87TH ANNUAL WORLD TRADE WEEK KICK OFF BREAKFAST
More than 500 business executives and members of the diplomatic corps gathered this morning for the 87th Annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live. "I encourage each of you to look beyond the U.S. and utilize the other 95 percent of the world's population to grow your business and provide economic growth to the L.A. area," said World Trade Week Chair Noel Massie, UPS. Chamber Board Member Joseph Czyzyk, Mercury Air Group, Inc., received the prestigious Stanley T. Olafson Bronze Plaque Award for his commitment to expand international trade opportunities in Southern California. Keynote speaker Tyler Bryson, Microsoft Corporation (above left), discussed how new technology can help small businesses become more competitive in the global market. Contact Jasmin Sakai-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569. Above from left, Chamber Board Chair Alan Rothenberg, 1st Century Bank; World Trade Week Chair Noel Massie, UPS; Stanley T. Olafson Bronze Plaque Award Winner Joseph Czyzyk; and Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben. Photo by: ImageActive

Chamber, Magic Johnson and business stand up in support of Wendy Greuel for mayor
This morning, former Los Angeles Lakers great and Los Angeles Dodgers, Inc. owner, Earvin "Magic" Johnson joined the Chamber and other business organizations for a press conference to support Wendy Greuel for mayor. "She is the only candidate who has experience signing the front of the paycheck – not just the back," said Gary Toebben, citing Greuel's background as a business owner, executive and advocate for businesses. Contact Ruben Gonzalez, 213.580.7568.


• LAX modernization
On Tuesday, with a 10-3 vote, the L.A. City Council approved the critical separation of the north runways and the overall modernization of the Los Angeles International Airport. The Chamber applauds the 10 City Council members — Council President Herb Wesson, Tom Labonge, Ed Reyes, Paul Krekorian, Paul Koretz, Richard Alarcon, Bernard Parks, Mitch Englander, Jose Huizar and Joe Buscaino — for making a bold decision to make LAX safer, more efficient and competitive. Contact Ruben Gonzalez, 213.580.7568.

• California Environmental Quality Act
On Wednesday, the Chamber testified in Sacramento in support of SB 731 (Steinberg), which passed unanimously out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. “While we recognize that we have a long way to go to achieve meaningful CEQA Reform, we believe that this bill is an important step forward," said Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben testifying as co-chair of the Statewide CEQA Working Group. We encourage Chamber members to communicate to legislators that meaningful CEQA reform should be a priority this year. The Chamber also opposed SB 617 (Evans), which would expand CEQA requirements. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.

• L.A. City departments realignment
On Tuesday, L.A.'s Planning and Land Use Management Committee voted to send the Budget Committee and the L.A. City Council the proposed plan to functionally integrate the departments of Planning and Building and Safety under a new Department of City Planning and Development. The Chamber testified in support of the plan and provided specific recommendations to help guide its implementation to add accountability, efficiency and certainty to the City’s development process. Contact Tina Hossain, 213.580.7531.

• Gov. Brown signs Chamber-supported AB 113
On Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 113 (Assembly Budget Committee), which directs $1.6 million to the Secretary of State's Office to accelerate the State's business filing process and eliminate a massive backlog of filings. "The sooner Californians can form their businesses, the sooner they can put other Californians to work," said Gov. Brown. Contact Jessica Duboff, 213.580.7558.




Businesses discuss the benefit of high school engagement
On a continued effort to make the link between education, career and regional economic prosperity, UNITE – LA hosted a Business-Education Partnerships meeting on Wednesday to discuss how companies can benefit from high school engagement opportunities. Linked Learning – an integration of rigorous academics with career-based learning and real world workplace, experience – will help ensure California has an engaged 21st century workforce. Contact Chelsey Rask, 213.580.7572.

New American Leaders focus on local government resources
On Wednesday, the New American Leaders 2013 fellows discussed how to engage in advocacy issues and gained a better perspective on local government resources. "How are we going to pay for police and fire if the State keeps most of the money? Unfortunately it's a constant battle," said Kristine Guerrero, California League of Cities. Contact Simon Flores, 213.580.7547.

Thanks to the following for their support of our 125th Anniversary campaign: David Fleming, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, Kaiser Permanente and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. A birdseye view of hundreds of people sitting and listening to a speaker at the cornerstone laying of the L.A. Chamber of Commerce building on Broadway and 1st Street on May 28, 1903. Read more. USC Special Collections