The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, joined by Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti and other Cash for College campaign partners awarded more than $600,000 to more than 500 local students heading to college in the fall during the 5th annual Scholarship Awards Reception.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Chamber members to kick off the 2010-11 HIRE LA’s Youth campaign by rallying business leaders to hire youth during an employer engagement breakfast at the Chamber.

The Chamber joined Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lieutenant Gov. Abel Maldonado for a news conference at the Chamber to celebrate the passage of Proposition 14, which will reform the primary election process for congressional, statewide and legislative races and allow voters to choose any candidate, regardless of the candidate's or voter's political party preference.

More than 100 business and civic leaders advocated for pro-jobs legislation in Sacramento.

The Chamber, in partnership with the Consulate General and Promotion Center of the Argentine Republic, welcomed ProsperAr President Dr. Beatriz Nofal, above, for a private briefing on the investment opportunities in Argentina. Nofal, whose ranking is equivilant to that of U.S. state secretary, heads ProsperAr, which is Argentina's investment development agency. She addressed the current resources available for foreign investors in Argentina and discussed Argentina's resilient economy.

Father Greg Boyle, executive director of Homebody Industries, discussed the politics of gang intervention, prevention and jobs in an economic downturn.

The Chamber's Trade Commissioners Networking Group (TCNG) toured the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica last month and met with RAND Executive Vice President Michael Rich. Rich shared RAND's role as a research institute and the organization's international influence. TCNG members were invited to provide any research opportunities and partnerships they believe their respective countries could have with RAND.

Expert panelists discussed how small businesses can grow their businesses with small business strategies

Larry Flax, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen, discussed how he went from the courtroom to the kitchen.

Economic experts discussed what's next for L.A. at the 2nd Annual What's Next LA? Economic Forecast Conference at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott.