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Serving the San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita
Valley Industry & Commerce Association vica.com
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- VICA After Dark: Senator Menjivar and Assemblywoman Schiavo
- Artificial Intelligence Saves Resources and Boosts Profits
- Looking for Board and Committee Sponsors
- 2024 Board of Directors, Executive Committee
- 2024 Legislative Priorities
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Quick Jump - Register to Attend!
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"I have started a small business tour around my district, and each time I talk to someone about how they got their business, I want to know... how can I help you up in Sacramento, how can I make this a reality for other individuals, and how can I make it easier for you to run your business."
State Senator Caroline Menjivar
Statement During VICA After Dark
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VICA Hosts After Dark with Senator Caroline Menjivar and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo | |
From Left to Right: Victor Berrellez (US Bank), Roberto Barragan (ICON CDC), Lisa Pitney (The Walt Disney Company), Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, State Senator Caroline Menjivar, and our hosts Steve Argubright and Eric Steinhauer (The Park VNY) | |
VICA hosted its final After Dark event of 2023 on Tuesday, featuring State Senator Caroline Menjivar and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo. During the event, VICA members had the chance to network and discuss the representatives' first year in the legislature, and hear their plans for addressing critical issues during their second year in Sacramento.
Lisa Pitney from The Walt Disney Company introduced Senator Caroline Menjivar at the beginning of the program. The Senator expressed her pride in representing a diverse district within the San Fernando Valley, the most populous region in Southern California. She spoke about the district's economic character, which includes prominent entertainment studios, union organizations, and trade and manufacturing companies, all of which uplift the Los Angeles region.
As a first-generation American, Senator Menjivar shared her understanding of the challenges of pursuing success in the country. She emphasized her strong advocacy for accessible education and vocational training opportunities that can lead to well-paying jobs, many of which are essential for our communities' well-being.
Senator Menjivar's commitment to community development was evident in her successful efforts to secure funding for ICON-CDC, aiding in establishing small businesses in the San Fernando Valley while stressing the crucial role of workforce development in providing services to the community. She also addressed housing issues and how improved public infrastructure leads to safer, more accessible spaces within her district.
Roberto Barragan from ICON CDC introduced Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, who began her remarks by describing her experience as a business owner who grew up in a family rooted in small business. She expressed gratitude for all of the risks that VICA members and the greater business community take to make their businesses flourish, conveying deep respect for the beauty of their endeavors and the role that businesses play in bringing culture and character to the community.
Schiavo thanked Senator Menjivar and acknowledged the hardships of running for elected office, reflecting on the difficulty of her hard-fought race, and being grateful for her victory. The Senator also expressed how she was honored to have a chance to have meaningful impact on crucial issues like homelessness, sustainability, and economic development, drawing from over 20 years of community organizing. Her optimism has grown since being elected, and she attributed it to the dedication of her team and the genuine concern for important issues displayed by her colleagues in Sacramento.
Closing the program, Assemblywoman Schiavo and Senator Menjivar addressed VICA members' questions on proper job training and development, investments in healthcare, and housing development.
VICA would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor, The Walt Disney Company, Host and Co-Sponsor The Park VNY, Co-Sponsor ICON-CDC, and Leadership Sponsor, Southland Regional Association of REALTORS.
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Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo | |  |
State Senator Caroline Menjivar | | |
Artificial Intelligence Saves Water and Electricity, and Boosts Profits | |
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In daily operations, a notable technological advancement unfolds as AI-powered software delivers remarkably accurate weather data to sectors such as agriculture and energy. This AI technology aids farmers, energy companies, and landowners in optimizing resource usage, reducing costs, and increasing revenue, thereby contributing to resource conservation and climate change mitigation. The prevailing negative narrative surrounding AI in the media primarily emphasizes its risks rather than acknowledging its problem-solving capabilities and societal improvements, potentially instilling unwarranted fear and hindering its positive potential.
AI, often perceived as an intimidating concept, is essentially specialized software conducting rapid, high-volume computations to generate predictive data, expediting processes that would take weeks or months using conventional methods. Contrary to replacing human thought, AI accelerates decision-making through massive computing power and user-designed algorithms. This misunderstood technology, in existence for almost 50 years, has played crucial roles, such as aiding medical researchers in uncovering valuable insights from massive data sets.
These hyper-local forecasts lead to substantial resource savings, such as water and fertilizer, benefiting both the economy and the environment. It is imperative for policymakers to approach AI regulations thoughtfully, considering its potential positive contributions to various sectors and avoiding undue limitations on its capacity to enhance our future.
To read the full Op-Ed by Carlos Gaitan, CEO & Co-Founder of San Diego based Benchmark Labs , click the link below.
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VICA is Looking for 2024 Board and Committee Sponsors | |
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VICA is looking for members to host or sponsor our committee meetings in the upcoming year. If your company can accommodate 20-40 individuals and provide breakfast or lunch, we have a committee opportunity for you!
As a host, you'll have the chance to extend a warm welcome, promote your organization and site, and be featured on each agenda with table cards throughout the meetings.
Unable to host? Please consider sponsoring a meeting at the VICA office. As a sponsor, you'll provide meals for committee meetings while having your logo displayed on the meetings' agendas and table cards.
For details and available committee meetings, please visit the link below.
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VICA's 2024 Board of Directors and Executive Committee Slates | |
VICA's 2023 Board of Directors | |
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During VICA's 74th Annual Meeting, next Friday, December 8, members will participate in the election of our Board and Executive Committee for 2024. Thoughtfully-chosen nominees representing a variety of businesses, organizations, and industries are poised to guide VICA in the upcoming year.
Please review the 2024 Slates for VICA's Board of Directors and Executive Committee by clicking the buttons below!
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Powerful and Effective Advocacy Isn't Cheap | |
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As the preeminent business advocacy group in Southern California, VICA is steadfast in its commitment to advancing its members' economic interests and opportunities. This dedication is manifested through effective legislative correspondence, civic leadership representation, and conscientious community engagement. However, sustaining this critical advocacy work comes at a cost, prompting the need for a dues increase.
We understand that increasing rates may pose challenges, so we want to provide an option that accommodates your preferences. If you wish to maintain your 2023 level dues for an additional year, you can pay the full amount before December 31, 2023. If you choose to capitalize on this option or ask more about the 2024 rates, please contact Yoko@vica.com whenever you get a chance.
Your continued support ensures the uninterrupted progress of VICA's essential advocacy efforts.
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Membership Level
Basic Membership:
Circle if Influence:
Business Leader:
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2023 Rate
$750
$1,300
$1,850
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2024 Rate
$850
$1,400
$1,950
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Tell VICA Your 2024 Legislative Priorities! | |
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It's always important to ask what the next legislative session's agenda might look like, and how that affects your business and the greater San Fernando Valley-Los Angeles business community.
VICA will begin discussing next year's legislative priorities this month, and we want to know what you think will be important for 2024. Please click the "Notify Now" button below to communicate your ideas and priorities to our Legislative Affairs team!
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER:
VICA's 74th Annual Meeting
Friday, December 8
11:30 AM
Airtel Plaza Hotel
Each year at VICA our year culminates with our celebratory Annual Meeting, which brings together our members, volunteers, and the Valley's business leaders. During this event, VICA members will engage in the election process, selecting a new Board and Executive Committee for the upcoming year from a diverse array of businesses, organizations, and industries.
VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors:
The Garland, San Fernando Valley Business Journal, and SoCalGas
Toy Drive: Please bring an unwrapped toy or gift card. Gifts should be suitable for ages 0-2, and will be distributed by Rescue Mission Alliance - San Fernando Valley.
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VICA Thanks Our New and Renewing Members! | | |
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Presidents Circle:
Platinum Members:
Silver Members:
Bronze Members:
Renewing Members:
New Member:
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Police Permit for Short-term Rentals
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council approved a law requiring a host of short-term rentals and hotels to obtain a police permit. City Council said the permit requirement would help the city crackdown on party houses and properties encouraging illicit behavior. More broadly, it will create a new regulatory hurdle for short-term rental and hotel operators, allowing the city to challenge the issuance of the permits. The council voted 14 to 0 in favor of the proposal.
LA County Hate Crimes Reach a 21-Year High
Hate crimes are at a 21-year high in Los Angeles County, a reflection of deepening political divides in America, the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations reported Wednesday in its annual report. The commission found that reported hate crimes in L.A. County increased by 18% in 2022, rising from 790 to 929 - the highest since the 1,031 recorded in 2001. Hate crime rates have steadily increased for the past three years. Since 2013, the commission has seen a 143% increase. In response, the commission will build a campaign to reduce hate crimes and find solutions for prevention.
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LA Steps Closer to Rent Increase Cap
On Tuesday, the LA City Council moved closer to approving an ordinance that would set a 4% to 6% cap on how much rent can be raised by owners of rent-stabilized housing units starting in February. The proposed rent increase cap on housing, which falls under the city's Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), is intended as a compromise to rent increases for the first time in nearly four years, since the early start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It would also limit rent increases in the hopes of preventing more tenants from falling into homelessness.
Independent Redistricting on the Ballot
LA City Council unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to establish an independent redistricting commission for the city and place it on the November 2024 ballot. The Council's action caps a years-long effort to fix a process that has been widely decried as broken. If approved by Los Angeles voters, the new independent redistricting commission would be composed of 16 commissioners and four alternates who serve 10-year terms. The committee is expected to take up a more contentious proposal to increase the size of the council, leading to another ballot measure.
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Member Messages
Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!
VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week. For more information or to schedule your member message, contact yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.
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ABOUT VICA
Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the
San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,
Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
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