CHAMBER CO-ORGANIZES FORUM FOR CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO LOS ANGELES
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping attended the U.S.-China Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum on Friday at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live. The forum was attended by U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson, Gov. Jerry Brown and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Los Angeles is the major hub of trade between China and the United States," said Vice President Xi. California exported $12.4 billion in goods and services to China in 2010. Above, second from left Secretary Bryson, second from right Vice President Xi and far right Gov. Jerry Brown. Contact Carlos J. Valderrama, 213.580.7570.

Business community and Metro to address Regional Connector construction
Certification of the final environmental document for the Regional Connector Transit Corridor has been rescheduled for March so that the business community and Metro can work out construction issues that would severely impact Flower Street between 4th and 6th streets. The Chamber advocated for Metro to work with the Financial District to find a solution that would minimize the disruption to businesses that are just beginning to show signs of recovery. The Chamber is in full support of the 1.9-mile light rail line, but wants to ensure that it's achieved with minimal impact to the businesses that have contributed so much to making downtown a destination. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

Chamber participates in Home for Good summit
Home for Good celebrated its first year of accomplishments at a summit on Thursday at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live. "We are coming together like we never have before to make a difference," said Jerry Neuman, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP, and co-chair of the Business Leaders Task Force on Homelessness. The Home for Good plan, which aims to end long-term and veteran homelessness in the County by 2016, is endorsed by more than 100 community leaders and organizations. "While Home for Good is not the first plan to end homelessness in L.A., it has great potential to be the last," said Barbara Poppe, executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.

Global Connections Summit highlights impact of immigrant communities
"Over time we've created a situation of segregated diversity," said Professor Ali Modarres, California State University, Los Angeles, at the Southern California Leadership Network's Global Connections Summit Thursday at the Chamber. Panelists, including L.A. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian; Brandon Shamim, Beacon Management Group; and James Herr, The Boeing Co., discussed the demographic changes within the region and the role of emerging first- and second-generation leaders. The discussions also laid the groundwork for SCLN's newest fellowship, New American Leaders, which will develop and promote leadership skills for first- and second-generation Americans. Thank you to the California Community Foundation for funding the summit. Contact Nathalie Antenor, 213.580.7549.

University of California Los Angeles' Institute of the Environment and Sustainability receives funding The California Energy Commission recently awarded $1.9 million for a research project initiated by UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. The award will be used to develop the proposed California Center for Sustainable Communities, which will research the potential energy savings from better community design, integrated land use and transportation practices.  Read more. Click here to submit your member good news.