Hollywood Africa Alliance Summit: A Celebration of Culture and Collaboration
Hollywood Africa Alliance Summit: A Celebration of Culture and Collaboration The Hollywood Africa Alliance is excited to announce the upcoming Hollywood Africa Alliance Summit, a groundbreaking event dedicated to promoting cultural exchange between Hollywood and African countries. This highly anticipated summit will take place on September 27th 2024 at 10am to 12noon at the Ovation ChadoTea / Solby Theater. This event will feature an impressive lineup of celebrities, government officials, and media
Chamber to Share Results on The Hollywood Survey at Economic Development Summit
Attendees of the Hollywood Economic Development Summit will be the first to hear David Klein present The Hollywood Survey, an initiative which was commissioned by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 21st at the ArcLight Hollywood. The Chamber’s 24th annual event will run from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Early Bird admission rate is $50 through May 31st. Register online at www.hollywoodchamber.net/summit. The purpose of this survey is to help capture demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal
Dr. Marlon Boarnet Announced as Keynote Speaker at Economic Development Summit
Dr. Marlon Boarnet Announced as Keynote Speaker at Economic Development Summit Dr. Marlon Boarnet, Professor of Public Policy and Chair of the Department of Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis, University of Southern California will be offering keynote remarks on the theme of this year's Economic Development Summit. Dr. Boarnet is a renowned authority on urban economics, urban growth patterns, transportation, and regional science. He is an expert in transportation and land use, and has served on the
Summit Keynote Speaker to Discuss Urban Planning, Transportation, and Stakeholder Engagement
Katherine Perez-Estolano will be the keynote speaker at the 2018 Hollywood Economic Development Summit on Thursday, June 21st at the ArcLight Hollywood. The Hollywood Chamber’s 24th annual event will run from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Early Bird admission rate is $50 through May 31st. Register online at www.hollywoodchamber.net/summit. Katherine Perez-Estolano will share her expertise in urban planning, real estate and infrastructure development, transportation, and stakeholder engagement to create vibrant
Economic Development Summit Panel to Discuss Technovation in Transportation, Impacts on Development
A second panel of business leaders will be discussing the “Vision for the Future of Urban Development in Hollywood” at the 2018 Hollywood Economic Development Summit on Thursday, June 21st at the ArcLight Hollywood. The Chamber’s 24th annual event will run from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Early Bird admission rate is $50 through May 31st. Register online at www.hollywoodchamber.net/summit. The panelists will be covering the positive impacts of technology and innovation in mobility and transportation. Some of
It's All About Jobs: The Elephant in the Room
The legislative season is over, and we finally have begun to see our California legislature act on the housing crisis in this state. The Governor signed 15 bills that were intended to smooth the way to more housing being built.Over the past year, you have heard me discuss the importance of addressing California’s housing crisis. So, I think it is appropriate to commend the legislature and the Governor for taking steps to start addressing what is an enormous problem.Among the bills that were passed was a
Hotel Complex is a Dream for Hollywood Jobs
When one thinks about the visionaries who made Hollywood what it is today, there are a lot of candidates to consider: Sid Grauman who dreamed up the picture palaces and movie premieres, C.E. Toberman, who built most of the grand buildings on Hollywood Blvd. and made the Hollywood Bowl a reality, the Chandler family and their associates who put the huge Hollywood Sign on Mt. Lee, Johnny Grant, who built the Hollywood Walk of Fame into an international icon – the list could go on and on.And in fact, the list
Last Community Meeting Scheduled for Proposed Hollywood Community Plan Update 2, July 19th
The Department of City Planning (DCP) has released an updated version of the draft Hollywood Community Plan, which will shape the future of Hollywood by directing jobs and housing near mass transit corridors. In particular, the Plan focuses most of the housing forecast through the year 2040 in central Hollywood, in areas served by the Metro Red Line. A key feature of the Plan includes an interactive online map that allows users to search by address to view the proposed changes to zoning. The proposal and
Excellence in Economic Development: Hudson Pacific Properties Brings ICON, Netflix, Jobs to Hollywood!
The Excellence in Economic Development Award was presented this year to Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., (Symbol: HPP) the firm responsible for the new ICON Development, and for revitalizing the Sunset-Bronson and Sunset-Gower studio lots. Chris Barton, Executive Vice President of Development and Capital Investments for Hudson Pacific, accepted the award at the annual Summit on June 22nd at the ArcLight Hollywood Cinemas. The Excellence in Economic Development Award honors are well-deserved. Hudson
Chamber Releases Annual Economic Development Update for 2017
Attendees of this year’s Economic Development Summit will be among the first to receive the current issue of the popular Hollywood Development Update 2017. The annual publication includes information on 92 projects in the pipeline for Hollywood. The facts about Hollywood reveal that what’s commonly referred to as the hub of the entertainment industry, the most-famous community has been a hot spot for millennials and companies alike and continues drawing an unprecedented comeback! Since 2003, a total of
USC Professor of Urban Planning to Keynote Economic Development Summit at ArcLight, June 22nd
One of the two keynoters at the 2017 Hollywood Economic Development Summit, taking place on Thursday, June 22nd, at the ArcLight Hollywood, is a professor in the USC Department of Urban Planning. Dr. David Sloane studies the evolution of cities through the lens of cultural landscapes, urban planning, food and health care systems. He is expected to apply his knowledge to Hollywood as a working case of revitalization.Click here to register online As a professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Spatial
City Planning Director Bertoni to Open Economic Development Summit
Vince Bertoni, the Planning Director for the City of Los Angeles, will offer the opening Keynote Address at the 2017 Hollywood Economic Development Summit on June 22nd at the ArcLight Hollywood Cinemas. Reservations for the popular Hollywood Chamber of Commerce event are now being taken at www.hollywoodchamber.net. Admission is $50 per person for those reserving by June 19th. Thereafter the price jumps to $60.Click here to register online With more than 27 years of professional planning experience,
Gubler Blogs: Studio Purchase Is Good News for Jobs
Earlier this month, Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. announced that it had finalized a $200-million acquisition of the historic Hollywood Center Studios. This is the third studio acquisition in Hollywood by Hudson Pacific. Based on their track record, it is very good news for Hollywood.Hudson had previously acquired Sunset-Gower Studios and Sunset-Bronson Studios. They will now own a combined 1.2-million square feet of facilities at the three studios, including 35 soundstages on 41-acres. The acquisition
All About Jobs: A Post Mortem on Measure S
In the aftermath of Measure S, it seems everyone is offering their post mortem observations about this giant struggle over land-use and development in Los Angeles. I’d like to add my “two cents”.First, the voters made the right choice in sinking Measure S. We can breathe a sigh of relief that a blanket moratorium did not go into effect that would have vaporized thousands of construction jobs and wreaked havoc on our economy. Now we can continue to address the serious shortfall in housing in our
Future of L.A. Hinges on Measure S Vote
Voters head to the polls on March 7th to cast votes on what may be the most critical election in a generation on the future course of Los Angeles. Measure S, previously referred to as the “Neighborhood Integrity Initiative”, would immediately clamp down on development, with a moratorium of at least two years on projects that require plan amendments, zone changes, or adjustment to height restrictions. It would also prohibit spot zoning, and require the city to complete studies of the environmental impact of
It's All About Jobs: A Few Observations about Measure S
With only two weeks to go until the election, there has been a lot of “ink” written on the topic of Measure S. You’ve heard the statistics about how this measure is going to cost our economy $1.9-billion and 12,000 jobs for each year it is in place. You’ve heard about its devastating impact on affordable housing, especially in light of the passage of Measure HHH to build permanent supportive housing that Measure S would make difficult to build. And you have heard the claims of the proponents that only
Los Angeles County Democratic Party Says 'No' on Measure 'S'
Largest local Democratic Party organization in the U.S. moves to oppose misleading and dangerous housing banLOS ANGELES -- Last night the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, which represents over 2.4 million registered Democrats and is the largest Democratic Party entity in the United States, endorsed the campaign to stop Measure S."Democrats believe that Los Angeles should be a welcoming place, where families can afford to live, with a strong economy for all and a progressive vision for the future,” said
It's All About Jobs: 5901 Sunset - A Project that Hollywood Needs
Two weeks ago, the Los Angeles City Council gave final approval to the 5901 Sunset Blvd. project, proposed by Hudson Pacific Properties. This is a marvelous project for Hollywood and Los Angeles.The architecturally stunning building tiers back from the residential areas to the north so that the highest portion of the building is along Sunset Blvd. This approximately 300,000-sq.ft., 15-story office building would replace a parking lot that under the 1988 community plan was zoned for commercial uses like a
Chamber's Economic Development Summit Discusses Emerging Hollywood: Building a Better Neighborhood
Emerging Hollywood: Building a Better Neighborhood was the theme of the Chamber's 2016 Hollywood Economic Development Summit which took place at the ArcLight Cinemas on Thursday, June 23rd. Co-chairs Dwayne Gathers (Gathers Strategies) and Timothy Grubbs presented another outstanding program that discussed how Hollywood is evolving into a positive case study for urban development in Southern California. The program included a discussion not just about real estate projects, but some of the key issues that
IT'S ALL ABOUT JOBS: Master Plan Is Of Paramount Importance
Last week, the City held a public hearing on the proposed 25-year Master Plan for Paramount Pictures. This storied studio, which dates back to 1912, is the last remaining major studio located in Hollywood proper. Warner Bros., Columbia, Fox and Disney got their start here, but all moved out many decades ago. As hearings go, this one was cordial. Even those who had issues were on their best behavior. Everyone understands how important Paramount is to our community. As Chamber President & CEO, I pointed
Times Architecture Critic Headlines Hollywood Economic Summit
Christopher Hawthorne, the architecture critic for the Los Angeles Times, has been named the keynote speaker for the 2016 Hollywood Economic Development Summit. The 22nd annual summit is sponsored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and focuses on Hollywood development and land-use issues. This year’s theme is “Emerging Hollywood: Building a Better Neighborhood”, according to co-chairs Dwayne Gathers of Gathers Strategies and Tim Grubbs of Valley Crest Design Group. The Summit will take place on
First Town Hall Held on Antigrowth Initiative
The first Town Hall meeting on the proposed Neighborhood Integrity Initiative was held last month at Emerson College’s new Hollywood campus. Sponsored by the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council, the meeting drew a capacity crowd to the Feb. 23rd gathering. Proponents of the initiative included columnist Jack Humphreville of Citywatch L.A. and attorney Grace Yoo, a former executive with the Korean American Coalition. Spokespersons for the opposition included Hollywood Chamber President & CEO
Hollywood Chamber Continues to Press for CEQA Reform
Continuing its efforts to press for reform of the California Environmental Quality Act, better known as CEQA, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce met with California State President pro Tempore Kevin de León in February. “The CEQA law has done a lot of good in preserving California’s environment since it was approved during Ronald Reagan’s administration as Governor,” said Chamber President & CEO Leron Gubler. “However, CEQA abuse has grown in recent years as people have manipulated CEQA for purposes that
Battle Over Jobs, Housing and Congestion Expected in 2016
A battle is shaping up in 2016 over the future of Los Angeles. On one side are smart growth proponents who are encouraging development in the city to be built near major transit lines while on the other are those who want to stop virtually all growth in the city to reduce congestion in their particular neighborhoods. The no-growth advocates are working to qualify what they term the “Neighborhood Integrity Initiative”. The initiative, if it qualifies, is likely to go before voters in November 2016, in
Opportunities and Challenges in 2016
The dawning of a new year is a good time to assess where we have been and where we are going. There certainly are a lot of things of which we can be proud at the start of 2016. When I first came to Hollywood back in 1992, the outlook was bleak. Companies were leaving Hollywood by the dozens. There was a real question as to whether it would be possible to turn things around, and if Hollywood had declined too far to remain a viable commercial district. Fast forward to 2016 and we have indeed made progress.
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Hollywood Stars as Itself, a Personal Panoramic View
As I sat having lunch at Mama Shelter with a colleague recently, we were both excited by the hip, buzzy lunch crowd, great food and how this building on the corner of Wilcox and Selma has been so creatively reimagined from it’s formerly derelict predecessor. I’ve worked in Hollywood for 28 years, and I can’t believe my eyes seeing the transformation of Hollywood’s historic core from a neighborhood that was once considered “down for the count” into Hollywood 2.0; now reclaiming its luster as the creative
Entertainment Conference Focuses on Challenges Facing the Industry
More than 300 business and community leaders attended the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual State of the Entertainment Industry Conference at Loews Hollywood Hotel on November 13th. Presented by Variety, the conference continues to be the pre-eminent local forum that focuses on the importance of the Entertainment Industry to California and steps that need to be taken to keep it healthy. Returning as co-chairs were Paul Audley, President of FilmL.A., Inc. and Sharon Keyser, Senior VP, Real
Millennium Hollywood Project Declared Safe for Construction
Millennium Partners is pleased to announce that the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) has approved the Millennium Hollywood Fault Investigation Report, and agreed that the development site has no active earthquake faults and is safe for development. Because of the many questions that have been raised about the seismic safety of the Millennium Hollywood project, the Hollywood Chamber is pleased to provide this information about conclusions drawn by L.A.’s Department of Building and
