Hundreds of students from area schools visited the nonprofit
Aquarium of the Pacific recently thanks to a donation from
SAVOR…Long Beach. The corporation donated to the Aquarium’s scholarship program for the ninth consecutive year, allowing children to visit during the Grand Prix when the facility is closed to the general public. During a special ceremony with these students, Aquarium officially dedicated and renamed its outdoor classroom in recognition of the company’s continued commitment to sustainability and education.
Wes Westley, president and CEO of
SMG, the parent company for SAVOR... Long Beach, was in attendance for the ceremony. The
SAVOR Watershed Classroom will serve thousands of students each year.
“We are grateful for SAVOR’s crucial role in bringing environmental education to students,” said
Jerry R. Schubel, Aquarium of the Pacific president & CEO. Five hundred students from Long Beach schools had the opportunity to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific today to partake in ocean educational programs under the scholarship. The students had the chance to explore the Aquarium’s entire facility all to themselves. “We’re delighted to be able to introduce the students to the wonders of marine life and to help them learn how they can protect our ocean,” said Schubel. Since 2003, more than 11,000 students have taken part in the SAVOR…Long Beach/Grand Prix scholarship program with more than $128,000 awarded in scholarship funds.
In addition to fulfilling the Aquarium’s food service and event and needs, SAVOR…Long Beach has played a crucial role in the development of the Aquarium. “Through our ongoing involvement with the Aquarium, we are able to help further environmental awareness whether it’s through empowering students through field trips or supporting educational exhibitions,” said
Veronica Quintero, regional general manager of SAVOR... Long Beach.
SAVOR…Long Beach, the food and beverage division of special event venue management leader SMG (
www.savorsmg.com), currently provides food and beverage services as well as VIP and catering/special event services to more than 100 facilities around the world. The company is also an industry leader in introducing green standards and programs to public facilities. SAVOR’s commitment to farm to table freshness and food quality typically features locally grown products for their venue clients whenever possible. SAVOR…Long Beach staff takes pride in being on the cutting edge of the latest food and beverage trends in addition to searching out the most innovative food technologies available on the market.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is the 4th largest aquarium in the nation. It displays over 11,000 animals in over 50 exhibits. Nearly 1.5 million people visit the Aquarium annually. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages. The Aquarium of the Pacific is the first among museums, zoos, and aquariums in the nation to register its greenhouse gases and is a leader in green practices, including its LEED platinum Watershed classroom and its commitment to grow without increasing its carbon footprint. The Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (except Dec. 25). For info visit
www.aquariumofpacific.org or call (562) 590-3100.