L.A. Area Chamber Ends the Year with Member Celebration
The Chamber hosted its annual Holiday VIP Reception at the Petersen Automotive Museum, presented by Optimum Seismic, Inc. More than 300 guests, including leading business and civic partners and elected officials, gathered to celebrate the Chamber’s year-long work and valued collaborations. President & CEO Maria S. Salinas opened the program, followed by remarks from Ali Sahabi of Optimum Seismic, Jeff Wilson of Chevron, 2025 Board Chair George Pla, and First Vice Chair Andy Park.
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Chamber Joins End-of-Year Global Sports Roundtable
The Chamber joined civic leaders and community organizations at Los Angeles City Hall for the final 2025 LA28 and FIFA Small Business Engagement Roundtable. Convened by the Mayor’s Office of Major Events, LA28, and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC), the discussion reaffirmed a “Games for All” vision with historic goals for local and small-business spending. Partners highlighted upcoming opportunities tied to FIFA 2026, LA28, the NBA All-Star Game, and Super Bowl 2027, and encouraged businesses to register on RAMP LA and Compete4LA, as well as engage with the FIFA Local Impact Supplier Program and community activation toolkits. Read the full meeting brief here.
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Chamber Recognizes the Lasting Impact of Frank Gehry on Los Angeles’ Skyline
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce mourns the passing of Frank Gehry, the visionary architect who transformed our city’s skyline. From the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall to landmarks around the world, Gehry’s bold and innovative designs elevated Los Angeles as a hub of creativity. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of architects, artists, and dreamers. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who admired his extraordinary work.
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Los Angeles Set to Host Eight Matches for FIFA World Cup 2026
Last week, the FIFA World Cup 2026 group matchups were announced. Los Angeles will host eight matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, including the U.S. Men’s National Team opening match. Of the five group-stage games in L.A., the U.S. will play in two, with a potential quarterfinal match on July 10. SoFi Stadium will also host Belgium, Iran, New Zealand, Paraguay, Switzerland, and the two European play-off qualifiers. View the full match schedule here.
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SCAG's 2025 Economic Update
The Southern California Association of Governments released the 2025 Southern California Economic Update, featuring a region-wide analysis of 2025 and an outlook for 2026 and 2027. The update reports that economic progress in the region is mixed, with the healthcare industry and technology firms seeing increased job demand and higher valuation, respectively, while the region saw remarkably low job growth and increasingly slowing new housing construction. Read the full report here for more insights on the region and economic analysis of the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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California Lawmakers Examine AI’s Impact on Copyright and the Creative Economy
On Monday, California lawmakers held a joint hearing to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping copyright law and the State’s entertainment industry. Experts from academia, creative unions, and the entertainment sector discussed legal and technical challenges of generative AI and its effect on creators’ livelihoods. Legislators stressed balancing artist protections with clear rules for responsible AI innovation. Public commenters urged passage of AB 412, requiring AI firms to disclose copyrighted works used in training. The hearing highlighted the economic importance of creative sectors and the need to prevent exploitation of uncompensated human work.
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Chamber Highlights FIFA World Cup 2026 Economic Impact on Telemundo
The Chamber's Chief Operating Officer & CFO, Martin K. Breidsprecher, was featured on Telemundo 52 discussing the expected economic impact of the FIFA World Cup 2026 - Canada, Mexico, and the United States on local businesses. Watch the full segment here.
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Stronger Together: Empower Our Small Business Community
This National Giving Month, we invite you to support the small businesses that keep our community thriving and those that are working to recover from the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Your contribution helps sustain our year-round programs while strengthening our fire relief efforts, including direct recovery support. Every donation makes a meaningful impact. Thank you for standing with local small businesses this holiday season. Learn more here.
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Small Business Preparedness Tips for California Weather
Winter storms, power outages, and supply delays can disrupt small business operations. Outsmart Disaster offers essential preparedness tips, from emergency kits and communication plans to insurance reviews and outage strategies. Taking proactive steps now helps protect your staff, safeguard assets, and maintain business continuity, even in unpredictable California weather.
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Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
The L.A. Area Chamber met with Dallis Barnes, Emergency Management Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), who emphasized that the SBA will continue supporting small businesses affected by the wildfires through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). These low-interest loans with 0% interest and no payments for the first 12-months can help businesses maintain operations, recover, and rebuild stronger. Apply here.
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AltaMed Releases Economic Impact Report: $15.1 Billion in Activity for Southern California
AltaMed recently released its Impact Report, showing a robust impact on the local economy. Recently certified as a Great Place to Work, 85% of employees rate AltaMed highly, compared with 57% nationally. These findings underscore how culturally competent, community-based care drives economic mobility and contributes to a more resilient Los Angeles economy.
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UC Merced Secures Historic $38 Million Gift
UC Merced, a L.A. Area Chamber member, has received a transformational $38 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott—the largest in its history. This second major gift accelerates UC Merced’s mission to expand research, enhance student success, and strengthen access for first-generation students. Together with Scott’s previous $20 million contribution, these investments underscore UC Merced’s rise as a leading public research university, driving opportunity and innovation across California. Learn more here.
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COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS
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Passing the Gavel: 2026 Inaugural
Thursday, February 5, 2026
The L.A. Area Chamber will host our annual Inaugural Dinner on Thursday, February 5, 2025, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom. Join us for a memorable evening as we celebrate our honorees and welcome incoming Board Chair Andy Park. Sponsor today.
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