Burbank, Woodbury to Hold Business Summit The City of Burbank and Woodbury University will host a business summit May 28 on pursuing opportunities in emerging technology, finance, healthcare, media and entertainment in the current economic climate. “Navigating Today, Innovating Tomorrow” aids the Burbank business community by bringing it a step closer to achieving rewards in the changed economy. The summit is an important part of the City of Burbank economic strategy, which was launched last year. Keynote speaker James Canton, renowned global futurist and visionary business advisor, will address top trends and what they mean for the local economy. Burbank City Manager Michael S. Flad will provide a snapshot of current and projected Burbank economic conditions. The event also includes a panel discussion among Warner Bros. Senior Vice President Lisa Rawlins, Woodbury University Vice President Don St. Clair, and Poquito Mas owner Kevin McCarney moderated by Burbank Unified School District Superintendent Gregory Bowman. “The news is rife with doom and gloom, but as in every downturn, there are immense upsides to reshape, rethink and renew,” states Susan M. Georgino, Community Development Director for the City of Burbank. “‘Navigating Today, Innovating Tomorrow’ does just that, by offering businesses a new path and a novel approach in today’s vastly changed marketplace.” The summit takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Woodbury University Auditorium in Burbank. Conejo Valley Thousand Oaks Energy: Disk storage provider Nexsan has a new promotion for its customers who use energy-saving technology. Nexsan will provide spare drive to customers switching on AutoMAID technology, which can lower energy and cooling costs by 60 percent with impacting data access performance. “Nexsan is committed to helping organizations adopt best practices for energy efficiency while reducing costs and their environmental footprint at the same time,” said Bob Woolery, senior vice president of marketing, Nexsan. “With ‘Get Your Green On’ promotion, we are encouraging customers to benefit from the energy-efficient technology they already have in place to demonstrate the exceptional value they can realize in terms of energy and cost savings while embracing an increasing focus on ecological responsibility.” San Fernando Valley Canoga Park Energy: As part of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s efforts to reduce energy and water consumption by 10 percent by 2012, solar panels are being installed at Canoga Park High School. The solar panels, which will be installed by July, are expected to generate as much as 35 percent of the school’s electrical needs. Over the next six months, six other schools within the LAUSD will have solar panels installed including: Ann Street Elementary School, Banning High School, Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, El Dorado Elementary School, Francis Polytechnic Senior High School and Grover Cleveland High School. Solar panels will also be installed at the LAUSD Local District 5 offices. Sherman Oaks Hall: The Valley Industry & Commerce Association’s Hall of Fame will grow this year to include Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn, Gelson’s, Pierce College, Spectrolab and Ritchie Valens. VICA created this award in 2008 to recognize individuals, businesses and other community organizations that have been responsible for the continued success, economic vitality and culture of the San Fernando Valley. “VICA is looking forward to continuing the tradition that was started last year, by honoring five outstanding inductees who have significantly contributed to the Valley’s culture and economy,” said VICA Chair Greg Lippe. “The San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame is VICA’s way of thanking those who have helped mold the Valley into a community that we can take pride in today.” The inductees will be recognized at VICA’s Business Hall of Fame Dinner on June 18 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City. Search: Scour.com launched a promotion for new and existing users to win $1,000 just by using the search engine. Each search adds another chance for a user to win that month’s sweepstakes. Users can total 50 entries a day. “Our users’ feedback -through their searches, commenting and voting is what makes Scour such a powerful search engine,” said Daniel Yomtobian, president and CEO of Scour. “I want to offer our users another way to earn more rewards as a way to show appreciation for their contributions and loyalty.” Scour’s powerful search engine combines results from Google, Yahoo! and MSN, ensuring top results for every search. Burbank Music: Schecter Guitar Research has joined with the Musicians Institute to offer two new scholarships for student guitarists. The financial assistance awards are named in honor of contemporary rock guitarists Synyster Gates of Avenged Sevenfold and Jerry Horton of Papa Roach. The scholarships come with a tuition credit of $2,500 and a new Schecter instrument. The Synyster Gates Scholarship will go to a student who demonstrates a high level of musicianship within the heavy rock and metal genre, while the Jerry Horton Scholarship will be awarded based on outstanding originality and band performance skills in the rock genre. Software: Xytech Systems Corp. has completed the first installation of its new MediaPulse product at the Chicago headquarters of the Boeing Co. MediaPulse is an application suite for asset and resource-based media workflows. Boeing will use the software in the Creative Services division that manages extensive and dynamic inventories of video, graphics, and photography across a global network of external and internal users. The software was designed for challenges like the ones facing the Creative Services division, said Xytech CEO Richard Gallagher. “The testing and final implementation that has taken place has been an exciting collaboration,” Gallagher said. “It is an honor to continue our 19-year history with Boeing by launching a product that we are so proud of.” Fashion: More than 650 people attended Woodbury University’s annual scholarship benefit gala at the Beverly Hilton on May 3. The black tie affair featured a silent auction and a fashion show presented by the Department of Fashion Design, where 18 senior students showcased their lines of “green” couture using sustainable or recycled materials. Five students, whose work was judged by fashion industry professionals, received achievement awards at the event. Architect Thom Mayne received the Leadership in Architecture Award for his work developing energy efficient buildings. Ray Anderson was presented with the Leadership in Design Award for leading his company to pursue its “Mission Zero” promise to eliminate any negative impact it may have on the environment by 2020. Johnson Controls, which provides innovative automotive interiors, offers products and services that optimize energy use for buildings, and also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid-electric vehicles, received the Leadership in Business Award. Woodland Hills Food: Henry’s Farmers Market opened a new location in Woodland Hills on May 6 in the Warner Plaza. Henry’s operates 28 other locations with the Woodland Hills store the first to locate in the San Fernando Valley. A job fair to fill 100 positions at the store drew more than 1,000 applicants, including many who have never worked retail before, a store spokesman said. On its opening day Henry’s gave away a free pre-selected shopping bag of groceries to the first 200 people who arrived. Glendale Energy: Two buildings managed by American Realty Advisors have received the Energy Star designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That rating for 200 South Los Robles in Pasadena and 21900 Burbank Blvd. in Woodland Hills means that the buildings join an elite group of properties nationwide that have instituted innovative and meaningful energy efficient initiatives. The Pasadena property is a 130,818 square foot six story Class-A office building with equipment that increases the energy efficiency of the HVAC system by approximately 53 percent. The newly installed HVAC units at the Woodland Hills building are approximately 50 percent more efficient than the previous units resulting in a 15 percent overall energy savings for the building. “Being an Energy Star partner and pursuing alternative energy efficient programs is a primary goal of American’s management vision so that our clients’ properties show continued improvement in energy consumption, financial performance, and environmental impact,” said American Realty President and CEO Stanley Iezman. Chatsworth Distribute: Universal Music Group will distribute music and music-related urban titles from Image Entertainment Inc. under a deal reached between the two companies. The deal is limited to distribution in Europe, Africa, South America and the Middle East, all areas where Universal already operates and has the connections to sell directly to television. The agreement covers the entire Image catalog of music and music-related urban programming in DVD, Blu-ray, digital and television broadcast rights. Sun Valley Relations: The Sun Valley plant of Vulcan Materials Co. received a Community Relations Bronze Award from the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association. The award recognizes the superior level of active involvement with and positive contributions to the plant’s neighboring community. Receiving the reward is a result of the commitment shown by Sun Valley employees to the neighboring communities, said Alan Wessel, president for Vulcan’s Western Division. “They have built a strong local foundation by becoming involved and working together with the people in the community, including their work with, among others, Stonehurst and Vinedale Elementary Schools, the Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Sun Valley Beautiful Committee,” Wessel said. Encino Sweets: The Chocolate Bar, a gourmet chocolate business, celebrated its grand opening May 8 in Encino. The shop offers premium chocolates from all over the world, coffee, tea and hot cocoa. Customers can enjoy their treats on comfortable seating with free Wi-Fi. LaTonja Simpson opened the shop with assistance from the Valley Economic Development Center. Simpson completed the center’s Entrepreneurial Training Program and received two loans. The VEDC is more than a business agency but a partner helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals, Simpson said. Without them, we would not have this amazing and unique business,” Simpson added. Santa Clarita Valley Santa Clarita Appointments: Two new and five returning members have been named to the Newhall Redevelopment Committee. The committee is made up of 13 members with an interest in redevelopment issues within the Newhall Redevelopment Project Area and assists with the implementation of the Downtown Newhall Specific Plan. New to the committee are Anthony Campbell, who sits on the Associated General Contractors board in Los Angeles and brings an extensive background in real estate and construction; and Vladimir Victorio, who has volunteered and taken part in numerous economic development projects in the San Fernando Valley. Returning to the committee are John Grannis, Kevin Korenthal, Dennis Verner, Larry Byrd and Philip Ellis.