14 Dec The Valley Economic Alliance Newsletter December 2014 Highlights
Meeting our Investors
One of Kenn Phillips’ goals as President and CEO of The Valley Economic Alliance has been to personally meet with each of our investors before the end of the year. Part of the conversation has been to reconnect and learn about their priorities. To date, Kenn & Jacqui Matsumoto, director of investor relations, have met with 37 investors.
Pictured is Kenn Phillips with Douglas F. Morton, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development of Bobrick, at their new 112,000 sq. ft. building in North Hollywood. Bobrick has been offering washroom accessories that are designed to meet needs in restrooms of all building types for 100+ years and has six manufacturing divisions across the U.S and Canada. They move into the new building in May 2015. After they open their doors, The Alliance will have their annual board of governor’s meeting in August 2015.
TVEA welcomes BOLTON & Company, Time Warner Cable Business Class, Comerica Bank and Parker Brown, Inc. to committing to becoming new investors.
Premiere Executive Forecast:January 23, 2015
Join us on Friday, January 23, 2015 for the first ever Executive Forecast, a “TED talk” type discussion to discuss innovation, infrastructure and social media. The executive forecast is designed exclusively for leaders in business, community, education and government. In an uncertain economy, it is critical to constantly develop new ideas to stimulate growth and productivity. The forecast examines topical issues and innovative tools that will help you grow your business and identify methods for incorporating these into your long term strategic plan.
Panelists include Simon Nielsen, founder and CEO of Ctrl.Me Robotics who will discuss how industries such as entertainment, real estate, agriculture and homeland security have been incorporating drones as part of their evolving practice. Martin L. Adams, deputy senior assistant general manager of water operations, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will discuss how their recycling water plan will help businesses reduce their water expense by 70%. Thomas Lorenz, director of communications and community relations with the City of Glendale will share how retail, education and law enforcement can use new social media technology as a tool to improve customer satisfaction.
For registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit thevalley.net/event/executive-forecast
TheValley.net Wins Design Award
The Valley Economic Alliance website won the Aesthetics Award from the Internet Marketing Association (IMA) at the IMPACT14 Awards, that recognized best-in-class creativity, expertise and results achieved by the top practitioners of Internet marketing across every business segment.
TheValley.net is an important tool for helping the San Fernando Valley region’s entrepreneurs and business, and industry and community leaders research, build relationships and gain value. The website was recently revamped and improved to better achieve this purpose. TheValley.net’s web design is created by Glendale-based Sedna Solutions, whose founder, Shant Sahakian, serves on TVEA’s Board of Governors.
“The new site is mobile friendly and better represents The Valley Economic Alliance’s brand,” Sahakian said. “Today’s businesses and partners seek a fast, functional and professional website that helps them stay informed and get things done.”
Van Nuys Airport Association Appoints Kenn Phillips as Board Member
The Van Nuys Airport Association (VNAA) appointed Kenn Phillips as one of five new board members to oversee the organization’s strategic efforts to promote aviation, foster economic development and build community partnerships. “We’re very excited to welcome new members who are committed to strengthening our organization, protecting Van Nuys Airport’s economic health and improving our community,” said VNAA President Curt Castagna. “Their diversity and fresh perspective will greatly contribute to VNAA’s continued success in addressing the issues most important to airport tenants, users and employees,” he added.
In 2015, VNAA will continue to work on top priority issues, including the official launch of U.S. Customs service and the creation of a strategic plan that will best assure a metered approach to development that will protect the airport’s future economic health.
New board members also include Stuart Waldman, President, Valley Industry and Commerce Association; Elizabeth Penuela, Assistant Principal Operations, East Valley Skills Center; Charles Odell, Director of Operations, Sun Air Jets, LLC; and Howard Wedertz, Chief Pilot/Director of Aviation, MC Group.
For more information, visit www.thevnaa.org or call 855-359-1869.
Is Your Business Access Friendly?
The Valley Economic Alliance is launching its Access Friendly campaign to help make businesses in the Valley more access friendly and American Disability Act (ADA) compliant. Our access support kit includes construction tax credits and information on how to be access compliant. Contact The Alliance at 818-379-7000 to request your free Access Support Kit.
Congratulations to TVEA Board Member, City of Glendale
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) recognized The Valley Economic Alliance board member, City of Glendale, as the Most Business Friendly City with a population greater than 65,000 and the City of Glendora as the Most Business Friendly City with a population under 65,000, at the 19th annual Eddy Awards. “This year’s Most Business Friendly Cities understand that communities and families thrive when good jobs are created, and job creation depends on business-friendly practices,” said Bill Allen, LAEDC President and TVEA board member.
The winners were selected based on demonstrated commitment to economic development as a priority, programs and services designed to facilitate business entry, expansion, and retention, economic development activity over the past three years, competitive business tax rates and fee structures, availability of economic incentives and effective communication with and about business clients.
Source: http://conta.cc/1BFaCUe