Honorees
Each year, we honor individuals, businesses, and other organizations who have been champions for equitable economic development.
Individual Honoree: Arnold Schwarzenegger, 38th Governor of California
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-born bodybuilder, actor, businessman, philanthropist, bestselling author, and politician. He served as the thirty-eighth governor of California and is the founder of After-School All-Stars and the Chairman of the Schwarzenegger Institute at the University of Southern California.
Building on his prior policy initiatives as Governor, Schwarzenegger is dedicated to enhancing early childhood development, after-school programs, career technical education, and environmental leadership, working to address climate change and a green economy.
Mr. Schwarzenegger will attend the Eddy Awards virtually.
Inaugural International Honoree: Ambassador Jane Duke, Australian Consul General in Los Angeles
Ms Duke has served as Australian Consul-General Los Angeles in August 2020.
The Consulate General has responsibility for Southern California, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and parts of Nevada.
These states collectively account for over US$7 billion in two-way trade and host over 100,000 Australian residents. More than 400 Australian companies operate in California across 83 industries and support some 15,000 jobs. Australia is the 4th largest source of visitors to California, with some 600,000 Australians visiting each year.
In 2023, the governments of Australia and California signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate our shared efforts to deliver climate action and support clean energy transition. California’s ability to set standards for new and emerging technologies makes it a critical partner as Australia becomes a renewable energy superpower.
Ms Duke has a distinguished career in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, having served overseas as Australia’s Ambassador to ASEAN in Indonesia, as Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia, and as Counsellor at Australia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
Corporate Honoree: Delta Air Lines
More than 90,000 Delta people lead the way in delivering a world-class customer experience on over 4,000 daily flights to more than 280 destinations on six continents, connecting people to places and to each other.
LAX serves as one of Delta’s most important coastal hubs and currently operates over 150 peak-day flights to 52 destinations across the globe, serving 19 of the top 20 markets for Los Angeles customers.
Delta and its 4,000 Los Angeles-based employees are deeply ingrained in the community, supporting more than a dozen nonprofit organizations throughout the state of California. The airline is proud to serve as the inaugural founding partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the official airline of Team USA. Additionally, Delta is the official airline of The Hollywood Bowl, Pantages Theatre, Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Kings.
Community Partner Honoree: Community Coalition
Community Coalition works to help transform the social and economic conditions in South LA that foster addiction, crime, violence and poverty by building a community institution that involves thousands in creating, influencing and changing public policy.
For the past 30 years, Community Coalition has continued with this groundbreaking approach. We elevate the voices of our members, shift power to the community, and tackle the root causes of poverty, crime and violence. Together we are creating a more prosperous, safer and healthier South L.A.
MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITIES
Every year, a blue-ribbon panel evaluates nominations submitted by the cities in LA County to recognize those cities which are doing the most to encourage job creation, facilitate ease-of-doing-business, and cutting through red tape. These awards generate great awareness for the cities that are recognized as finalists and winners for years to come. This year’s finalists:
CarsonGlendaleLong BeachNorwalkTorrance
The winning cities of the Most Business-Friendly City award will be announced live at the Eddy Awards on November 8, 2023, at SoFi Stadium.