As the leading voice of business, Orange County Business Council is proud to partner with Octane, UCI Beall Applied Innovation, Greater Irvine Chamber and the City of Irvine in hosting Innovation Week anchored by the organization’s annual Tech Innovation Forum on May 9-11, 2023 in Irvine. The three-day event focuses on networking and collaboration by providing a platform for entrepreneurs, investors and service providers to connect and share ideas. Featuring fast pitches, panels, keynotes and a range of networking, the event promises to showcase the best of Orange County’s innovation ecosystem. Tickets are required. 

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan will host the Honorable Dilawar Syed, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs for a two-day summit to discuss Irvine’s business and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Orange County business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and thought leaders from the private and public sectors are encouraged to attend and engage with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. Join the City of Irvine and the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday, April 19 at 5 p.m. as they host an Orange County Business Industry Reception. Learn about opportunities to expand business opportunities nationally and globally. Then on Thursday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. join the Mayor, the Honorable Dilawer Syed and UCI for a discussion on business innovation, economic growth and success. Participating in the discussion will be Errol Arkilic, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer at UCI, and Rodrigo Mahs, Assistant Dean, UCI Merage School of Business. RSVP by end of day today, Monday, April 17 to attend. The event location will be shared upon RSVP. Space is limited, and registration will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cal Sate Fullerton is No. 41 out of 500 employers ranked on the 2023 Forbes list of Best Midsize Employers in the nation. Within the education industry, CSUF ranked in the top 5 of Forbe's 2023 Best Midsize Employers. CSUF was the only California State University (CSU) campus to earn a spot on the list. In California, CSUF ranked in the top 15 for midsize employers.

National healthcare magazine, Modern Healthcare, has named City of Hope Orange County President Annette M. Walker a 2023 Modern Healthcare Top Women Leader in Healthcare Luminary. Only five women leaders in the country received this year’s prestigious national distinction that honors women who have made outstanding, sustained contributions to health care and have a proven track record of advancing the careers of others. Modern Healthcare considers Luminaries the most influential women leaders in the country. Walker was recognized for dedicating her career to closing the health care gender gap through mentorship and sponsorship and for leading City of Hope’s expansion in Orange County. City of Hope is one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the country and a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. 

South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) has released the First 100 Days Listening Tour Report by Chancellor and OCBC board member Julianna M. Barnes. The 16-page report highlights five major themes that Barnes focused on across disciplines, governance groups and areas of focus throughout the district, which includes Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College.

Over 200 business leaders from 130 organizations across diverse industries--automotive, biomedical technology, education, consulting, pharmaceuticals, tourism, finance, hospitality, manufacturing, retail and others--gathered at the 18th annual Presidents' Partnership hosted by President and CEO of MemorialCare Barry Arbuckle and OCBC Board Member Cathy Capaldi, SVP/Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Attendees, which included OCBC President and CEO Jeff Ball, had the opportunity to learn about the future of the workforce. Panelists, representing Activision Blizzard, Blue Shield of California, Aon Health and Centivo, along with keynotes, shared insights about generations in the workforce, and what healthcare and other employer offerings need to look like in order to attract, retain and engage employees.

SoCalGas’ recent $1 million donation to the California Restaurant Foundation’s Restaurants Care Resilience Fund makes grants available to qualifying independent restaurants in SoCalGas’ service area. The grants, designed to sustain local restaurant owners, their employees, and their businesses, will go toward technology adoption, equipment upgrades, employee onboarding and retention or unforeseen hardships. This marks the third consecutive year that SoCalGas has partnered with the California Restaurant Foundation. To date, over 700 grants have been awarded across California. Among them, nearly 70% were women-owned and over 80% were owned by people of color. Applications are open until May 7. 

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Auto Club is urging drivers to remain attentive behind the wheel by enabling the Driver Focus feature on their smartphones designed to prevent incoming calls and texts while a vehicle is in motion. New Auto Club research shows that although 81% of drivers are aware of this feature on their phones, more than half (54%) of drivers have never used it. For more information about the Auto Club’s “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated.” Campaign, visit AAA.com/DontDriveDistracted. 

Goodwill of Orange County has unveiled its strategic plan to double its workforce development impact and retail footprint by 2033. In the last 20 years, Goodwill OC has served over 238,000 individuals through its workforce development services. As a result of its nearly 4 million hours of job coaching and support services, the nonprofit has placed 15,217 individuals into sustainable employment in Orange County. Led by President and CEO of Goodwill OC and OCBC board member Nicole Suydam, Goodwill OC marks its 100^th anniversary next year. 

Orange County United Way will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast on May 18 in Irvine featuring a special Q&A with Helen Hunt, the Academy Award-winning actor, and accomplished writer, director and producer. The Women’s Philanthropy Fund was created to support the advancement of at-risk families and children in Orange County. Attendees will learn about the growing needs for the county’s most vulnerable families and children facing poverty and housing instability, and how Orange County United Way, alongside the Women’s Philanthropy Fund, is helping to ensure they can thrive. 

OCBC is making the voice of Orange County businesses heard loud and clear in Sacramento, taking active positions on over 30 bills and tracking nearly 60. OCBC is submitting letters, participating in meetings with legislators and their staff, and engaging with the statewide business community to pass pro-business bills and stop job-killing legislation. Some priority bills this year include:

OCBC has also been active at the federal level. In addition to visiting Washington, DC this week, OCBC is taking the following actions:

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.

9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Email Connor Medina for registration details.

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Email Emily Jackson for registration details.