
We're excited about this year's new virtual format and are sure you'll enjoy it too! Guests may choose to simply watch the awards ceremony from the comfort of their office or home or take a mare active role and engage with businesses and organizations before or after the ceremony in one of six breakout rooms - the choice is yours! Its a great way to support your SLU community and connect with some familiar faces or make new connections. We'll even have a photo booth and will be hosting a collection of event photos in recognition of your participation.
WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED LIVE!
Virtual Event Program
Thursday April 8th
- 4:30-5pm Meet The Finalists! Hop from room to room and chat with the finalists. We're hosting 6 different rooms with finalists from each of the award categories so you can wish them good luck, network and reconnect with friends.
- 5-6:15pm Awards Program - watch live to see who the winners are! And be sure to stay tuned to see our special guest presenter from Woodland Park Zoo!
- 6:15-6:45 After Party! Check out the Winner's Circle room to congratulate the winners and continue chatting with friends and colleagues.
**Photo Booth is available throughout the program; jump in anytime and have fun with backgrounds and props!**
Meet the Finalists for 2020's Best of SLU
Read below about how each organization contributed to our SLU community in 2020 and supported others during our most challenging year.
This year we will also be presenting a special recognition to Amazon for their support of small businesses in 2020.
Participating Restaurant Deals from our Finalists:
The Halal Guys: Offering 10% off your order + 1 FREE Botrista Tea or Lemonade, AND for every purchase made, The Halal Guys will donate 1 platter to nonprofit finalist, Immanuel Community Services! Offer runs through the month of April.
*Order in person or by phone at SLU location only. Not available for online or delivery orders. Promo code will be sent to all attendees.
Lassi & Spice: Offering two sampler plates & a delicious cocktail base! Mix with your favorite alcohol at home for the event!
*Available for pickup or delivery (via @doordash) on the day of the event from 3:30-4:45 PM. Place your order by EOD Wednesday and plan to enjoy it during Celebrate SLU! Link to be provided to all attendees.
The Collective: Free dessert for any reservations made on Open Table through the month of April with food or drink purchase
*Redemption code will be emailed to registered attendees.
Vitality Bowls: Offering 50% off 1 bowl and/or smoothie.
*Available April 8th - 15th. Guests need to enter the code in the "redeem coupon code" field during check out in online ordering. You can also download the app. Code will be emailed to registered attendees prior to the event.
SLU Shelter & Housing Focused Nonprofit of the Year:
- Compass Housing Alliance
- The Compass Center welcomed Otto’s Place, 100 new COVID-19 compliant beds of emergency housing to replace the Compass at First Presbyterian shelter.
- In the coming months, Compass’s other two 24/7 enhanced emergency housing programs will undergo similar improvements.
- Immanuel Community Services
- Continued to operate their Food Bank and Hygiene Center with updated COVID-19 safety protocols
- Provided extra shelter to those living on the streets during times of severe weather.
- Recovery program adhered to "Stay At Home" Order. Residents in the Recovery Program volunteered to assist the delivery of 200,000 face masks to SLU Chamber.
- Low Income Housing Institute
- Responded to the COVID-19 outbreak by partnering with the City of Seattle and construction partners to quickly move ahead in expanding Tiny House Villages (THVs).
- Continued to operate Urban Rest Stops.
- Opened T.C. Spirit Village in April 2020 - T. C. Spirit Village has 28 tiny houses; a community kitchen, a hygiene building with restrooms, showers, and laundry, staff and counseling offices, and a security pavilion. There is 24/7 staffing and case management on-site to help up to 32 residents.
*additionally recognized nominees: Bellwether Housing, New Horizons & YouthCare
SLU Health & Wellness Focused Nonprofit of the Year:
- FareStart
- Provided over 2,000,000 healthy meals to organizations across the Seattle area that serve youth, adults and families who are low income or experiencing homelessness
- Fred Hutch
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Center conducts phase 1-3 clinical trials finding effective treatments for SARS-CoV-2-positive participants
- Received grant to develop and evaluate rapid testing and point-of-care tests, to ensure that workers can return to their workplaces safely
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
- Received grant to provide staff with personal protective equipment and ultraviolet sterilization devices
- Participated in and hosted webinars and information sessions around COVID-19
- Among first to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses
*additionally recognized nominees: Kaiser Permanente, UW Medicine & Westside Baby
SLU Small Business of the Year:
- 415 Westlake
- Provided meals to high need individuals in the neighborhood through Compass House, LOVE, and others
- Opened up their event space to students in need of tutoring
- Flow Fitness
- Brought together fitness studios across the region, advocating for small businesses through the Washington Fitness Alliance
- Participated in and supported Supply Surge efforts to provide homeless students with school supplies
- The Collective
- Offered free space
- Hosted responsible socially distanced events
- Opened up a new pantry program to allow for easy grocery and meal kit pick-up
- Participated in and supported Supply Surge efforts to provide homeless students with school supplies
*additionally recognized nominees: Be Luminous Yoga, Khambatta Dance Company & Trophy Cupcakes
SLU Restaurant of the Year:
- Ba Bar
- Fed local hospital workers 100 boxed lunches a day for 3 months in partnership with Seattle Science Foundation and local donors
- Offered $5 industry eats to restaurant and hospitality workers for 3 months, while also providing complimentary to whomever was unable to pay.
- Continued with monthly Ba Bar Community Partner Day in October 2020 wherein 10% is donated to a local nonprofit. They have partnered with Asian Counseling & Referral Service, Ginger's Pet Rescue, Seattle Children's, University District Food Bank, and Food Lifeline
- Lassi & Spice
- Organized and contributed to ongoing lunch donations for Immanuel Community Services
- Pav Love program offering free menu items to anyone struggling with hunger or homelessness
- Participated in and supported Supply Surge efforts to provide homeless students with school supplies
- Portage Bay
- Organized ongoing donations for breakfast to UW Virology Lab
*additionally recognized nominees: Gold Bar, Shake Shack & Willmott's Ghost
New to SLU Business of the Year:
- Movement Systems Physical Therapy
- Participated in and supported Supply Surge efforts to provide homeless students with school supplies
- The Halal Guys
- Donated lunches to Immanuel Community Services
- Donated over 70 meals to Meals for Morale going to local healthcare workers
- Vitality Bowls
- Corporate stores donate regularly to the local Food Banks and many locations partner with its local schools, donating gift cards and a portion of profits to various fundraisers
*additionally recognized nominees: Citizen M & Compass
SLU Good Neighbor of the Year:
- Google
- Large donor to SLU's Small Business & Nonprofit Relief Fund
- Seattle House
- Donated 200,000 facemasks to distribute to SLU small businesses who were re-opening
- Vulcan Inc.
- Founding donor with large donation to SLU's Small Business & Nonprofit Relief Fund
- Funded holiday lights in Cascade Park
*additionally recognized nominees: SpringHill Suites, PEMCO & WeWork
Congratulations to all the Finalists!
How are winners selected?
Every year the SLU Chamber nominates up to six business in each category. Nominees do not have to be involved with the SLU Chamber. They are chosen based on demonstration of participation in, support of, or good works for the community. This can take the form of community events, fundraisers, donations to local causes, advocacy on community issues, community improvement projects, volunteerism etc. These works must demonstrate that the organization is committed to helping South Lake Union succeed as a community. Organizations that have won in the previous two years cannot be nominated. If you'd like to recommend an organization to be nominated, contact: director@sluchamber.org
Nominees are then put out for public vote. Voting is open for several weeks and anyone can vote; however, same day duplicate votes will not be counted. Once voting has closed the top three vote getters in each category become the Finalists and are featured at the event where WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED LIVE!
2019's Best of SLU
Congratulations to 2019's Winners!
SLU Restaurant of the Year: Li'l Woody's
SLU Nonprofit of the Year: Seattle Children's Research Institute
SLU Small Business of the Year: Downtown Dog Lounge
New to SLU Business of the Year: Jack's BBQ
SLU Good Neighbor of the Year: First Tech Federal Credit Union
Presenting Sponsor
Premium Sponsors
Photo Booth Sponsor
Meet the Finalists Room Sponsors
Virtual Swag Sponsors
Virtual Full Table Sponsors
