Long Beach... A Move into the Future

Long Beach . . . A Move into the Future

This year I celebrate my 25 th anniversary as the president/CEO of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, and it is a dream come true to host the ACCE annual convention this July. Our team is excited to share with you our dynamic city which is changing from an economy of the past to one that is focused on the future, led by three “T’s” and an “R”—Tourism, Trade, Technology and Retail.

Randy Gordon, CCE, IOM, President/CEO, Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Few cities can boast that the following industries exist in any abundance within their borders: tourism and hospitality, international trade, aviation, healthcare, oil, gas and retail—along with a number of growing family-owned small businesses. The diversity of industry in Long Beach, combined with the city’s ideal geographical location, points to a multitude of business opportunities. Long Beach has emerged as a first-class visitor and convention destination complete with top quality accommodations, award winning restaurants, unique shopping venues and must see attractions like the world famous Queen Mary and Aquarium of the Pacific. The city also hosts the largest road race in America, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Our 90-year-old Long Beach Airport is a landmark in aviation history complete with its historic main terminal facility along with added modern conveniences and local amenities. The airport boasts 51 commercial flights from Honolulu to Boston and it consistently ranks in the top 10 best U.S. airports. It’s also one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world with nearly 300,000 annual operations. Our airport is directly responsible for 18,000 jobs locally and 43,000 in the region. The value of the output directly associated with the enterprises on the site is $6.2 billion.

Our 3,200 acre Port of Long Beach is the second busiest port in the U.S. and a leading gateway between North America and Asia, generating billions of dollars in economic activity each year. On average, the port handles more than 7.5 million container units; cargo valued at $194 billion; 82 million metric tons of cargo; and 2,000 vessel calls. It supports 51,000 jobs in Long Beach, which adds up to be one out of every five jobs. Regionally the port supports 576,000 jobs equaling one out every 20 jobs in the five county Southern California region. On a national scale, 2.5 million jobs in the U.S. are related to trade that is generated from the Port of Long Beach. Three recent projects at more than $1 billion each are under way and are almost complete. Proving to be the economic generator of our community, region, state and country.

Long Beach is also on the rise . . . literally. Our development boom is a regional envy. Our new $550 million public-private-partnership civic center will open in early July and since 2017, dozens of new projects have been proposed, approved or completed throughout the city. This includes more than 7,000 new housing units, 1,000 new hotel rooms and four million square feet in commercial, industrial and municipal use.

These are good times in our city and I’m excited to greet you when you arrive. Please come to learn, connect and stay a while in our beautiful city. We have an exciting convention planned with closing festivities aboard the legendary Queen Mary. Come early and stay late . . . you will not be disappointed.

—Randy Gordon, CCE, IOM | President/CEO, Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce