Get to the Heart of Business on June 20 at BIZCON SoCal

by Gary Toebben

Los Angeles' economy is driven by 270,000 businesses that call this city and county home. These businesses, large and small, employ more than 3.9 million people and they have established L.A. as one of the most dynamic and diverse economies in the world.

Our strengths include a world-leading creative economy with a fast-growing high-tech sector; a logistics industry that handles international trade to every congressional district in the U.S.; the largest manufacturing base in the U.S.; and long-standing leadership in aviation and aerospace. Our businesses represent billions of dollars in foreign investments, thousands of ethnic based small entrepreneurs and a rapidly increasing number of start-ups in all industry sectors.

As the voice of business in region, the mission of the L.A. Area Chamber is to build a broad-based economy and help our businesses, both large and small, grow and prosper. With that goal in mind, we have developed BIZCON SoCal, an exciting conference focused on celebrating, growing and inspiring businesses.

Co-hosted by the Chamber and the U.S. Small Business Administration, BIZCON SoCal will be held on June 20 at the Omni Hotel, Los Angeles. This inaugural event will bring together more than 500 entrepreneurs, business professionals and motivational role models from across the region for an exchange of ideas, information, inspiration, and access to capital and customers.

To kick-off this new signature event, we have secured nationally renowned speakers and industry-leading panelists to share their stories, best practices and insider tips to educate and inspire. General sessions at breakfast and lunch will be complemented by 12 breakout sessions focused on access to capital, procurement, marketing and networking.

BIZCON SoCal will feature regionally and nationally renowned speakers, including Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly; Scott Budnick, producer of "The Hangover" & Founder, ARC and Good Films; Betty Porto, vice president, Community & Guest Relations, Porto's Bakery & Cafe; Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries; and Steve Lehman co-founder of Business Rockstars.

BIZCON is open to the public, but as a Chamber member, you are invited to register at a special discounted rate. View our full schedule and speaker line up, and RSVP today. This day will be an investment in the growth of your business and our regional economy. We encourage you to join us.

And that's The Business Perspective.