The Chamber Hosts World Trade Week 2023

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce held its 97th annual World Trade Week Kickoff Conference, themed "Building a Future Ready Supply Chain." Nearly 500 international trade professionals and dignitaries attended the event. The program explored all aspects of the supply chain in the Los Angeles region. Fran Inman, Senior Vice President of Majestic Realty and Conference Chair, brought together leaders from all aspects of the supply chain to discuss strengthening the system. View the photos here.

Chamber Leadership Advocates for Members at U.S. State Department

The L.A. Area Chamber's Martin Breidsprecher, Chief Operating Officer, and Kenneth Wengrod, Vice President of Global Trade and Foreign Investment, met with key staff from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Bilateral Trade Affairs, including, Director Robert Manogue, Deputy Director David Henry, and David MacDonald, Trade Policy Advisor for China and Taiwan, Bureau China Coordinator. The meeting aimed to strengthen the Chamber's working relationship with the U.S. State Department.

U.S. Trade Representative’s Office Meets with Chamber

Kenneth Wengrod met with Sophia Sokolowski, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and Roberto Soberanis, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement.

Global Initiatives Council: 2023 Global Trade Outlook

The Global Initiatives Council hosted a presentation with Reta Jo Lewis, Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., and Jason Prince, Partner at Crowell & Moring and former chief counsel to the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Nicole Simonian, Chair of the Global Initiatives Council and Partner at Crowell & Moring, moderated the event. The speakers highlighted key strategies related to the significance of exports by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the U.S. economy, with a specific emphasis on SMEs owned by women and people of color.

Chamber Welcomes Chilean Ambassador and Delegation

The Chamber's Global Team was part of a delegation that met with Chilean Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdes to discuss increasing trade between Chile and the Southern California region, sustainability, and green hydrogen energy. The delegation consisted of Ian Frederick, Chair of the Diplomatic & Commercial Officers Group (DCOG) and Trade Commissioner for Chile's government export promotion bureau (Pro Chile), Noel Hacegaba, Deputy Executive Director for the Port of Long Beach, and Marisela Caraballo DiRuggiero, Director of Trade Development for the Port of Los Angeles.

South African Delegation Visits Chamber

The Chamber's global team met with South Africa's Deputy Chief of Mission and current Acting Consul General, Venita Smit, to discuss potential areas of collaboration and to promote trade and investments that could benefit both Los Angeles and South Africa.

Chamber Attends Reception for Chinese Consul General

Guo Shaochun, Consul General (Ambassadorial-Rank) of the People's Republic of China in Los Angeles, was introduced to the community at a reception at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. The event was attended by 500 guests, including Chamber members, dignitaries from the U.S. State Department, the California Governor's Office, the Los Angeles Mayor's Office, and state and local elected officials, as well as several Los Angeles-based consulates.

Gene Seroka Honored with Stanley T. Olafson Award

The Chamber recognized Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, as the recipient of the Stanley T. Olafson Award at this year's World Trade Week event. The award is the Chamber's most prestigious honor and recognizes an exceptional member of the global trade community in Southern California. Mr. Seroka is recognized for his contributions to the promotion of international trade throughout his distinguished career.

Chamber Hosted Retired General as WTW Keynote Speaker

Our 2023 World Trade Week Keynote Speaker was General Stephen R. Lyons (U.S. Army Retired), Port and Supply Chain Envoy to the White House Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force. General Lyons discussed the importance of the Los Angeles region’s ports, and how integral they are for our nation’s economy.

Kenyan International Investment Conference

The Government of the Republic of Kenya is hosting their 3rd annual International Investment Conference from May 29 to 31. This year’s conference theme is “Unlocking Africa’s Gateway,” and will be held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. Learn more here.

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces Key Infrastructure Funding to Electrify Ports

The Biden Administration announced investments to make our ports safer, cleaner, more efficient, and more reliable as a part of President Biden's 'Investing in America' agenda. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to invest $3 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology, as well as assist ports in creating climate action plans to reduce pollutants, improve air quality, and promote environmental justice in neighboring communities. The EPA will also invest $1 billion to reduce emissions from heavy-duty commercial vehicles, including those operating in and out of ports.