special promotional section J u l y 2 0 0 7 los angeles a distinctive character worth county exploring Creativity, diversity, and an entrepreneurial spirit have made Los Angeles County an international business center with far-reaching ties to both Asia and Europe and a major player in the success of the global economy. For more than a century, visitors have come from across the globe to Southern California to develop and test inventions and trends that have achieved worldwide recognition. a j o i n t v e n t u r e w i t h t h e l a e d c UNITED . COM 77 J u l y 2 0 0 7 special promotional section / sponsored by the LAEDC sponsored by the LAEDC / special promotional section J u l y 2 0 0 7 LoS AngeLeS county t h e b u S i n e ss c A p i tal o f A m e r i c A t h e b u S i n e ss c A p i tal o f A m e r i c A LoS AngeLeS county or more than a century, visitors have come from across the The area has come a long way since the city of Los Angeles globe to Southern California to develop and test inventions was established by the Spanish as a community that would be f and trends that have achieved worldwide recognition. convenient to Mission San Gabriel. The area became part of the “The major industry in Los Angeles is creativity,” says Jack U.S. in 1846. The Chumash Indians were believed to be the original Kyser, senior vice president and chief economist of the private, settlers. A visit to historical downtown Olvera Street, where it all nonprofit Los Angeles County Economic Development began, should be a first stop for any tourist interested in history, Corporation (LAEDC). “The county attracts business and leisure followed by a stroll to nearby Chinatown and Little Tokyo. travelers because it is one-stop shopping in terms of business, With the advent of the railroad, the city began to grow, but it manufacturing, and service access. And with more than 40 major wasn’t until after World War II that military personnel passing recreational attractions, there is something for everyone.” through the area or stationed nearby saw the possibilities for The tourists who come to Los Angeles County, which has 88 growth and a new way of life and returned to make it happen. unique cities, return often to enjoy the international flavor of this Today, Los Angeles is the nation’s most populous county with vibrant metropolis. Indeed, if Los Angeles County were a separate more than 10 million people, according to the California nation, it would rank among the top 17 largest economies in the Department of Finance. world. The region has the largest Asian population outside Asia and The growth was further aided by the entertainment industry, the largest Latino population outside Latin America, which adds to which employs more than 250,000 people and generates more than the rich mosaic of cultural diversity and energy. In 2005, Mayor $57 billion annually from 5,100 businesses, many of them small. Antonio Villaraigosa became the first Hispanic American mayor of Though the traditional sound stage remains the image of the the city of Los Angeles in 133 years. industry, the entertainment sector also includes electronic The LAEDC estimates there will be 25.3 million overnight entertainment, cable programming, music, new media, and theme by Maggie KiLgore born in LA the electric (main): Walt Disney concert hall designed by frank gehry; guitar (counterclockwide from top): Westin bonaventure hotel; Santa catalina island; the third Street promenade in Santa monica; canals of Venice; sculpture at Disney concert hall; surf’s up laspirit visitors in 2007. There are some 30 large conventions booked for parks. In addition to the seven major film studios and the five the year, including the Los Angeles Auto Show, which showcases major broadcast TV networks whose entertainment divisions have tomorrow’s car concepts and emphasizes Southern California’s headquarters here, the entertainment industry is driven by car culture and the innovative auto design studios that flourish in hundreds of smaller firms employing less than a dozen people in a the region. wide range of specialties. Entertainment and the creative talent that At the February LAEDC annual economic forecast and industry drives it are undergoing the greatest transformation since the outlook, economist Kyser said tourism and travel activity in advent of the talking picture. The changes have caused turmoil in Southern California will hold at high levels during 2007. “The region the print media, but the Internet and digital technologies are is again a ‘hot’ destination with a lot of favorable media attention. reshaping how video, music, graphics, and text are produced and Business travel will also remain strong, while international travel consumed, propelling the entertainment and information industry should be good due to the decline of the value of the U.S. dollar.” into a new era, and LA-based companies are on the cutting edge. photoS Courtesy: (mAin) nhiEn BArroS: (CountErcloCkwise From top) nhiEn barroS; Long Beach CvB; nhiEn BArroS; Long Beach CvB; nhiEn BArroS; LA INC. Los Angeles has always been an innovator, but did you know iDeas & trends born in la ★ talking movies ★ the new VW beetle ★ the cobb salad ★ the internet ★ the modern bathing suit did you know? it takes credit for “inventing” ideas and creating trends that ★ Sr-71 (the high-altitude supersonic reconnaissance plane) ★ the modern theme park (the work of John hench, first head of Disney’si magineering) have spread worldwide? (Some not so serious.) ★ celebrity public relations/press agents ★ minnie mouse and bugs bunny ★ valet parking ★ implantable collamer eye lenses 78 HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE . COM UNITED . COM 79 LACo Ad-Poppies051507 5/18/07 1:28 PM Page 1 J u l y 2 0 0 7 special promotional section / sponsored by the LAEDC LoS AngeLeS county t h e b u S i n e ss c A p i tal o f A m e r i c A “Los Angeles is the perfect place to live, work and play, do business, and visit. We have a pre-eminent position in the world economy.” Bill Allen, president and CEO of the LAEDC “Enriching Lives” Arts and entertainment Los Angeles County is an To fill the continuing need for new talent, Los Angeles County’s world-renowned higher- education system graduates thousands each year to fill industry positions. These schools industrial/financial/cultural include the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Southern California, giant and one of the most the American Film Institute, Pasadena’s Art Center, Cal Arts, the Santa Monica’s desired destination points Academy of Entertainment and Technology, and the Otis College of Art and Design. in the world. “Creativity is serious business in Southern California,” says Samuel Hoi, president of Otis. “We have both the creative capital and the economic imperative to become the sustaining force of the 21st century. The Los Angeles region has more Population/Business: Most populous creative establishments and workers than the New York primary metropolitan area. county in the nation. More than 140 It is time to herald the fact that artists and designers and other creative minds drive cultures and 135 languages. If a nation, the largest segment of jobs and sales revenue in our region.” its economy would be 17th largest in In any study of creativity, galleries are the perfect venue for allowing the public world. Nation’s top international trade to interact with the creative community. In Los Angeles County in 2005, there were center, largest manufacturing center, and 249 art galleries, 104 in the city alone, offering original work and prints. aerospace research/development capital. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books draws 130,000 reading enthusiasts to the Tourism: Hollywood; Aquarium of the UCLA campus every April to meet authors and participate in literary forums. It is Pacific; Magic Mountain; Universal Studios; the largest gathering of its kind on the West Coast. Raging Waters; Rose Parade; Rodeo Drive; It has often been joked that Southern California is “short” on “intellectuals.” Los Angeles Zoo; 63,000 acres of County Yet the area has 152 universities and colleges and nearly 900 hospitals and clinics. parks/gardens; 75-mile coastline; world’s UCLA, USC, and Cal Tech are all world-class research institutions that together “We’re more than just a day at the beach.” largest small-craft harbor. receive more than $1.5 billion each year in federal research money. other creative industries Arts and Culture: Disney Concert Hall; When people think about “Los Angeles” they often imagine our beaches. And it’s true Los Angeles County Hollywood Bowl; Museums of Art and In addition to entertainment, Los Angeles County is home to the highest contains some of the most beautiful coastline in the world. Natural History; more than 300 private concentration of design-based industries in the U.S., including aerospace, museums, including the Getty. engineering and architecture, biotechnology and health sciences, automotive design, fashion and textiles, food manufacturing and processing, home furnishings, But don’t forget the San Gabriel Mountains, less than an hour from our golden beaches. Hike to their Education: Produces more college and toy design, all competing vigorously in the global marketplace by leveraging summits, smell the flowers, or just take in their mile-high majesty. graduates and has more individuals with the innovation of LA’s creative talent pool. Ph.Ds than any other county in nation.