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 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Thank you for your interest in the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the L.A. Area Chamber is to improve the economic prosperity and quality of life of the L.A. region. The activities of a chamber of commerce can vary, so sometimes visitors contact us about a program, service or question that is covered by another L.A. organization. Below is a list of the most common questions we receive, along with contact information for other L.A. resources.


1. WHAT IS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?

A Chamber of commerce is a business membership organization.

Goals of a chamber:

  • Improve the business climate and quality of life in a community, typically through advocacy, networking and business development programs.

2. WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE L.A. AREA CHAMBER?

Companies join a chamber of commerce to increase their organization’s visibility and invest in the future of their community.

  • The L.A. Area Chamber is the largest and oldest chamber of commerce in L.A. County, and we helped build L.A.'s water system, freeways, port, transit system, and more.

3. HOW DOES OUR CHAMBER RELATE TO OTHER CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE?

There are more than 3,000 chambers of commerce operating at the local, regional, state and national level through the United States. Each of these organizations is incorporated and operated separately, rather than as a chapter or franchise of some larger network of organizations. While the L.A. Area Chamber may partner with local chambers throughout the area on various issues, and may maintain membership in the state and U.S. Chamber, the L.A. Area Chamber is not tied to or a subsidiary of any of those organizations. Any connection the L.A. Area Chamber has to other chambers is one of voluntary affiliation or membership, and does not extend to control or governance.

4. WHERE CAN I FIND ECONOMIC DATA AND INDUSTRY DEMOGRAPHICS FOR LOS ANGELES OR INFORMATION ABOUT MOVING MY BUSINESS TO L.A. COUNTY?

Contact our partner organization, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, 213.622.4300, 888.452.3321 or www.laedc.org.

5. I'M THINKING ABOUT VISITING L.A. WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON TOURISM, CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND UPCOMING CONVENTIONS?

Contact our partner organization, LA INC., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800.366.6116 or www.discoverla.com or the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, 213.202.5500 or www.culturela.com.

6. I PLAN TO START A BUSINESS IN LOS ANGELES. HOW DO I GET STARTED?

For more information, contact:

  • Small Business Administration, 818.552.3201 or www.sba.gov
  • Los Angeles Minority Business Opportunity Center, 213.978.0671, Ext. 2696 or www.lamboc.org
  • Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), 213.674.2696 or www.lasbdcnet.org
  • SCORE, a partner of the Small Business Administration, 213.580.7592 or www.score.org (for business counseling and feedback on your business plan

      To register a business name, contact:
  • L.A. County Department of Registrar/Recorder and the L.A. County Clerk, 562.462.2177 or www.lavote.net
      For a business license in the City of Los Angeles, contact:
  • Office of Finance Division, 213.473.5901

      For a business license in an unincorporated part of L.A. County, contact:
  • L.A. County Business License Office, 213.974.2011

7. Where can I find information on relocating to L.A.?

You can purchase a comprehensive relocation packet from the Chamber at www.lachamber.com.

8. How do I file a complaint about a local business?

Contact the Better Business Bureau, 310.945.3166 or www.bbb.org or the Los Angeles County Office of Consumer Affairs, 213.974.1452 or www.dca.ca.gov.

9. Where can I obtain a list of businesses in the L.A. area?

Visit our Chamber Store at www.lachamber.com to purchase the Southern California Business Directory, a printed or electronic guide which includes contact information for more than 35,000 businesses. To purchase a list of more than 1,600 Chamber members, visit the Chamber Store at www.lachamber.com.

10. Where can I obtain a birth, death or marriage certificate?

Contact the Los Angeles County Registrar, 562.466.1323 or www.lavote.net.

11. How can I contact City Hall and other local elected officials?

There are 88 cities in L.A. County, each with their own municipal governments. Most often, we receive inquiries about L.A. City Hall, which is located at 200 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213.485.2121 or www.lacity.org.

12. How can I advertise with the L.A. Area Chamber?

Advertising opportunities in our print and email newsletters and on our Web site are available exclusively to Chamber members. To receive a copy of our ad rate sheet or for more information, contact Monika Medina, 213.580.7516 or mmedina@lachamber.com.

13. How can I promote an event to Chamber members and the L.A. community?

Submit your event for posting to our free online Community Calendar at www.lachamber.com/events. For more information contact Pat Clark, 213.580.7595 or pclark@lachamber.com.

14. I JUST MOVED TO LOS ANGELES. WHO DO I CALL TO TURN ON MY UTILITIES?