Visionary Dinner 2023 - All That Glimmers Is Green

Join us on October 10, 2023, as we honor Dawn Brown and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Green Team with the Argon Award of Excellence during Southface’s annual Visionary Dinner. 

Visionary Dinner, Southface’s keystone fundraising event, invites sustainability leaders, innovators, and our community of dedicated advocates to join us for an evening of celebration and purpose.  Supporting Southface’s annual programming, Visionary Dinner brings us together in support of our vision of a healthy environment for all, achieved and sustained by innovation and equity in the communities we build together. 

 

Individual Tickets Host Committee
Individual tickets are sold out for this event. Limited sponsorships and host committee opportunities available. $1,500 (Includes two tickets and invitation to VIP reception, VIP parking at event, invitation to tour Southface’s GoodUse project at Agnes Scott’s Main Hall (date TBD) as we work to transition DeKalb County’s first electrified building to solar energy.)
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The Argon Award of Excellence in Sustainability

During the event, we will be presenting Southface’s Argon Award of Excellence to Dawn Brown and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Green Team. From educating guests about the importance of recycling to teaching students what it means to be sustainable, the Mercedes-Benz Green Team has become a global inspiration for creating a world where sustainable and inclusive communities thrive.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been dedicated to being a Zero Waste Stadium since opening day in 2017. In June of 2022, MBS achieved TRUE precertification signifying the successful implementation of foundational programs and policies to divert at least 90 percent of waste from landfill, incineration (waste-to-energy) and the environment, operations needed to effectively pursue zero waste. And in 2023, became the first professional sports stadium worldwide to achieve TRUE Platinum certification for Zero Waste. 

Our Host

Maria Saporta is editor of The Saporta Report, a decade long Southface Member, and longtime Atlanta business, civic and urban affairs journalist with a deep knowledge of our city, our region and state. Since 2008, she has written a weekly column and news stories for the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Prior to that, she spent 27 years with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, becoming its business columnist in 1991. Maria received her Master’s degree in urban studies from Georgia State and her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston.

The Location

Agnes Scott has reduced its carbon emissions by 40% since 2007 and the college is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2037. Southface has proudly partnered with Agnes Scott since 2009. In fact, our recent GoodUse project will help solarize the historic 1891 Main Hall, DeKalb’s first building with electric lights.

Argon Award

The Argon Award is presented annually by Southface to recognize leadership in advancing sustainability. Each Argon Award winner is selected by a knowledgeable panel of sustainability experts whose goal is to identify individuals and organizations who seek innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The award itself is named for the gas “argon” which is the non-toxic, non-reactive, clear and odorless gas that fills the space between the glass panes in high-performance windows.

Live Music - The MetroGnomes

Formed in 2001, The MetroGnomes Big Band entertains with jazz, swing and big band music. Featuring Southface’s own Laura Case, VP GoodUse, be prepared to “come out and play” as we are entertained by this volunteer band focused on providing a positive representation of the LGBTQ+ and ally community through music.

Driving Our Vision Forward

Proceeds from Visionary Dinner support Southface’s annual programs, enabling us to serve our communities with sustainable and resilient solutions that create healthy happy buildings, clean energy, water, and transportation for everyone.

The Food

Agnes Scott Dining & Catering is pleased to present a plant forward menu that aligns with the Agnes Scott College and Southface Institute's climate change commitments. Our Visionary Dinner menu includes: Mixed Greens with Grilled Peach Salad; Vegan Chorizo Portobello; Korean BBQ Tofu Stir-fry; Grilled Rosemary Polenta; Key Lime Tartlet, and more!
  • What to Wear
  • Where to Park

What to Wear

This year’s theme, All that Glimmers is Green, celebrates our collective dedication to a sustainable planet.  While the attire is business casual, we encourage you to explore sustainable clothing options in your closet, through a rental service, or shopping for previously worn clothing at one of our GoodUse partners, like: 

North Fulton Community Charities who recently completed energy upgrades through GoodUse, saving this key community resource with $14,000 in annual utility savings.   

Where to Park

The event is being hosted in the Letitia Pate Evans Hall at Agnes Scott College 141 E College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030.  We created a handy virtual map to help get you to the location, find visitor parking at the West Parking Deck, and get to the electric vehicle showcase.

There will also be golf carts available at the beginning of the event ferrying guests to the event space.

Special thanks to our partners and host committee

Southface Partners

Sponsorships available – please contact Stephanie Brown at sbrown@southface.org for more details.