Thursday, June 8
The Ocean Awards Gala will take place in Washington, D.C., in the Ronald Reagan Building atrium on the evening of June 8, 2023 from 6pm to 10pm. Attire is black tie optional. The gala annually recognizes champions of marine and Great Lakes stewardship. Past honorees include Presidents, Members of Congress, and world-renowned scientists and conservationists.
This year, the Foundation will recognize The Honorable Raúl M. Grijalva, U.S. Representative from Arizona; The Honorable Ed Case, U.S. Representative from Hawai’i; Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala; and William J. Ailā Jr.
The Leadership Award will celebrate Congressman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona and Congressman Ed Case of Hawai’i. This award honors political leaders who demonstrate a commitment to ocean, coastal and Great Lakes stewardship. Through their work on policy and governance, Leadership Award honorees elevate attention of the marine and Great Lakes environment through support of sound science and conservation. They champion change and action to protect these environments and their natural and cultural resources for future generations.
The Sanctuary Wavemaker Award will be given to Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala and William J. Ailā Jr. This award celebrates dedicated citizens who conduct critical work that benefits national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments and are active advocates and ambassadors for national marine sanctuaries.
We would like to thank our sustainable seafood and beverage partners for their generosity and support! Positively Groundfish will be donating the entrée, Finless Foods, Atlantic Sea Farms, NETUNO, and Taylor Shellfish will be providing oysters and hors d’oeuvres during our cocktail reception, and Tito’s Vodka will be providing two signature cocktails, the “Tipping Point Tipple” and the “Climate Connection.” We are proud to be able to showcase their delicious offerings. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts (and stomachs!)
Sponsorship opportunities for CHOW 2023 are sold out and individual gala tickets were not sold this year. However, there is still a chance to attend the Ocean Awards Gala! The top fundraiser of the Foundation’s first annual peer-to-peer CHOW fundraising campaign will win a pair of tickets to the gala for the rare chance to network with a who’s who of marine conservation in the United States.
