Logistics - The Lifeblood of our Region

by Gary Toebben

Half a million direct jobs. Nearly 600 million tons of freight annually valued at $1.7 trillion. A 55 percent increase in warehouse jobs in the last decade. These numbers from a 2017 LAEDC report are a snapshot into the importance of the goods movement industry in Southern California. From the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, through the heart of L.A. and Orange counties, and deep into the Inland Empire, the jobs associated with international trade and e-commerce sustain more than one-half million families in our region. And the number is growing.

On April 26, the Chamber and Inland Empire Economic Partnership will co-host the fourth annual E-Commerce and Logistics summit at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona. The summit will highlight the transformational impact that e-ecommerce is having on the goods movement industry.

Keynote speakers include Noel Massie, president of UPS Package Operations (and 2014 L.A. Area Chamber Board Chair), on the growth of e-ecommerce and its impact on transporters like UPS. Gregory Healy, senior vice president of Logistics and Supply Chain Consulting for Colliers International will discuss the evolution of the supply chain and challenges of the last mile. Rebecca Salt, director of Worldwide Public Relations for Amazon, will offer an in-depth look into the investments and impact the world's largest e-retailer is having on Southern California. Interwoven throughout their remarks will be dynamic panel discussions on the state of the supply chain in 2018 and a cleaner future for goods movement. You can see the complete lineup of leaders and experts HERE.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti noted in his State of the City address on Monday that international trade through LAX and the ports of Long Beach and L.A. reached an all-time high of $400 billion last year. To handle this growth in trade, our ports, airports, rail network, highways, warehouses, technology infrastructure and job training opportunities must continue to grow and modernize. Join us for an informative and stimulating day discussing the future of e-commerce and the logistic industry in Southern California. I invite you to register HERE today.

And that's The Business Perspective.