Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts 2022 World Trade Week Kick Off Conference
World Trade Week, the Most Extensive Program of Its Kind, Promotes International Trade In Growing the Economy
May 3, 2022
by L.A. Area Chamber
LOS ANGELES, CA – May 5, 2022 – Today, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its 96th annual World Trade Week (WTW) kickoff event at the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE. With nearly 500 business leaders and members of the diplomatic corps in attendance, the event launches the largest World Trade Week celebration of its kind in the country in observance of the month-long celebration of global trade. This event is the first time in 2 years that it returns to an in-person format.
President and CEO of the L.A. Area Chamber, Maria S. Salinas, said, “As the Los Angeles region and the nation reopens, this year’s World Trade Week serves as a bridge, not only to the bright future before us, but to the economies and communities of the world and their future as well. The variety and expanse of our booming ports, trade, and business sector diversity cannot be matched and will ensure the Los Angeles region continues to recover with innovation, equity, and the entrepreneurial spirit.”
The program features a keynote address by Founder and CEO of TealBook, Stephany LaPierre and an esteemed panel on the future of supply chains, moderated by Cindy Allen, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance of Fedex Logistics. Guests will also hear from a variety of speakers, including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and others. The Chamber will also present its annual industry awards during the program.
Norman Arikawa, who recently retired from the Port of Los Angeles with 52 years of service to the City of Los Angeles, will be recognized as the 2022 recipient of the Stanley T. Olafson Award. This, the Chamber’s most prestigious award, recognizes an outstanding member of the global trade community in Southern California who has gone above and beyond throughout their career contributing to and promoting international trade.
The Export Achievement Award recognizes Southern California companies which have demonstrated success in exporting or have provided export services over the past two years. PanDia Seeds Inc., a wholesale vegetable seed company that specializes in the research and development of naturally improved vegetable seed varieties for farmers around the world, will be this year's recipient of the Export Achievement Award for 2022.
The Bob Kleist Leadership Award, which recognizes an organization demonstrating inspirational and visionary leadership in the development of global trade in Southern California, was awarded to Guy Fox and Associates.
Scott Santoro, World Trade Week Committee Chair and Vice President Los Angeles, Sales – Central and West at Delta Air Lines, the Chamber’s World Trade Week presenting sponsor, said, “The theme of this year’s World Trade Week - ‘Reconnecting the World’ - is a theme that resonates deeply with all 75,000+ of us at Delta Air Lines, as it is our mission to bring people closer together in ways that positively impact our world. As L.A.’s largest and leading carrier, Delta offers access to an unparalleled global network right here from Southern California, supporting the ability to travel freely, which is key to the success of global trade. We’re committed to supporting growth here in the region and look forward to doing so by continuing to connect the Southern California business community with its partners across the world.”
For more information on the 2022 World Trade Week, visit https://lachamber.com/world-