According to the 2020 Los Angeles Trade Numbers, Los Angeles International Airport’s trade with the world totaled 118.39 billion in 2019, based on the latest annual data available from the U.S Census Bureau as analyzed by WorldCity. This represents a $4 Billion increase from 2018.
The Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC) is non-profit, non-partisan, membership-based organization serving the Los Angeles region to promote and facilitate global trade and investment. LARExC was established following the recommendations of the Brookings Institution who has provided LARExC guidance and counsel to continue developing export and foreign investment initiatives to create regional employment.
For more than 90 years, World Trade Week (WTW), an initiative of the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce, has been the most extensive and unique program of its kind in the country. WTW dedicates itself to educating the public on the importance and benefits of global trade on the local and national economy through a series of educational programs and events.
The 2019 World Trade Week Southern California Kickoff Breakfast had more than 800 attendees, including representatives from nearly 40 consulates and trade offices. The event was a tremendous success and featured a panel moderated by Director of the McKinsey Global Institute Dr. Johnathan Woetzel, keynote address by FedEx Trade Networks Executive Vice President and COO Dr. Udo Lange and special remarks by Deputy Major for International Affairs Ambassador Nina Hachigian. With the generous support of the event sponsors, the WTW Education Committee awarded 20 local college and high school students with more than $12,000 of scholarships during the Scholarship Ceremony.
LAWA participated as part of the planning committee for the 2019 WTW, and was a Silver Level Sponsor at this year’s Kickoff Breakfast, which included providing on one of the scholarships to a graduating high school senior.
LAWA proudly supports and helps sponsor some of the activities and events put on by the Port of Los Angeles through their award-winning Trade Connect program. Trade Connect is a trade education program that provides and co-sponsors a variety of seminars. Two of the main areas of focus for the Trade Connect Program include Trade Connect Export Seminars and Regional Trade Forums.
LAWA supports the efforts of the District Export Council of Southern California (DECSC) through participation and sponsorship of their events. DECSC assists local small and medium-sized companies export their products and services worldwide by sponsoring export-related events and workshops. If you are a U.S. company located in Southern California, DECSC and the U.S. The District Export Councils contribute leadership and international trade expertise to complement the U.S. Commercial Service’s export promotion efforts through counseling businesses on the exporting process and conducting trade education and community outreach. See DECSC's Strategic Plan Summary.
LAWA is a member of the Valley International Trade Association (VITA), whose mission is to promote international trade by providing members with valuable resources, informational programs, referral assistance and networking opportunities. Working to foster business growth, VITA works with Chamber of Commerce Trade and Business Advocacy organizations and economic development agencies to provide companies with resources to help business owners develop and maintain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic global marketplace. VITA memberships includes executives, bankers, distributors, manufacturers, freight forwarders, entrepreneurs, wholesalers, government officials, U.S. faculty members from local colleges and universities and other trade professionals.
LAWA supports the Women in Trade – Los Angeles (WIT-LA) through sponsorships and participation in their events. WIT-LA’s mission is to provide professional and personal enrichment for the women and men in international trade in the Los Angeles area. They provide educational programming and networking opportunities to enhance and advance the career opportunities of our members. WIT- LA also gives back to the community through the Marjorie M. Shostak and Gladys A. Moreau Scholarships, the annual WITmas Holiday Fundraising dinner, and numerous other worthy causes.
LAWA supports the Women in Trade – Orange County (WIT-OC) through sponsorships and participation in their events. WITOC believes that quality programs, solid contacts and cutting-edge information is the basis of their continued success. WIT-OC serves the Southern California trade community as an educational resource providing members and their guests with a variety of opportunities to learn about current international trade issues and to make valuable contacts with other professionals involved in the field of international trade. They serve as an added resource to enhance business skills through workshops, seminars and user groups, and provide leadership development opportunities through active participation and mentoring.
