Priscilla Hopper staff writer
The Will Rogers Awards Gala was hosted at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills on Nov. 9, 2016. Nominees and spectators walked the red carpet to make an appearance before entering the dinner and awards show.
Will Rogers was a respected writer, actor and social commentator. The award recognizes the achievements of Beverly Hills real estate institutions and businesses.

The gala promoted the restoration of parks around the city like the Beverly Hills Garden Park and was hosted by Vicki Smith, regional education director of La Mer Skin Care.

“You have to maintain, and when you’ve been gifted with such a beautiful city, whether it’s a home or a garden or a park, you have to take care of it,” Smith said.
Proceeds from the event were contributed to the City of Beverly Hills Community Charitable Foundation.
“If it was not for Beverly Hills residents’ businesses, our community would not be as well known as it is. Celebrating our community and bringing people together to raise money for the restoration of our parks helps to benefit everyone in the city,” junior Sophia Martin said after reporting on the event for KBEV6.
The following were awarded:
Real Estate Lifetime Achievement – Jeff Hyland
Restaurant of the Year  – Wally’s Beverly Hills
Business of the Year – Nespresso
Retailer of the Year – John Carroll, Carroll & Co.
Citizen of the Year – Giacomino Drago
Realtor of the Year – Brooke Knapp & Drew Mandile Team
Development of the Year – Kennedy Wilson, 150/151 El Camino Drive, Andrew T. Mangan
Outstanding Architectural Design – ArchitectJose Fernandez and Ilene and Jeff Nathan, 718 N. Linden Drive
Outstanding Historic Restoration – Beverly Hills Hotel
Outstanding Historic Restoration Residential – Tim Campbell, 1113 Beverly Drive
Sustainable Development  – Burberry, 301 N. Rodeo Drive