Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and The United States and Foreign Commercial Service Partner to Host The Americas Business Forum

LOS ANGELES – The United States and Foreign Commercial Service and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce today announced a partnership to host The Americas Business Forum -- the first-ever regional export conference May 27 – 28, 2009 in downtown Los Angeles.  The two-day event will bring senior commercial officers stationed at 14 U.S. Embassies in the Western Hemisphere to meet with regional business leaders to discuss export opportunities to create jobs, bolster trade, and grow the economy.

“International trade serves as an economic engine, supporting jobs and growth across the United States, including Southern California,” said Rochelle J. Lipsitz, Acting Assistant U.S. Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service.  “The Americas Business Forum is an important event that will connect Southern California businesses with market opportunities in Canada and Latin America – significant trade partners for the United States.”

The first-of-its-kind event in the region, The Americas Business Forum will include remarks from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, UCLA Anderson School of Management Dean Judy Olian and other trade experts.  Key topics to be discussed include: the legal framework for exporting; protection of intellectual property; free trade agreements in the region; trade logistics and channels of distribution; business opportunities in 14 countries; and creating jobs through exporting.  The event is sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airports and the Port of Los Angeles in association with more than a dozen other regional businesses and organizations.

“As the gateway to the Americas, Southern California businesses have a tremendous untapped opportunity in Latin America,” said Gary Toebben, President  & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  “We are proud to partner with the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service to help our region’s businesses realize these opportunities while also helping to create jobs and grow our local economy.”

The Americas Business Forum is hosted in conjunction with World Trade Week, a month-long observance of the significance of international trade to Southern California and the nation.  More information on The Americas Business Forum is available at www.lachamber.com/tabs.  Information on World Trade Week is available at: www.worldtradeweek.com.

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The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com.