United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke Addresses Business and Trade Leaders at The Americas Business Forum

LOS ANGELES, CA – United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke today joined Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other regional trade leaders in delivering remarks at The Americas Business Forum hosted by the United States Foreign and Commercial Service and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  During his remarks Secretary Locke highlighted opportunities for economic growth through trade. 

"One of my highest priorities as Secretary of Commerce is to help the United States expand and develop strong and fair trading partnerships in this hemisphere and around the globe," said Secretary Locke. "Trade can create jobs and economic growth for American workers and companies."

The culminating event in the national World Trade Week observance, The Americas Business Forum convened senior commercial officers stationed at 14 U.S. Embassies in the Western Hemisphere and nearly 200 regional business leaders to discuss export opportunities to create jobs, bolster trade and grow the economy.  The event included additional remarks from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Pacific Council of International Policy President Emeritus Dr. Abraham Lowenthal, UCLA Anderson School of Management Dean Judy Olian, Institute of the Americas President Jeffrey Davidow and UCLA Anderson School of Management Professor Sebastian Edwards.

“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.  “The L.A. Area Chamber is proud to host Secretary Locke at The Americas Business Forum as we work to grow business and create jobs in the Southern California region through trade and exports.”

Made possible through a partnership between the United States and Foreign Commercial Service and the L.A. Area Chamber, the first-of-its-kind event in the region featured breakout sessions and topics including: 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 Americas Business Forum is sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airports and the Port of Los Angeles in association with several other regional businesses and organizations.

More information on The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and The Americas Business Forum  is available at www.lachamber.com.  More 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.