Amazon Rolls Out Heavy Duty Electric Trucks
Amazon announced the release of 50 new heavy-duty electric trucks, the largest fleet of its kind. The launch represents an important milestone in Amazon's work towards decarbonizing every step of its delivery process across the first, middle, and last mile. The fleet includes the first-ever electric drayage trucks in ocean freight operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Amazon partnered with Forum Mobility, Volvo, and JB Hunt to launch this bold effort. The Chamber was excited to join Amazon executives, Mayor Karen Bass, Deputy Mayor Nancy Sutley, and Port of L.A. Executive Director Gene Seroka for the announcement.
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Milken Institute Hosts 2024 Global Conference
This week, leaders in business, finance, government, entertainment, and philanthropy convened for the 27th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference. Themed "Shaping a Shared Future," the four-day event attracted over 5,000 participants to discuss the challenges being faced across innovation and technology, health and medical research, diversity and inclusion, business and industry. Notable speakers and panels provided expert insights on geopolitical issues, climate change, and artificial intelligence. Michael Milken concluded the conference with a compelling conversation with former President Bill Clinton, covering diplomacy, global challenges, and public health.
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Councilmembers Price and de León Reinstated to City Council Committees
This week, L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian reinstated Councilmembers Curren Price and Kevin de León to select committees. Price, who represents part of South L.A., resigned last June amid charges of embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. His newly assigned committees oversee public safety, trade and tourism, civil rights and personnel issues. De León, representing part of the Eastside, was involved in a recorded conversation with racist remarks in October 2022. He has been assigned to committees dealing with housing and homelessness, trade and tourism, energy and the environment and transportation.
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Los Angeles Hosts U.S. Travel Association’s IPW Convention
This week Los Angeles Convention Center welcomed 5,700 global travel buyers, trade media, and suppliers for the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW tradeshow. As the region continues to rebuild global travel, providing a platform to conduct business and renew relationships is vitally important. Past IPWs have generated more than $5.5 billion in future travel by connecting U.S. travel exhibitors with travel buyers and media to promote their products and negotiate future business, securing America’s position as a leading travel destination. Travel and tourism has the power to transform an economy and in Los Angeles, it supports over 530,000 careers and in 2023, it added over $40 billion to our local economy.
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Chamber Joins Supervisor Horvath's Business Roundtable
The Chamber joined a roundtable hosted by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey P. Horvath for the business community. Chair Horvath discussed homelessness, housing affordability, business interruption funding and transportation projects she supports as a LA Metro Board Member. She also noted the upcoming budget that must be approved in June. Supervisor Horvath also shared the county's efforts to address homelessness.
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Governor Newsom Issues May Budget Revision
Governor Gavin Newsom released his May Budget Revision, which revises his previously released proposed budget from January for the fiscal year beginning July 1. In his press conference, a summary of the revisions were provided, with more details, bill language, and other documents expected to be released on May 14. The budget deficit is expected to grow by more than $10 billion, due to the anticipated increase in state revenues not materializing. The Chamber will continue to advocate to save several critical programs in the budget. View the press release and May Revise summary document here.
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Chamber Meets with Inter-American Development Bank
The Inter-American Development Bank provides development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. Their visit to Los Angeles for the Milken Institute Global Conference included a stop at the Chamber and Los Angeles Economic Development Center to discuss the recently launched BID for the Americas. Members of the Trade and Investment Division met with the Chamber to deepen collaboration with resources to foster greater trade and investment in Latin America and the Caribbean. Learn more about BID for the Americas here.
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Thank You for Joining World Trade Week
Over 400 business, civic and international trade leaders convened to highlight the benefits of global trade in the local, state and national economy at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s 98th World Trade Week Southern California Conference. Thank you to all who attended and to our sponsors for helping make this event a success. View photos here.
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California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) administers the California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), which seeks to increase the number of small business exporters, and the volume of goods and services they export. STEP helps small businesses to begin exporting or grow their existing export sales by providing reimbursable Export Vouchers and access to events. Learn more about how your business can participate in the California STEP Program.
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L.A. Regional Small Business Summit at Cal State Los Angeles
Join us at the County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Mayor's Office Small Business Summit on May 15 at Cal State Los Angeles from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This free, event aims to help small businesses recover, grow, and thrive by bringing together the region's top free business resources, services, and programs all in one place. The event will feature panel discussions, a resource expo with major public and private providers of free business support and a fireside chat with Mayor Karen Bass. For further details, please visit here.
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Father Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries, Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
Father Gregory Boyle, founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the gang-intervention and rehabilitation program in Los Angeles, was one of the 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom last Friday at the White House. In 1988, Father Boyle founded what would become Homeboy Industries in East L.A., which helps formerly incarcerated individuals in Los Angeles, turn their lives around. Homeboy Industries has now helped thousands of Angelenos with employment opportunities, but it also provides support and encouragement. Members of the community filled the lobby of Homeboy Industries to watch Boyle receive the nation's highest civilian honor.
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Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
We're celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and proudly highlighting the impactful contributions of our AAPI community members. This week, we recognize Andy Park, Managing Partner of the Greater Los Angeles Office at Ernst & Young (EY). Leading a dynamic team of 2,300 professionals, Andy drives growth and fosters EY's inclusive, people-focused culture. As a Korean-American and first-generation college graduate, Andy is passionate about empowering underserved students through education and opportunity. He is also a dedicated 'girl dad' and serves on the Board of the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, as well as on the L.A. Area Chamber Board of Governors, where he holds the position of second vice chair.
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COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS
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Ad Hoc on Homelessness Committee
Tuesday, May 14, 9:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the next Ad Hoc on Homelessness Committee meeting to hear from Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Chief of Housing & Homelessness for L.A. City Mayor Karen Bass, on efforts to address housing and homelessness in the city.
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Innovation and Technology Council
Tuesday, May 14, 2:00 p.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Please join us at the next Innovation & Technology Policy Council meeting, where the topic will be the role of education in technology.
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Small Business Council
Wednesday, May 15, 10:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to join us for a discussion on preserving mental well-being while balancing the demands of entrepreneurship. Special guest, Phillip Lawrence, CEO of Shift Training Inc., will share insights into the essential pillars of Wellness for Entrepreneurs. Don't miss this unique opportunity to gain invaluable insights.
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
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