Newsletter
January 2017 Highlights
Burbank Mayor attends The Valley Economic Alliance  Board of Directors Meeting 
The January 2017 The Valley Economic Alliance (TVEA) Board of Director's meeting featured Jess Talamantes, City of Burbank Mayor and League of California Cities President of Los Angeles County Division. Below is a recap of his remarks;

Los Angeles county is made up of 88 cities and more than 4,000 square miles with a population of more than 10 million people. Mayor Talamantes shared his division's four strategic priorities for 2017:
  • Influence homelessness policies through education, funding and identification of additional resources for cities that help provide a pathway to independence and self-sufficiency. 
  • Influence housing policies to address the affordability crisis in the Los Angeles county region.
  • Support policies and additional funding for crime prevention and law enforcement efforts that enhance public safety and mitigate the impacts of reduced sentencing legislation.
  • Secure additional funding for regional infrastructure projects including transportation (streets, bridges, trade corridors, active transportation, transit, etc.) and sustainable water management systems (ground water, storm water, urban runoff, etc.)
Mayor Talamantes also shared that the division continues to welcome input and counsel from a diverse range of perspectives amongst stakeholders throughout the region, including city officials, business community and labor. "We are stronger when we work together than on our own," he ended. 

Visit  www.cacities.org/LACounty for upcoming meetings and further information. 
Save the Date for TechX & Expo on  March 16th
Join The Valley Economic Alliance for a one-of-a-kind  Tech X and Expo on  Thursday, March 16th at The Sportsmen's Lodge Events Center. 

TechX from 8:30am-10:30am; a Ted talk style program will feature presentations and demonstrations on the latest and most innovative technology. 

Tech Expo from 10:30am-2:00pm will give attendees the opportunity to network with exhibitors and learn about resources and services available to them.

Individual tickets are $50 and includes breakfast, seat at TechX and access to expo exhibitors. Visit www.thevalley.net/TechXExpoRegister for registration form. 

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
Helping Businesses Grow at the San Fernando Biz Fair 2017

More than 100 entrepreneurs attended the San Fernando Biz Fair on January 24th to learn about resources and tools to help their business grow. The fair was hosted by The City of San Fernando Chamber of Commerce and co-hosted by The Valley Economic Alliance. Event sponsors included The City of San Fernando, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, The San Fernando Sun, County of Los Angeles, and A Cool Nerd.
City of San Fernando Mayor Robert C. Gonzales and Clemente De La Torre, President of The City of San Fernando Chamber of Commerce welcomed guests to the first annual fair. 
Presentations included Benjamin Brus with Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation on the minimum wage increase and workforce resources available and present at the fair. Jesse Walter with Internet Marketing Game Plan discussed reputation management. Stan Gelfer, Founder of Virtual Reality Xperience demonstrated Google virtual tours for businesses. Keith McPherson of A Cool Nerd discussed how to build a website and marketing; and Javier Madera Camacho discussed business coaching. 

Presentations were live streamed and can be viewed at  facebook.com/valleyeconomicalliance
Photo 1: City of San Fernando Mayor Robert C. Gonzales welcomes guests to business fair. 
Photo 2: From left; Patrick; Steve Almeida with Farmers Insurance; Joel Fajarado, Vice Mayor of City of San Fernando; Kenn Phillips with The Valley Economic Alliance; and Keith MchPherson with A Cool Nerd. 
Photo 3: Benjamin Brus with Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation.
Valley Visionary Blog
A Conversation with Tamara Gurney 

Have you seen the Valley Visionary Blog yet? TVEA  created the blog to thank and personalize their longtime and  dedicated volunteer Board members. The goal is to share their history of giving and highlight how their leadership has shaped our communities. 
A true Valley Visionary was featured this month. Tamara Gurney is President and CEO of Mission Valley Bank and has been associated with TVEA for over 15 years. "As a businessperson, I believe The Economic Alliance plays a critically important role in providing resources to business owners and entrepreneurs to assist them in every facet of their business - from start up, to expansion and transition. The education, training and connections they assist businesses with are much needed to help keep our Valley strong and flourishing," she said. 

Welcome to the Alliance!
From left: Angela Taslakian is the talent behind the Valley Visionary blog. She interviews Alliance board members and creates online profiles. She will also be coordinating the layoff aversion program. 

Mariah Dobson is our newest afternoon receptionist. She answers phone calls and greets guests at the door. 

Diego Paz is an intern and senior student at High Tech High School. He will be studying engineering after graduation in June 2017. 

Jackson Gilliam is an intern and business finance senior student at Cal Lutheran University. He is working on The Alliance's "Access Friendly" program. 
Out and About

Kenn Phillips recognized the  Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) outgoing 2016 Board of Directors on January 12th at Knollwood Country Club. 

Pictured from left; Luis Huanca; Winnie Davis, President of AREAA's San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Chapter; Kenn Phillips; and John Lee, Chief of Staff of Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch Englander. 
Kenn Phillips with Ron Silverman, Chief Development and Marketing Officer; Cynthia Sewell, Executive Consultant; and Roschell Ashley, Interim CEO of  New Horizons , empowering individuals with special needs to fulfill their dreams since 1954. 
Brilliance in Business Summit

Kenn Phillips was among distinguished speakers at the first annual Brilliance in Business Summit on January 26th, hosted by American Business Bank at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills. 

The summit brought together speakers from politics, business and banking to discuss issues and innovations in the future for business owners and leaders. 

Other speakers included Bob Schack, founding Chairman of American Business Bank (pictured) and Jeff Malin from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. 

 
Forecasting the Political & Economic Climate for L.A. County's Latinos on February 22nd

Join the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation at their Economic Forecast 2017 on February 22nd to gain valuable insight on regional, national and international economy, at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza from 7:00am-11:00am.

This year, the forecast will explore the Latino community's role in L.A. County's economy and pertinent issues affecting regional Latino businesses and workforce. 

A panel discussion on "Forecasting the Political and Economic Climate" for Southern California's Latinos will explore the post-election political and economic policy environments and priorities for the region's Latino community. Given that Latinos currently account for 48% of LA County's population, as goes the Latino community, so goes L.A. County.

The Forecast's keynote speaker is Steven Wieting, Managing Director and City Private Bank's Global Chief Investment Strategist. Featured Speaker is Dr. Manuel Pastor, Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California and Director of the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity at USC and USC's Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration.

Visit www.laedc.org/forecast for more information and to register. 
Kenn Phillips to receive Lifetime Leadership Award at Entrepreneur Awards on February 22nd 

The World Networks is hosting their 3rd Annual Entrepreneur Awards on February 22nd at Allure Banquet Hall in Van Nuys. The black tie gala recognizes  local and international entrepreneurs that have been selected among top nominees for being highly recommended, offer unique products/services, involvement in the community, making a difference in the world by impacting their industry, and empowering other entrepreneurs by creating opportunities.

This year, honorary award recipients include The Valley Economic Alliance's Kenn Phillips for lifetime achievement in leadership and community enrichment. 

Visit  www.feb22.weebly.com/tickets.html for more information and tickets. 
The Valley Economic Alliance | 818-379-7000 | [email protected] | www.thevalley.net
Your Success Is Our Business! TM

The mission of The Valley Economic Alliance is to elevate the economic vitality of our five-city region by assisting  the San Fernando Valley in business, education, & government. 
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