Awards and Recognitions at San Diego International Airport

San Diego International Airport (SAN) and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority have earned many awards for excellence in airport operations. In 2020 alone, they received over a dozen honors, including recognition for environmental efforts, health and safety, and community outreach. Brendan Reed, Director of Environmental Affairs & Planning, won a national climate leadership award. SAN was also recognized for exceptional worker safety and the Procurement team earned its 11th straight award for excellence.

Recognitions and Awards of Excellence

Celebrating achievements in business, customer service, sustainability, planning, construction, and more

Business

2016 Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada; Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
2016 San Diego County Taxpayers Association; Annual Golden Watchdog Award – Rental Car Center
2016 San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce; Hire-a-Veteran Honor Roll
2015 Airport Revenue News (Medium Airport Division); Best Overall Concession Program; Best Concession Management Team; Best Concession Program Design; Best Customer Service; Best Amenities
2015 Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada; Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
2014 San Diego County Taxpayers Association; Annual Golden Watchdog
2014 National Procurement Institute; Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award
2014 Airport Revenue News (Medium Airport Division); Best Overall Concession Program; Best Concession Management Team; Best Concession Program Design
2013 Visionary Award in the category of “economic opportunity” from LEAD San Diego (awarded to Thella F. Bowens, Robert H. Gleason and Bruce Boland)
2012 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement from the National Procurement Institute
2011 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement from National Purchasing Institute
2011 San Diego Metro Mover, Robert H. Gleason, Board Chair
2010 San Diego Metro Mover, Thella F. Bowens, President/CEO
2010 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement from the National Purchasing Institute
2010 Special Award for outstanding contribution toward and support of the San Diego subcontracting community’s issues and concerns from the San Diego Chapter of the American Subcontracting Association
2007 Gold Key Award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Tourism Industry by Someone Outside of the Industry” from the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association and the San Diego County Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
2006 Eureka Silver Level Award for Performance Excellence from the California Council for Excellence
2006 “San Diego Ambassador Award” from the San Diego Community College District
2006 Eureka Bronze Level Award for commitment to organizational excellence from the California Council for Excellence
2005 Bronze Level Award for commitment to organizational excellence from the California Council for Excellence
2004 Prospector Award for commitment to organizational excellence from the California Council for Excellence
2004 Executive Awareness Award for Best Small Business Outreach Event/Series for the “Meet the Authority” outreach series for small businesses from the San Diego Supplier Development Council
2004 Women Who Mean Business Award, Thella F. Bowens, from the San Diego Business Journal
2003 Service Provider of the Year Award for the agency’s contributions to international trade in the San Diego region from the World Trade Center of San Diego

Small/Disadvantaged Business Outreach

Customer Service

Construction and Development

2014 Design Build Institute of American Awards (San Diego); Design Build Awards
2014 American Public Works Association (San Diego); Public Works Project of the Year
2014 California Transportation Foundation; Aviation Project of the Year
2014 American Society of Civil Engineers (San Diego Section/Region 9); Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Award
2014 American Planning Association (San Diego Section); Award for Economic Planning and Development Award for the Green Build at San Diego International Airport
2014 Construction Management Association of America (San Diego); Project Achievement Awards – Transportation, Buildings, Program Management, Infrastructure
2012 Award of Distinction in the Projects in Progress category from the Design Build Institute of America Western Pacific Region
2011 Aviation Project of the Year for Taxiway C Rehabilitation project from the California Transportation Foundation
2011 Outstanding Energy Project for “Install Airfield Signs, Taxiway Lights and Runway Guard Lights” from the American Society of Civil Engineers Region 9
2011 Outstanding Public Owner from the San Diego Chapter Associated General Contractors
2010 Outstanding Civil Engineering Project Award in Sustainable Technology for “Install Airfield Signs, Taxiway Lights and Runway Guard Lights” from the American Society of Civil Engineers San Diego Section
2010 Project of the Year Award for the 96 Inch Sewer Pipe Liner from Trenchless Technology
2010 Outstanding Civil Engineering Award for “Install Airfield Signs, Taxiway Lights, and Runway Guard Lights” from the American Society of Civil Engineers
2010 Constructech Vision Award from Constructech Magazine
2009 Project Achievement Award from the Construction Management Association of America
2006 Outstanding Civil Engineering Project for Resurface Runway 9-27 and Taxiway “B” Project from the American Society of Civil Engineers
2007 Finalist for Resurface Runway 9-27 and Taxiway “B” Project from the Association of General Contractors (with FCI Constructors, Inc.)
2007 Exemplary Systems in Government Distinguished Systems Award from The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association
2006 Outstanding Civil Engineering Award for “Improve Runway Safety Area (Engineered Material Arresting System)” at San Diego International Airport from the American Society of Civil Engineers
2003 Partnership Commendation from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Marketing and PR

2016 San Diego County Taxpayers Association Annual Golden Watchdog Award for the Rental Car Center
2016 Edward L. Bernays Bronze Mark of Excellence Award in Press Conferences for “Introducing SAN Rental Car Center” from the Public Relations Society of America San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter
2016 PROTOS Award of Excellence in Press Conference/Press Tour for “Introducing SAN Rental Car Center” from the Public Relations Society of America Orange County Chapter
2014 Bulldog Media Relations; Best Online Newsroom Award
2014 Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) MARCOMM; Excellence in Airport Marketing & Communications Awards: 1st Place: Aviation Education & Tours – Full STEAM Ahead
2nd Place: Promotional Innovations – Green Build Opening Day Baseball
2013 Winner, Routes Americas Airport Marketing Awards
2011 Silver Anvil for the campaign to launch construction on The Green Build. The Silver Anvil is the industry’s highest honor from the Public Relations Society of America in the Community Relations – Government category
2012 Gold SABRE Award in the Government Agencies category for “The Green Build Takes Flight at San Diego International Airport” from The Holmes Report
2012 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st place for Public Relations Campaigns – The Green Build Public Outreach
2012 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st place for Creative Innovations–Promotional Items – Junior Achievement BizTown Mural
2012 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 2nd place for Airport Aviation and Education Programs – Triple Play Web Game
2011 PR Week Honorable Mention in Public Sector Campaign of the Year for “The Green Build Takes Flight”
2011 PROTOS Award of Excellence in Community Relations/Institutional Programs for “The Green Build Takes Flight at San Diego Airport” from the Public Relations Society of America Orange County Chapter
2011 Edward L. Bernays Silver Mark of Excellence Award in Community Relations for “The Green Build Takes Flight” from the Public Relations Society of America San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter
2011 PR Professional of the Year, Diana Lucero, from the Public Relations Society of America San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter
2011 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 2nd Place for Aviation Education & Tour Programs – Junior Achievement BizTown Mural
2011 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 2nd Place for Creative Innovations/Promotional Materials – Jet’s Fun Pack
2011 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 2nd Place for Creative Innovations/Technology – Least Ten Nest Counter on website
2010 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st Place for Creative Innovation, Promotional Item
2010 Finalist for San Diego Book Awards, Picture Book
2010 Finalist for USA Book Awards, Animals & Pets Novelty
2010 Finalist for USA Book Awards, Children’s Novelty
2009 PR Week Finalist in Public Affairs Campaign of the Year for “Public Affairs Campaign for San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s Master Plan Environmental Impact Report”
2009 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence in “Public Affairs – Government” for “Public Affairs Campaign for San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s Master Plan Environmental Impact Report” from the Public Relations Society of America
2008 PROTOS Award for Outstanding Achievement in Website Development for the “San Diego International Airport Master Plan Website: www.SANplan.com” from the Public Relations Society of America Orange County Chapter
2008 Edward L. Bernays Bronze Mark of Excellence in “External Websites” for “San Diego International Airport Master Plan Website: SANplan.com” from the Public Relations Society of America San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter
2004 Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for “The Future Takes Wing: San Diego International Airport, 75 Years of Flight,” in the Historical/Biographical Program category
2004 Edward L. Bernays Silver Mark of Excellence for Integrated Communications from the Public Relations Society of America San Diego Chapter
2004 Peggy G. Hereford Overall Award for Excellence from Airports Council International – North America
2004 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st Place for Aviation Education and Tour Programs
2004 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st Place for Media Guides
2004 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st Place for Press Kits
2004 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st Place for Public Relations Campaigns
2004 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 2nd Place for Video and Film Productions
2004 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 2nd in Creative Innovations-Technology and Corporate Branding Campaigns
2004 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 3rd Place in Black and White Print Advertising
2004 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – Honorable Mention Special Events
2004 Bronze Telly Award for promotional 30-second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) commemorating the 75th anniversary of San Diego International Airport
2003 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st Place in Creative Innovations – Promotions for Centennial of Flight Aviation Activity Book
2003 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 1st Place in Newsletters (Internal) for Jetstreams
2003 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 2nd Place in Aviation Education & Tour Program
2003 Airports Council International – North America Excellence in Airport Marketing and Communications Contest – 2nd in Corporate Branding

Planning and Noise Mitigation

Sustainability

2023

Renewable Diesel Award from ACI-NA (October)
AD-77’s Environmental Hero Award for Renewable Diesel (October)
Award for All Electric Shuttle Program from San Diego Air Pollution Control District (October)

2022

Food Recovery Challenge Award from Environmental Protection Agency (January)
Sutherland Community Service Award from Goodwill (June)
Airports Going Green award for All Electric Shuttle Program (September)

2021

Outstanding BMP Implementation Award for the Northside Stormwater Cistern from CA Stormwater Quality Association (May)
Outstanding Sustainability Management Program from Association of Environmental Professionals (September)
Connectivity Award for Old Town All-Electric Shuttle Service “The Flyer” by Circulate San Diego

2020

San Diego Green Building Council SAN Green Concessions Sustainable Business Patron Award (December)
Airports Going Green Individual Leadership Award (Brendan Reed) (December)
City of San Diego 2019 Waste Reduction and Recycling Award “Recycler of the Year” (award winner for 17 consecutive years) (November)
Environmental Excellence Award for the Northside Stormwater Capture Cistern from Industrial Environmental Association (September)
ACI-NA Environmental Award for Outreach and Communication for the SAN Airport Development Plan Outreach (April)
Climate Leadership Award for Individual Leadership (Brendan Reed) from Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (March)
Climate Leadership Award for Greenhouse Gas Goal Setting from Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (March)

2019

Excellence in Action Awards for Excellence from the WasteReuse Association for AC condensate and T2PP stormwater capture and reuse (September)
City of San Diego 2018 Waste Reduction and Recycling Award “Recycler of the Year” (May)
T2 Parking Plaza Honorable Mention – ACI (Airports at Work Conference) for Environmental Mitigation and Innovation (March)

2018

ACI-NA Environmental Achievement Award – Honorable Mention for Innovative and Special Projects for The Good Traveler
City of San Diego “Recycler of the Year” Award
Large-Hub Airport Innovation Award from American Association of Airport Executives for The Good Traveler and Air Condition Condensate Capture and Reuse projects
EMIES UnWasted Food Award from San Diego Food System Alliance on food diversion program

2017

Environmental Excellence Award by the Industrial Environmental Association (October)
Outstanding Construction and Demolition Award by the California Resource Recovery Association (August)
Excellence in Airport Concessions, First Place, “Best Innovation in Sustainability” for The Good Traveler by the Airports Council International–North America (April)
Outstanding Achievement Award for Innovation Waste Reduction and Recycling by the City of San Diego (March)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Award by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (January)

2002–2016

2016 City of San Diego “Recycler of the Year” Award
2014 City of San Diego Environmental Services Department; Recycler of the Year
2013 LEED Gold Certification for the Receiving and Distribution Center from the US Green Building Council (USGBC)
2012 LEED Gold Certification for the redevelopment of the Facilities Management Building from the USGBC
2012 Environmental Excellence Award in the category of “Air (Convention Pollutant Control)” for the Green Taxi program from the Industrial Environmental Association (IEA)
2012 Recycler of the Year Award from the City of San Diego
2011 Alonzo Award for Sustainable Business Practices from the Downtown San Diego Partnership
2011 Recycler of the Year Award from the City of San Diego
2010 Recycler of the Year Award from the City of San Diego
2009 Recycler of the Year Award from the City of San Diego
2008 Recycler of the Year Award from the City of San Diego
2007 Recycler of the Year Award from the City of San Diego
2004 Recycler of the Year Award from the City of San Diego
2004 Environmental Achievement Award for the Storm Water Management Program from Airports Council International–North America
2004 “Outstanding Technical Report” Award for the Storm Water Management Program from the Association of Environmental Professionals (San Diego Chapter)
2003 Recycler of the Year Award from the City of San Diego

San Diego International Airport (SAN) provides seamless travel experiences with nonstop flights to destinations worldwide, offering convenient services and amenities for all travelers.

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2417 McCain Road
San Diego, CA 92101

619.400.2400

Awards and Recognition

Awards and Recognitions at San Diego International Airport

Recognitions and Awards of Excellence

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