Mayor Garcetti Outlines Partnership with the Chamber

by Gary Toebben

Last Thursday, the L.A. Area Chamber Board of Directors welcomed Mayor Eric Garcetti at its final board meeting of 2013. Mayor Garcetti toasted the Chamber's 125 years of leadership and outlined how his administration, working together with the Chamber, plans to move our economy forward. He asked the Chamber to partner with him in his four part strategy to convene, build, train and market Los Angeles. The Chamber Board gave a standing ovation to this strategy, which is right on target and closely matches the leadership role that the Chamber has played for 125 years.

Convene – Ever since a handful of L.A. business leaders came together in 1888 to figure out how to save L.A. in the face of a large population exodus caused by a real estate decline, the Chamber has been bringing people together to act on critical issues and economic opportunities. At the heart of the Chamber’s founding is the belief that government alone cannot create an environment that is attractive to new jobs and new residents. 

Build – The Chamber's earliest priorities focused on the construction of new infrastructure to facilitate the growth of a great region. Over the years, the Chamber was a leading proponent of building the Port of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Aqueduct, the Colorado River Aqueduct, Los Angeles International Airport, our highway system, transit system and new public schools. In every case, a strong partnership between government and the private sector was required to deliver the projects needed by the community. 

Train – The Chamber’s Education & Workforce Development initiatives are second to none. Nationwide, we have become the model for how business groups engage in creating a skilled and educated workforce from "cradle to career." Our Cash for College programs help students access millions each year in financial aid. HIRE LA's Youth helps youths find summer jobs and the L.A. Compact and its partners collaborate to improve our education system that is essential to the future success of business and our region. 

Market – The founders of the Chamber in 1888 saw marketing as essential to growing the economy of our region and creating the jobs that would attract people to Southern California. They aggressively extended the invitation to businesses and individuals to invest in this land of sunshine and natural resources and were pioneers in international trade when they established World Trade Week in 1926. Mayor Garcetti stressed the importance of international trade and emphasized that having "A City Hall that works" is also key to successfully marketing the City. 

Mayor Garcetti is committed to convening, building, training and marketing and he is optimistic about the future of Los Angeles. The founders of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce felt the same way in 1888, as do the members of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce today.  As has been the case for more than a century, it’s time to get to work … together.

And that's The Business Perspective.