2026 Select LA Investment Summit Recap

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LA Is Open: The 11th Annual Select LA Investment Summit

The 11th Annual Select LA Investment Summit, held on April 28, 2026, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, convened global investors, diplomats, business leaders, and government officials around a clear and timely message: LA is Open.

In a year marked by global trade volatility and the January 2025 wildfires, the summit reinforced Los Angeles’ position as a leading destination for foreign direct investment, defined by resilience, scale, and long-term opportunity.

The day opened with a fireside chat with Ambassador Katherine Tai, former United States Trade Representative, setting an internationally focused tone for the conversations that followed. A morning plenary on supply chains and goods movement, presented by Banc of California, examined how logistics infrastructure supports 1 in 9 jobs in the region and anchors economic activity at scale.

Six breakout sessions explored the full spectrum of Los Angeles’ investment landscape, including sports and mega-events, infrastructure resilience, talent pipelines, capital access, soft landing support, and site selection across the county’s 88 cities. An afternoon fireside chat with California State Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin continued the focus on infrastructure, mobility, and long-term growth.

The closing plenary brought together global trade leaders to assess the state of international commerce in 2026 and Los Angeles’ role within it.

The annual release of the California Foreign Direct Investment Report, produced in partnership with GO-Biz and Loyola Marymount University, provided a data-driven foundation for the day’s conversations.

The summit concluded with an evening reception, extending the day’s dialogue into continued connection.

Panels & Speakers

Opening Remarks: William Powles, Kelly Coldiron, Rachel Freeman, Edvinas Grikšas, Dee Dee Myers

Fireside Chat: Ambassador Katherine Tai, Former United States Trade Representative and Executive Director of the Coalition for New Trade in conversation with Stephen Cheung

Morning Plenary — Supply Chains: How Do Logistics and Goods Movement Strengthen Communities? Carlos Ramos (Moderator), Noel Hacegaba, Atif Elkadi, Leonard Jackson, Andrea Sasse

Launch of the 2026 California FDI Report: Harumi Hata, Emily Desai, Richard Tang, William Powles

Breakout — Sport and Economic Opportunity in Los Angeles: Jermaine Hampton (Moderator), Matt Cacciato, David Siegel, Tyler Bonanno-Curley, Rafaella Valentini

Breakout — From Entry to Scale: Financing the LA Journey: Elli Thermos (Moderator), Darren Eng, Gunjan Siroya, John Keisler, Omid Yazdi

Breakout — Infrastructure for an Open and Resilient LA: Heather Repenning (Moderator), Jason Caudle, Steve Dowell, Jeff Wilson, Tanya Bennett

Fireside Chat: Secretary Toks Omishakin, California State Transportation Agency, in conversation with Stephen Cheung

Breakout — Skills for the Next LA Economy: Dayle Smith (Moderator), Danny J Varela, Vincent Calip, Dan Gober, Minna Laajava

Breakout — Soft Landing: From Arrival to Integration: Amalia Ghukasyan (Moderator), Vahan Yepremyan, Chinn Lim, Christine Peterson, Jorrit De Vries

Breakout — Choosing the Right Location in the LA Metropolis: Ron Frierson (Moderator), Jonathan Larsen, Tod Sword, Kelly LoBianco, Dustin McDonald

Closing Plenary — State of Play: Global Trade in 2026: London Kemp Boykin (Moderator), Adam Burke, Noor Menai, Katja Ackerley, Emily Desai

Closing Remarks: Stephen Cheung

Key Themes

Across the day’s conversations, several themes emerged:

Global trade uncertainty is an opportunity for LA.
With 40% of all U.S. container trade flowing through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the region remains a critical gateway for global commerce, offering scale, reliability, and access to the U.S. market.

Mega-events are long-term economic catalysts.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games are driving sustained investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and international visibility.

Resilience and openness reinforce one another.
Recovery from January 2025 wildfires has accelerated investment in infrastructure, energy systems, and community development, strengthening the region’s long-term competitiveness.

Capital access remains central to growth.
Clear pathways from entry to scale continue to require alignment between private capital, public programs, and the needs of international firms.

Talent defines long-term competitiveness.
Workforce strategy, AI, immigration, and education partnerships are reshaping how industries attract and develop talent.

Place remains a strategic advantage.
Los Angeles County’s scale and diversity across 88 cities continues to offer targeted opportunities for companies seeking the right location to grow.

Foreign direct investment continues to anchor the economy.
The 2026 California FDI Report reinforced the scale and breadth of international investment and Los Angeles’ role as a primary gateway.

Recognizing Our Partners

SelectLA is made possible by organizations committed to strengthening Los Angeles’ position in the global economy.

These partners are not only supporting the convening; they are actively shaping the conversations, connections, and investment pathways that drive economic growth across the region.

Their leadership reflects a shared commitment to advancing trade, investment, and long-term opportunities in Los Angeles.

We look forward to continuing this work together.

Visit www.selectla.org for session footage, event photos, and the 2026 California FDI Report.

SAVE THE DATE!

Our 31st Annual EDDY Awards will be November 4th, 2026.
Save 20% on a table!

Interested? Email us at [email protected]

Sponsor Appreciation

To our sponsors, thank you. Your support makes the Select LA Investment Summit possible and sustains LAEDC’s programs that create jobs, strengthen communities, and expand equitable opportunity across Los Angeles County. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and investment in our region’s future.