The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. hosted its 31st annual EDDY Awards last week.
The awards brought together a true who’s who of the Los Angeles region’s business and community leaders to the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, surely provoking a variety of introductions and conversations that might not otherwise happen.
That is, in part, why the LAEDC chose to honor the Business Journal with its Mid-Size Business of the Year award – for doing just that.
“Data doesn’t do much good just sitting in a report. It matters when someone picks it up, asks the hard questions and puts it in front of the people making decisions,” Justin Adams, a senior director with LAEDC’s Institute for Applied Economics, said in remarks Wednesday. “For decades, that’s what the Los Angeles Business Journal has done for the region.”
Adams hailed the publication – which frequently makes use of LAEDC’s various studies and reports throughout the year and often interviews its experts for stories – for its work in taking that research to business owners themselves, questioning how it impacts their operations and prospects for the future. This work, he said, brings people together across industries who otherwise might never interact.
“We’re incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the LAEDC, particularly because it reflects the important role we play in bringing Los Angeles’ Community of Business together,” Business Journal Publisher and Chief Executive Josh Schimmels said. “For nearly 50 years, through trusted journalism, our mission has been to educate, inform and inspire; but ultimately, it’s the connections we help create that make our business community and our region stronger.”
Other honorees at the EDDYs last week included Commerce-based AltaMed as Corporation of the Year; Ontario-based Webb Investments as Small Business of the Year; Lincoln Heights-based Goodwill of Southern California with Workforce Development of the Year; and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission as International Partner of the Year.
The Insider is compiled by Acting Editor Zane Hill. He can be reached at [email protected].
