|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Mayor Bass' First State of the City, Budget
This week, Mayor Karen Bass delivered her first State of the City address, with a focus on key issues including homelessness and public safety. Mayor Bass remarked on building a new L.A., noted there is much work yet to be done, and highlighted improved urgency within the city's operations. The following day, she presented her proposed budget, which aligns with her stated priorities. Read the budget summary here. |
 |
Vice President Harris Visits L.A.
Vice President Kamala Harris was in Los Angeles and visited the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. Matt Peterson highlighted LACI’s work in the green technology industry. VP Harris discussed the importance of supporting clean energy entrepreneurs and diverse innovators. SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis also provided remarks. Chamber President & CEO, Maria S. Salinas was pleased to represent the Chamber. |
|
 |
ACCESS Sacramento Recap
The Chamber led a broad coalition of business and community leaders to Sacramento this week for ACCESS Sacramento. The Chamber delegation was addressed by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assemblymembers Luz Rivas and Buffy Wicks, Office of the Small Business Advocate Director Tara Lynn Gray and Business, and, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Undersecretary Melinda Grant. The delegation also met with 25 members of the legislature to discuss legislation important to the region. View photos here. |
 |
Julie Su Begins Senate Confirmation Hearings
The Senate began confirmation hearings for Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su's nomination to head the Department of Labor. She has a broad group of supporters that include labor and business alike. Her nomination has faced some opposition, but the White House is optimistic about her confirmation. Su's track record includes tackling wage theft and managing pandemic-induced unemployment payments in California. The L.A. Area Chamber has endorsed her nomination for Labor Secretary. |
|
|
| POLICY & ADVOCACY |
Warehouse Ban Bill Moves in Legislature
The California Assembly is considering Assembly Bill 1000 (Reyes), which proposes a ban on warehouses within 1,000 feet of "sensitive receptors." Southern California has millions of jobs associated with ports, manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, construction, transportation, and warehouses, which rely on the movement of goods. The business community is concerned the bill will substantially increase the costs of transporting goods. As the bill advances through the legislative process, the L.A. Area Chamber has signed on with a broad coalition to oppose this bill. We urge our membership to join in opposing this bill. Please see our letter here. |
|
|
| GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT |
Global Initiatives Council: 2023 Global Trade Outlook
The Global Initiatives Council hosted a presentation with Reta Jo Lewis, Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., and Jason Prince, Partner at Crowell & Moring and former chief counsel to the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Nicole Simonian, Chair of the Global Initiatives Council and Partner at Crowell & Moring, moderated the event. The speakers highlighted key strategies related to the significance of exports by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the U.S. economy, with a specific emphasis on SMEs owned by women and people of color. |
|
South African Delegation Visits Chamber
This week, the Chamber's global team met with South Africa's Deputy Chief of Mission and current Acting Consul-General, Venita Smit, to discuss potential areas of collaboration and to promote trade and investments that could benefit both Los Angeles and South Africa. |
|
|
|
|
| COMMUNITY COLLABORATION |
|
|
|
|
VSEDC Names New President & CEO
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates Quentin Strode on his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC). The Chamber looks forward to our continued partnership with the VSEDC. |
|
Los Angeles Region Small Business Summit
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, the Los Angeles City Economic and Workforce Development Department, and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Business and Economic Development will host the first Los Angeles Region Small Business Summit on Wednesday, May 3. The event aims to help small businesses recover, grow, and thrive beyond their current challenges. The summit will feature remarks from county and city representatives, panel discussions, a resource expo, on-site services, and more. Get up-to-date details here. |
|
|
|
|
| CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS |
Open Applications for the 2023 Game Changers Scholarship
Ralphs and Food 4 Less, in partnership with Procter & Gamble, are accepting applications for the 2023 Game Changers Scholarship. Each company will award a scholarship of $2,000 to a local, diverse woman pursuing an undergraduate degree or certificate in business-related science, technical, and/or liberal arts fields. The application deadline is May 12. For more information about the program and to begin the application process, visit here. |
|
Los Angeles Times Annual Festival of Books
The annual L.A. Times Festival of Books is taking place this Saturday and Sunday on USC's campus. The two-day event features more than 500 authors, poets, artists, celebrities, and musicians for conversations, exciting panels, readings by your favorite authors, musical performances, and more. For more information visit here. |
|
|
| IN MEMORIUM |
Chamber Honors Mayor Riordan
The L.A. Area Chamber is saddened by the death of former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. During his time in office, he helped the city rebuild and grow following the 1992 riots and led courageous emergency efforts to reconstruct our city after the Northridge earthquake. Mayor Karen Bass commemorated the late mayor by lighting city landmarks green, yellow and red — the colors of the Los Angeles City flag. Read our statement here. |
|
|
New Member
|
 |
Member Anniversaries
|
 |
|
| COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS |
Resilient Business Advising Program
Wednesday, April 26, 10:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Join us to learn more about the Resilient Business Advising Program, meet our advisors, and see how you can gain access to capital, resources, and technical assistance to grow your business and thrive.
|
|
Guiding the City of Los Angeles in 2023
Wednesday, April 26, 8:30 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join us for a Pancakes & Politics conversation with Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian as he discusses his time in leadership, working with Mayor Karen Bass' administration, and his vision for the city in 2023. During his time on the City Council, Councilmember Krekorian has been a steady and pragmatic voice for policy and fiscal responsibility, as he served as the former Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.
|
|
World Trade Week Southern California 2023
Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 8:00 a.m.
World Trade Week 2023 will celebrate the hurdles the supply chain has overcome during these past few years and amplify the goals of building a future-ready supply chain in an evolving world. If your company is active in global markets, don't miss this opportunity to attend or sponsor and gain visibility in the Southern California trade industry.
|
|
|
| VIEW FULL CALENDAR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
