12 Jan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Valley Economic Alliance Hosts Sold-Out Regional Development Summit 250+ Stakeholders Convene to Drive Positive Change in the San Fernando Valley
January 12, 2024
Media Contact:
Sonya Blake
sblake@economicalliance.org
818-379-7000 ext. 106
The Valley Economic Alliance Hosts Sold-Out Regional Development Summit
250+ Stakeholders Convene to Drive Positive Change in the San Fernando Valley
Northridge, CA – The Valley Economic Alliance (The Alliance) hosted the first signature and premier event of 2024 with a sold-out crowd of over 250 Valley government, corporate, small business, and community leaders for the 2nd Annual Our Region | Our Future Regional Development Summit.
The event, which took place at The Orchard Conference Center at CSUN, featured insightful presentations, and moderated conversations with industry experts and Valley leaders, including Caruso® Founder and Executive Chairman Rick Caruso, Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian, LA Building and Safety General Manager Osama Younan, LADWP Assistant General Manager Simon Zewdu, and two dozen dynamic panelists.
Highlights of the day included a Fireside Chat with Rick Caruso and Alliance Board Chair Fred Gaines, as well as formal remarks by Alliance President and CEO Sonya Blake and Alliance Vice President of External Affairs Greg Martayan.
As part of the half-day program, attendees participated in meet-and-greet conversations with government officials as well as city planning, building, and safety leaders from Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Los Angeles, and San Fernando. In addition, the event included a series of insightful moderated sessions with industry experts including Robbie Gluckson, Kim Guard, Tamara Gurney, Mark Loucheim, Kathy McIntyre, Spence Moore, Miri Rossitto, Chandra Subramaniam, and Adel Villalobos, as well as many others.
Attendees also took part in a sustainability innovation tour of CSUN’s campus at the conclusion of the gathering.
“The 2nd Annual Our Region | Our Future Summit was a resounding success, underscoring our collective commitment to building a thriving and sustainable Valley,” said The Alliance CEO and President Sonya Blake. “The participation of dedicated local officials and business leaders highlights the unity driving our vision for a brighter future.
As we move forward, The Alliance is poised to convert these shared aspirations into tangible action, working hand-in-hand with stakeholders to foster a sustainable legacy for our region.”
The Our Future, Our Region Summit was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: Verizon, CSUN Nazarian College of Business & Economics, Kaiser Permanente, CMTC, American Business Bank, Jacobs, Mission Valley Bank, Port of Long Beach, and Van Nuys Airport.
(Pictured left to right: Alliance Vice President of External Affairs Greg Martayan, Caruso® Founder and Executive Chairman Rick Caruso, Alliance Board Chair Fred Gaines, and Alliance President and CEO Sonya Blake.)
(Pictured left to right: Alliance President and CEO Sonya Blake, LA City Council President Paul Krekorian, Alliance Board Chair Fred Gaines, and Alliance Vice President of External Affairs Greg Martayan.)
(Pictured left to right: Alliance President and CEO Sonya Blake, Alliance Board Chair Fred Gaines, Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety General Manager Osama Younan, and Alliance Vice President of External Affairs Greg Martayan.)
(Pictured: Express Healthcare Professionals Franchise Owner Kim Guard moderates a dynamic panel discussion with business leaders on healthcare in the San Fernando Valley — exploring industry innovation, manufacturing breakthroughs, and opportunities for improved healthcare access for all Valley residents.)
The Valley Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of business, government, education, and community leaders. Our mission is to engage and unite Valley stakeholders to raise standards of living and economic vitality across the San Fernando Valley, a five-city region encompassing Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Los Angeles, and San Fernando. This region consists of more than 1.9 million residents, over 160,000 businesses and covering more than 350 square miles. To learn more about The Valley Economic Alliance, visit TheValley.net.
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