Dear Member,

Welcome to 2008 and the launch of LABC’s latest initiative: LABConnected.  In this, our inaugural edition, we will look back upon our achievements over the course of the past year and set forth our objectives for 2008.  We encourage you to spend some time reviewing this e-publication, and invite you to send us your feedback, thoughts and ideas.

Thanks to your leadership and support, 2007 was a year of unprecedented success. Our unique and talented staff has grown to seven full-time members who, along with a team of specialized consultants, have executed the kinds of programs and legislative initiatives that have kept our membership strong and growing.  Our annual budget has risen to over three quarters of a million dollars, our advocacy efforts have enjoyed greater success than ever before, and our program and event attendance has grown substantially – frequently to maximum capacity.

In 2008, we will further our advocacy efforts around three key issues that we believe are the most integral to our quality of life and our city’s economic competitiveness: Sustainable Development, Workforce Housing and Education and Workforce Development.   Our Calendar of Events has been designed to provide you with informative educational programs and direct access to policy makers and business leaders across multiple industries.

This year we will also create and widely distribute our first proprietary research document: The Workforce Housing Scorecard for Los Angeles.  Scorecard research will provide and utilize original data to chronicle in a concise and compelling manner the critical link between economic competitiveness and an adequate housing supply and outline for stakeholders the steps needed to move our region in the right direction.   Twelve of our members are among the largest employers in Los Angeles County and have already joined the Scorecard’s Steering Committee, and we received our largest grant to date from scorecard underwriter Washington Mutual.

As always, we work proactively with elected officials within local, state and federal governments in a timely manner, engaging business leaders early in the legislative process.  This approach to informing advocacy will continue to be the LABC’s core focus and strength, and we will complement this approach with tools like the LABC Toolbox.  Online tools like this one will give you quick and easy access to information and individuals that will help you to meet legislative requirements while maximizing the success of your business objectives. Click Here to explore the first LABC Tool Kit explaining the city’s green building ordinance.

We will continue to create opportunities for you to meet key legislators at all levels of government.  Exclusive gatherings like the one we recently hosted with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will ensure that our voice is heard by elected officials, and will provide you with the exclusive access to information that helps prepare you for change.

We hope that you find the first edition of LABConnected useful and informative.  Just click here to send us your comments or suggestions.

We wish you a joyful and productive year.

Warm regards,