Agenda
The 2025 Select LA Summit agenda will celebrate the last decade of impact, and design the next decade of opportunity. The day conference at the Intercontinental Hotel will feature 40+ VIP speakers from a broad range of industries in the private and public sector, followed by an evening cocktail reception at the U.S. Bank Tower to close the summit.
Select LA Summit - May 8, 2025
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, DOWNTOWN LA
8:00AM–9:00am
Registration and Breakfast
9:00AM–9:45am:
OPENING CEREMONY
Speakers:
Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles
Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (virtual)
Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor, 2nd District
Steve Olson, Partner, O’Melveny, Chair of the WTCLA Board of Advisors
Stephen Cheung, President & CEO, LAEDC & WTCLA
Kendal Turner, Chief Financial Officer, LAEDC & WTCLA
9:45AM–10:45am
MORNING PLENARY SESSION
“LA in 2025: Celebrating a decade of impact, designing a decade of opportunity”
Los Angeles has emerged from a transformative decade. This opening session reflects on LA’s progress as a global economic powerhouse since 2015, and outlines the roadmap to 2035. Leaders from the public and private sector will explore how LA’s thriving manufacturing, logistics, and innovation ecosystems are driving inclusive growth – and how they are revitalizing the economy following the 2025 wildfires. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon and deep investment in talent development, the city is poised to lead the U.S. and the world in connectivity, sustainability, and opportunity for the next decade.
Panelists:
Tanya Bennett, Consul General of Australia in Los Angeles
Elizabeth Brink, Co-CEO, Gensler
Adam Burke, CEO, LA Tourism
Stephen Cheung, President & CEO, LAEDC & WTCLA
Noor Menai, President & CEO, CTBC Bank
10:45AM–11:00Am
Networking & Coffee Break
11:00AM–12:00pm
BREAKOUT SESSION: TRADE & LOGISTICS
“Trade & Logistics: the beating heart of LA’s global economy”
As North America’s global trade nexus, LA’s trade and logistics ecosystem is the cornerstone of the regional and national economy, with 1 in 58 jobs across the entire U.S. supported by the trade flowing through local ports. This session dives into how seaports, airports, and inland freight networks are evolving in response to global tariff shifts, supply chain resilience, and climate change. Panelists will discuss innovations in infrastructure, workforce development, and sustainability that keep LA globally competitive and essential to international commerce.
Panelists:
Noel Hacegaba, Chief Operating Officer, Port of Long Beach
Ron Frierson, Director of Economic Development U.S. West, Amazon
Fran Inman, Senior Vice President, Majestic Realty
David Libatique, Deputy Executive Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Port of Los Angeles
Lupe Valez, Senior Director Public Affairs, Union Pacific
BREAKOUT SESSION: INDUSTRY CLUSTERS
“Innovation Clusters: Growing industries in LA”
LA’s industry clusters – spanning aerospace and defense, advanced transportation, biosciences, sports & entertainment, and more – are reshaping the city’s economic future. This session explores how targeted investment, public-private partnerships, and a robust talent pool are fueling these emerging sectors. Experts will share how LA’s approach to industry cluster development supports startups, scales R&D, and attracts foreign direct investment, positioning the region as a global innovation hub.
Panelists:
Paul Audley, President, Film LA
Julia De Bono, CEO, BMW Designworks
Lucius Martin, Deputy Mayor of Long Beach
Veronica Pugin, Vice President of Industry, International, & Business Promotion, LAEDC & WTCLA
12:00PM–12:30pm
Lunch service
ANNOUNCEMENT:
California Foreign Direct Investment Rankings 2025
KEYNOTE SPEECH:
Lord Peter Mandelson, British Ambassador to the United States
12:30PM - 12:45pm
Break
12:45pm - 1:30PM
LUNCHEON PLENARY SESSION
Launch of the 2025 California Foreign Investment Report
This much-anticipated session unveils the latest data and trends shaping foreign direct investment in California. With data on sectoral growth, international partnerships, and geographic trends, the report provides essential insights for global investors and local leaders. Attendees will hear how regions like LA are leveraging unique assets – including logistics infrastructure, innovation clusters, and a diverse talent base – to drive inbound investment and economic resilience.
Speakers:
Shannon Sedgwick, Senior Director of the Institute of Applied Economics, LAEDC
Dayle Smith, Dean of the College of Business Administration, Loyola Marymount University
Dr Richard Tang, Assistant Professor of Marketing, Loyola Marymount University
1:30pm - 2:30PM
KEYNOTE SPEECH:
Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California
KEYNOTE SPEECH:
Victor González Herrera, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Simi
2:30PM–2:45pm
Networking & Coffee Break
2:45PM–3:45pm
BREAKOUT SESSION: MANUFACTURING
“Made in LA: solutions for manufacturers across industries”
Los Angeles is North America’s single largest manufacturing hub, powered by advanced technology, skilled labor, and a strong supply chain network. This session highlights how local manufacturers are innovating across aerospace, apparel, food, and tech, while embracing sustainability and innovative supply chain strategies. Panelists will discuss how LA’s ecosystem supports manufacturers with access to ports, workforce training, and government incentives, cementing its reputation as the manufacturing hub for the next generation.
Panelists:
Sanjeev Bahl, CEO, Saitex
Fran Fulton, Economic Development Manager, City of Torrance
Oliver Mindur, CEO, Legendary Foods
Dilpreet Sidhu, Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles
Kenko Sone, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles
BREAKOUT SESSION: SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“LA’s Sports Economy: technology, entertainment, community”
With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, LA’s sports economy is booming. This session explores how investment in sports infrastructure and entertainment is driving innovation, community development, and global engagement. From tech-enhanced fan experiences to career pipelines in sports-related industries, panelists will discuss how LA’s unique intersection of culture, commerce, and competition is creating lasting economic opportunity.
Panelists:
Ken Billups, Vice President of Economic Inclusion & Social Impact, AECOM
Adrien Frier, Consul General of France in Los Angeles
Martha Saucedo, Chief External Affairs Officer, AEG
Eric Greffier, Director of Technology LA28, Cisco
Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity
3:45pm - 4:45PM
AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION
“World Trade in 2025: navigating uncertainty, seizing opportunity”
Global trade in 2025 is marked by shifting tariffs, evolving relationships, and emerging markets. This session examines how LA – home to North America's busiest port complex – is adapting to new trade dynamics while continuing to attract foreign investment. Speakers will discuss strategies for resilience, including diversification, policy advocacy, and public-private collaboration, examining LA’s role as a vital node in global commerce amid ongoing uncertainty.
Panelists:
Felipe Cusnir, Executive Director, World Trade Center Long Beach
Marla Bleavins, Chief Airport Administrative Officer, Los Angeles World Airports
Emily Desai, Chief Deputy Director, California Governor’s Office for Business & Economic Development (Go-Biz)
Sophie Hottat, Consul General of Belgium in Los Angeles
Juan Perez, Director of Trading, Monex
4:45pm - 5:00PM
Closing Remarks
Stephen Cheung, President & CEO, LAEDC & WTCLA
5:00PM - 5:45PM
PRIVATE SESSION
Briefing for members of the Los Angeles Consular Corps and diplomatic representatives.
Cocktail Reception
U.S. BANK TOWER, 59TH FLOOR
5:30pm - 8:30PM
Opening Remarks
Stephen Cheung, President & CEO, LAEDC & WTCLA
Bill Dacunto, Vice President, Silverstein Properties