Educate
Equip professionals and communities with practical knowledge.
Southface Institute presents
Visionary Awards
Fund what’s next.
An afternoon honoring bold leadership and investing in the work that makes a healthier, more sustainable future possible.
Thursday, October 15, 2026Noon–2 p.m.Georgia Aquarium
2026 Argon Award
of Excellence in Sustainability
of Excellence in Sustainability
01 / Meet our honoree
Visionary leadership for an extraordinary place
Kim Bednarek
Executive Director, Okefenokee Swamp Park
Kim Bednarek is a mission-driven executive and entrepreneurial leader with more than two decades of experience spanning environmental conservation, education, nonprofit management, and rural economic development. As the first full-time Executive Director of Okefenokee Swamp Park, Inc. and Okefenokee Adventures, she leads an 80-year-old nonprofit dedicated to connecting people with the Okefenokee through conservation, education, and responsible outdoor recreation.
Her leadership helped advance the collaborative effort that made the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Georgia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2026.
“A commitment to keep the Okefenokee wild, resilient, and thriving for generations to come.”Learn about Okefenokee Swamp Park ↗
02 / The reason we gather
Your Support Powers the Mission
The Visionary Awards is a vital fundraiser for Southface. Every ticket helps move sustainability from a shared goal to measurable progress.
Support from this event advances education, advocacy, technical expertise, and partnerships that create healthier buildings and stronger communities across the Southeast.
Advocate
Advance solutions that make sustainability more accessible.
Transform
Improve the buildings and places where people live, work, and learn.
03 / In the room
A celebration with purpose.
Come for the people and the stories. Leave knowing your generosity is helping Southface build what comes next.
Special guests
Honoring visionary leadership
Ambassador Andrew Young, former Atlanta mayor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, was the 2025 recipient of Southface’s Argon Award of Excellence in Sustainability.
Read about the 2025 honoree ↗↑
Give together
Paddle raise
A high-energy moment to directly fund Southface’s mission and expand the impact we can make together.
GOLDENTICKET
A special opportunity
Golden ticket
A little surprise, a lot of possibility. Full golden ticket details will be announced soon.
Want to revisit last year’s celebration?
Look back at the 2025 Visionary Awards.
04 / Join us
Be in the room.
Fund the work.
$250
Individual ticket
- Admission to the 2026 Visionary Awards
- Afternoon program at the Georgia Aquarium
- An opportunity to support Southface’s mission
05 / Event details
Everything you need to know
- Date
- Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Time
- Noon–2 p.m.
- Location
- Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta
- Attire
- Business professional
- Parking
- The official Georgia Aquarium parking deck is the most convenient option, located at 357 Luckie Street NW, with entrances on Luckie Street and Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard. Please have your license plate number available. At the event, guests can scan a QR code and enter their plate number for parking validation.
06 / Made possible together
2026 Event Partners
We are grateful to the organizations investing in Southface’s mission and the work ahead.
Eco Innovator
Clean Energy Advocate
Sustainability Partners
Additional Supporters
2KB Energy Services
Newcomb & Boyd
Live/Work/Walk Foundation
Climate First Bank
Creature Comforts
Center for Puppetry Arts
MahoneyOne
Allen Bradley
October 15, 2026 · Georgia Aquarium
