The California Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 4 convened the first meeting of its California Big City Chambers Coalition, a leadership group of local chamber executives from the 13 largest local chambers of commerce in the state.
“The critical issues facing cities across the state are not unique to one community,” said Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO, CalChamber. “Large cities are experiencing a commonality of crises — homelessness and high cost of living among them. Collaboration among these chamber leaders about ways to approach California’s many challenges will be key to engaging policy makers at all levels of government. The goal of the Big City Chambers Coalition is to provide thought leadership to safeguard the economic vitality of regions so the state as a whole can succeed.”
Participation by local chambers in CalChamber’s Big City Chambers Coalition mirrors the Big City Mayors Coalition. It includes chamber leaders from Irvine, Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Stockton.
“Irvine has been master planned to be a leading global economic driver,” said Bryan Starr, President and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “We are pleased to sit at the table with other leading regions that contribute to the economic success of California. The Big City Chambers Coalition provides the opportunity for collaboration that will add horsepower to the economic vitality of our great state.
The August meeting covered regional perspectives on pressing issues as well as a look at 2024 election issues.
“By sharing perspectives, we hope to create partnerships on statewide policies that will positively impact the regions that drive our state’s economy,” said Barrera.
