At its first Sociable City Awards Program, the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) recognized nine cities in the U.S. and Canada as exemplary models for safe nightlife: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Long Beach, Calif.; Gainesville, Fla.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Pittsburgh; Santa Rosa, Calif.; Livermore, Calif.; and San Jose, Calif. The cities were honored during a ceremony at RHI’s Sixth Annual Networking Conference in Austin, Texas.
“The cities that received awards are 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 increase city funds,” RHI president Jim Peters said in a statement.
The RHI board judged cities based on safety (collaborative strategies, training, patron responsibility campaigns, etc.) and vibrancy (investment in entertainment, enhanced lighting and pedestrian safety, multicultural or multigenerational activities, etc.).
The following awards were given:
– 2009 Sociable City of the Year: Edmonton, Alberta Canada.
– Outstanding Achievement in Vibrancy: Downtown Long Beach, Calif.
– Outstanding Achievement in Safety: Gainesville and West Palm Beach, Fla. shared this award.
– Merit Awards in Safety and Vibrancy: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Santa Rosa, Livermore, and San Jose, Calif.
For more information, visit www.RHIevents.org/conference/city/award.