LaChamber1

Los Angeles Area
Chamber of Commerce
As the largest and most influential business association in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in our region. For nearly 120 years, the L.A. Area Chamber has served the needs of business through our programs and advocacy initiatives. Join us as we help create a better L.A.

For nearly 10 years in a row the Los Angeles Business Journal has ranked the L.A. Area Chamber as the #1 chamber of commerce in the Southern California region.

MISSION:
The mission of the L.A. Area Chamber is to ensure full economic prosperity and quality of life in our region by being the voice of business, promoting collaboration and helping our members grow. In achieving this mission, we help to create jobs, a thriving economy, and protect the current and future welfare of the greater L.A. area.

HISTORY:
Founded in 1888, the Chamber has helped to shape the region we live in today. The Chamber has been a key driver of powerhouse industries ranging from agriculture, to manufacturing, to international trade. We’ve played a critical role in the development of our region’s most significant projects including our deep-water ports, water resources and freeway system. And this is just the beginning.

MEMBERSHIP:
Today, the Chamber serves a diverse membership of businesses of every size, from nearly every industry, in every community across L.A. County.

The Chamber represents...

• The interests of more than 235,000 businesses in L.A. County
• More than 1,600 member companies
• More than 722,430 employees
• Small, medium and large-sized companies
• Businesses from more than 35 industry sectors

And, each year we deliver...
• More than 40,000 referrals to member companies
• 120 plus business and professional development programs
• More than 25 advocacy and signature events
• Nearly 100 graduates participating in our Leadership programs
• More than 10,000 job opportunities and internships for L.A. youth
• And much more

Access
The Chamber is your introduction to local, state and federal lawmakers and elected officials. Our advocacy programs provide opportunities for members to meet and mingle with policymakers and engage civic leaders in meaningful dialogue surrounding the issues most important to your business.

Accenture Pancakes & Politics Breakfast Speaker Series
Distinguished panelists discuss timely political issues at the monthly breakfast series open to Diamond Club, Circle Level and Board members. Each breakfast program provides an intimate
forum for dialogue with lawmakers on specific business topics.
Past speakers have included:
) Rep. Henry Waxman ) L.A. city controller Laura chick
) Assembly Speaker Karen Bass ) Gov. Michael Dukakis, former Massachusetts
) Former Assembly Speaker Fabian NGnez governor and 1988 Democratic
presidential nominee
) Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State
of california Jack O’connell ) Former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan

Access Event Series
The Chamber’s Access events are the region’s premier advocacy trips bringing together participants and partners from across the county to advance a shared pro-business agenda. Access events allow members to meet elected officials and policy makers at the local level at Access L.A. City Hall, the state level at Access Sacramento and the federal level at Access Washington, D.C.
Past meetings with lawmakers have included:
) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ) U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy
) california Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ) U.S. Secretary of commerce
) U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein carlos M. Gutierrez
) U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer ) L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
) Members of the L.A. city council
A BETTER L.A. Chamber 2007 Board Chair David Fleming, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben discuss health care with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after a Capitol news conference on Sept. 17, 2007. MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD. More than 200 business and civic leaders came together for the annual Access Washington, D.C. trip April 15-18,2008 to spread the message of ‘Building America Together.’ U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-34) addresses the media with the delegation, including L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Santa Monica Mayor Herb Katz, Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook and other regional elected officials.


Government regulations increasingly impact your ability to do business. As the leading advocate on business issues in the L.A. region, the Chamber works to create and sustain a favorable business environment at the local, state and federal level. Working with you and for you, we make certain the business perspective is heard.

Industry Councils
Chamber members assist in developing targeted programs that stimulate business growth within key industry sectors through their involvement in
Chamber Industry Councils.

Political Action Committee
The Chamber’s L.A. JOBS Political Action Committee supports business friendly candidates and makes political contributions to key initiatives at the local and state levels.


Public Policy Committees
Chamber members help shape the Chamber’s overall advocacy agenda and effect policy decisions through participation in our public policy committees. Chamber Public Policy Committees take action locally, statewide and at the federal level.
The Chamber’s committees include:
) Aviation ) Health care
) Business Growth & Tax Policy ) International Trade & Investment
) Education & Workforce Development ) Land Use, construction & Housing
) Energy, Water & Environment ) Transportation & Goods Movement