On September 28th 2011, we hosted our first ever Sustainable Enterprise Gala at the Vancouver Aquarium. The event was aimed at celebrating the success of Canadian companies dedicated to sustainable products, sustainable business, and conservation. For BSI, the event marked 7+ years of providing compostables as an alternative to disposable plastics. We also celebrated the launch of Bésics branded retail and commercial compostables in North America!
Arriving at the stunning venue featuring aquatic life, guests posed for a picture in front of our green screen compost heap as heads bopped to the beat of life jazz music playing in the background. There was amazing cheese provided by Golden Ears Cheeseworks, and Oceanwise sustainable sushi. Plus, guests sampled smoothies from our bike-powered blender before wandering around our not-so-silent bossa nova auction to bid on items in support of conservation.
Adding a little star power, Adera Andelucci and Brian Calvert from the the Vancouver Lifestyle series GotoGal arrived with lights and cameras to showcase the evening.
Guests had the opportunity to catch up with the latest happenings at BSI by reading through their research display or looking at the model CN train set and Canadian-manufactured butcher wrap on our new sustainable transportation display. Later, inspirational words from the podium by our CEO Susanna Carson were followed by Ruth Legg a Researcher at Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Robert Clark, one of the leaders of Oceanwise.
Finally, our main event band, Maria in the Shower finished off our evening as volunteers brought the bossa nova auction prizes to the winners, and guests left admiring the smell of fresh Ethical Bean coffee beans – part of the swag in our Vancity gift bags. Since the event, we’ve heard stories of the Organic Lives macaroons being enjoyed on the way home – not a crumb left in the package!
We would like to thank all of our guests who came to the event, and all of our sponsors for donating items for our gift bags and the silent auction! From our auction, you helped us raise $4,005 for conservation and research! These proceeds will be split among the five organizations we’ve chosen to support: The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society, the Burns Bog Conservation Society and our own compostability research.
It was a great event and we look forward to the next one!
Footnote: Since the party, we’ve had another reason to celebrate: Bésics has become a registered trademark in Canada. Stop by our office to pick up some Bésics compostables instead of plastic for your next event! Or… use reusable serviceware (with biodegradable soap) if you can.