Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

GO-Biz Leading Statewide Coalition of Business Groups to SelectUSA Investment Summit in D.C. on Oct. 31st
President Obama Scheduled to Deliver Remarks Along with Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew and Secretary of State John Kerry
Sacramento, Calif. – California Deputy Director for International Affairs and Business Development Brian Peck announced today that GO-Biz will lead a statewide coalition of business groups to the ‘SelectUSA Investment Summit,’ hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. on Thursday, October 31 and Friday, November 1.
“The Select USA investment summit provides an important venue for California to promote our world-leading international trade capabilities and investment opportunities,” said Deputy Director Brian Peck. “For the first time, California is sending a statewide coalition – led by GO-Biz – to meet with foreign investors and expand the number of trade and investment opportunities coming to the state.”
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that President Obama will be hosting and delivering remarks at the Summit on Thursday, October 31, 2013.
"I can think of no one better than our President to highlight the many advantages of investing in America," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritkzer. "President Obama and his Administration are committed to bringing new jobs and investment to the U.S., and the SelectUSA program is a critical part of those efforts.”
The summit will also feature over 70 high level speakers including several U.S. Governors, Senior Advisors to President Obama, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Secretary of State John Kerry and dozens of CEOs. A complete agenda can be found here.
Throughout the two-day sold out conference, GO-Biz and the statewide coalition of business groups will engage with more than 1,000 attendees from nearly 60 countries; economic development officials from 47 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S.
territories; cabinet officials and some of the world's top CEOs to discuss the investment opportunities available in the Golden State. The complete list of California coalition members includes:
1. California-China Trade Office
2. City of Fullerton
3. Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
4. Los Angeles Regional Export Council
5. Riverside County Economic Development Agency
6. San Bernardino County Economic Development
7. San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation
8. The Bay Area Council
9. The San Francisco Center for Economic Development
What They Are Saying
Jim Wunderman – President of the Bay Area Council: “The California China Office of Trade and Investment is honored to welcome business leaders from all over the world to this week's Select USA Summit. California and China are two of the world's most competitive, innovative, and talented places on the planet. We hope to capitalize upon these strengths by building new trans-Pacific partnerships, and look forward to working with GO-Biz and businesses around the state to foster as much business and investment for California as possible."
Bill Allen – President of the Los Angeles Economic Development Council: “California’s future economic prosperity is tied to global trade and investment. Targeted and well-resourced trade and foreign direct investment programs are vital to highlight the advantages of locating in one of our state’s distinct economic regions, and to create new opportunities in global markets for California’s world-leading innovative businesses. The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, based in one of the world’s most culturally diverse regions, is honored to partner with SelectUSA and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to showcase our remarkably diverse, $580 billion Los Angeles regional economy to the world, as well as to bring into the light the more than one dozen innovative and world leading industry clusters based in Los Angeles, ranging from aerospace and analytical instruments to entertainment and digital media to automotive design and alternative transportation to medical devices and biomedical.”
Carlos J. Valderrama – Senior Vice President, Global Initiatives, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce: “Participating in the Select USA 2013 Investment Summit under the banner of the State of California is a great opportunity to showcase the Los Angeles Region to foreign investors.”
Kelly Reenders – San Bernardino County Economic Development Administrator: “San Bernardino County is proud to be a part of this statewide effort led by GO-Biz. We hope to connect with foreign and domestic investors and introduce the strategic advantages of San Bernardino County.”
Sean Barr – Vice president of the San Diego Regional EDC: “Under the leadership of GO-Biz, California has reinforced its role as an international job creator,” “We remain number one in biotech, number one in agriculture and number one in high tech, and San Diego is proud to contribute to those rankings. With the state’s participation in Select USA, we hope to become the global leader in export and international investment too.”
For more information on the GO-Biz International Affairs Unit, please contact International Policy, Programs & Partnerships Specialist Abby Browning: Abby.Browning@gov.ca.gov.
GO-Biz serves as California’s office for economic development and offers a range of services to business owners. Those services include attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, important informational briefings and much more. For more information visit: www.business.ca.gov.  http://elevylaw.com/governors-office-of-business-and-economic-development-attorney-los-angeles/