AED Receives Award for Think Arlington Ad Campaign Marriott Breaks Ground on Green Hotels at Potomac Yard Arlington Companies Win Accolades for Growth

November 2008

in this issue From the Director The Value of Awards   The Crane's View The Renaissance Hotel and Inn Crystal City Potomac Yards   Company Spotlight Whitlow's on Wilson Sweeps ABBIES   Events BRAC Transition Center BizLaunch Help Make a Difference This Holiday Season! The Secret Santa Program for the 2008 holiday season is underway. You can make a difference in the lives of Arlington's most vulnerable residents. Learn how.     The People Have Spoken   2008 ABBIES Go to Arlington’s Best Businesses The votes are in, with more than 3,000 Arlingtonians choosing their favorite local businesses and venues in the 2008 People’s Choice Arlington Best Business “ABBIE” Awards. Among the big winners: Whitlow’s on Wilson Bar & Grill, which won in the categories of Best Neighborhood Bar, Best Happy Hour and Best Family Friendly Restaurant. Saffron Dance was named both Best Place to Work Out and Best New Business. The winners in the 20 different ABBIE categories were announced by County Board Chairman, J. Walter Tejada at the October 22 Board meeting. The complete list of award winners is available on the ABBIES Web site. The 2008 ABBIES are the result of a new selection process that emphasized public participation. In previous years, the awards were presented by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington Economic Development Commission after nominations were submitted under specific criteria and winners were chosen by a committee. This year, nominations and voting were opened to the entire community, allowing for greater recognition of a wider variety of businesses. “An awards program is just one of the many ways we support the Arlington business community, especially the small retail stores and restaurants that help shape the character of Arlington’s urban villages,” Tejada said. “The People’s Choice ABBIES help us recognize the very best of all Arlington businesses, with participation from the entire community.” All nomination submissions and voting for the new People’s Choice ABBIES took place online. Those without access to a computer at home or work were encouraged to use Arlington Public Library Internet stations. In addition to recognition from the Arlington County Board, this year’s ABBIE winners will receive a year’s worth of acknowledgment from AED including promotion on the Arlington County Web site, in Arlington e-newsletters, Arlington Virginia Network television spots, newspapers advertisements and special placement in the Arlington County Visitors Guide and Map.