Chamber Celebrates Global Trade in Long Beach
The Chamber welcomed over 400 international trade professionals to Long Beach for the 98th World Trade Week Southern California Conference. Guests heard from leaders in business, policy and international trade, including Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Director Enoh T. Ebong of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and L.A. Deputy Mayor Erin Bromaghim. The Chamber also awarded $15,000 in student scholarships to students pursuing a career in global trade. World Trade Week committee chair and Port of Long Beach COO Dr. Noel Hacegaba also moderated an insightful panel discussion, “Shaping the Future Together: An Outlook on Global Trade and the Path to Get Us There,” which featured industry experts including Dr. Nick Vyas, Stephanie Hughes, Vince Iacopella and Amy Grat. The Chamber would like to thank all who this a successful event.
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Lt. Governor Headlines World Trade Week Breakfast
The L.A. Area Chamber welcomed California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, for an informative fireside chat with Chamber President & CEO, Maria S. Salinas, for the organization's 98th World Trade Week Southern California Conference. The two discussed the future of global trade and how California can take advantage of emerging trends and shifting trade flows to ensure competitiveness and growth. They also discussed the role technology and AI can play in shaping global trade, building a skilled workforce and maximizing the state’s strengths.
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LAUSD Launches New Platform, Ed
The Los Angeles Unified School District has launched an innovative AI-powered learning acceleration platform named Ed, a first-of-its-kind tool designed to provide the district’s students and their families with the resources and support needed to fast-track student achievement beyond the school day, with personalized action plans uniquely tailored to each student. Ed is currently available to students and families at select schools but will be rolled out to the remainder of the district. Learn more about Ed here.
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Chamber Joins Small Business Summit
L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is celebrating Small Business Month with a series of summits. These free in-person events began on April 29 in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles and will provide help for small businesses to recover, grow, and thrive. Free business resources, training, panel discussions, and more set the stage for a month dedicated to empowering small businesses. Additional sessions include May 9 at Mission College and May 15 at Cal State University Los Angeles, which will feature Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. For more information, register here.
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L.A. City Council to Add Independent Redistricting Commission
This week, the L.A. City Council voted to approve the recommendations outlined in the Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform report. They also approved the revised ordinances and resolutions proposed by the City Attorney related to the introduction of a Charter Amendment aimed at establishing an independent redistricting commission for the City of Los Angeles. This proposed amendment will be put on the ballot for consideration by voters during the City's General Municipal Election scheduled for November 5, 2024. The Chamber is also monitoring and engaging a number of city governance proposals, including a ballot measure proposal establishing Ethics Commission reforms and the creation of a Charter Reform Commission.
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State Legislature Update
This week, the state legislature policy committees met to consider bills to meet the Friday deadline for deliberating and reporting on nonfiscal bills introduced within their house. The Chamber continues to advocate for bills that need to be heard in policy committees, as well as those that have been referred to the Appropriations committees. Priority bills referred to the Appropriations committee include the Chamber-opposed Senate Bill 1116 (Portantino), which would provide unemployment insurance benefits for striking workers, and the Chamber-supported Assembly Bill 2943 (Zbur) which would impact professional retail thieves and give law enforcement more tools to combat retail theft.
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Corinne Murat Awarded Stanley T. Olafson Bronze Plaque
The Stanley T. Olafson Award is the L.A. Area Chamber’s most prestigious honor and was presented to Corinne Murat, Director of Government Affairs at Mattel at this year’s World Trade Week celebration. The award is presented annually to a member of the international trade community whose outstanding dedication and achievements in the field have advanced trade in the Southern California region. We congratulate Corinne and her significant impacts to global trade in Southern California and beyond.
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Marine Exchange & Vessel Tracking Receives Bob Kleist Leadership Award
Congratulations to Marine Exchange & Vessel Tracking, this year’s recipient of the Bob Kleist Leadership Award. The award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated inspirational and visionary leadership in the development of world trade in Southern California. Captain Kipling Louttit, Executive Director at Marine Exchange & Vessel Tracking of Southern California accepted the award on the organization’s behalf.
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Wellness for Entrepreneurs
Join us for the next installment of "Small Business Strong" on May 15, with Phillip Lawrence of Shift Training Inc. He will discuss the "Essential Pillars of Wellness for Entrepreneurs," exploring how each pillar intersects and how they can be leveraged to maintain health while building your business. Register here.
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Small Business Readiness for Resiliency
The Small Business Readiness for Resiliency program is a collaborative initiative by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and FedEx, providing support to small businesses with a $5,000 grant following a federal disaster declaration in their area. To learn more and to register, click here.
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Commercial Acquisition Fund Program
Explore new growth opportunities for your business with the Commercial Acquisition Fund program, which provides critical financial support for your commercial property acquisitions and helps you expand your business footprint. Sign up today to access tailored funding solutions and start building your future.
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Chamber Meets with State L.A. Delegation
The 39-member Los Angeles delegation to the state legislature, chaired by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, invited Chamber President & CEO Maria S. Salinas to serve as the guest speaker at its most recent meeting. The conversation focused upon capacity building initiatives for small businesses in the Los Angeles region and the Chamber's role as a strong advocate for the inclusion of small businesses in contracting and procurement opportunities. To learn more about small business technical assistance programs at the Chamber, visit here.
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Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
We're celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and highlighting the impactful contributions of our AAPI community members. This week, we recognize Holly Choon Hyang Bachman, founder of the Mixed Roots Foundation. Holly is a long-time member of the L.A. Area Chamber and founding member of the Chamber's Nonprofit Council. She has also performed various roles in the Chamber such as a membership representative and ambassador.
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COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS
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Energy, Water, & Environmental Sustainability Council
Wednesday, May 8, 10:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join us to learn more about the burgeoning hydrogen economy in the Los Angeles region. The meeting will feature a panel discussion with professionals from Air Products, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Port of Long Beach, and Southern California Gas Company. They'll highlight local projects, opportunities and challenges, participation in the ARCHES initiative, and the Clean Ports Program.
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Ad Hoc on Homelessness Committee
Tuesday, May 14, 9:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY 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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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
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