Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

HISTORY

First observed in Southern California in 1927, World Trade Week was founded by Stanley T. Olafson, then manager of the World Trade Department of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. By 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had officially proclaimed World Trade Week a national observance by the U.S. Government. Initially created to promote the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, World Trade Week expanded its scope following World War II. Today, World Trade Week actively promotes the positive aspects of international trade that are vital to a strong local and national economy, under the guidance of founding sponsors the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles World Airports, the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles. View World Trade Week historical photos.

WORLD TRADE WEEK ARTICLE ARCHIVE

Every year World Trade Week garners media attention. Read past articles, going back to the 1940s, on the significance of World Trade Week. Read more

WORLD TRADE WEEK PROCLAMATIONS

World Trade Week has received numerous proclamations from elected officials. Read more

Southern California's World Trade Week observance is the most extensive and unique program of its kind in the country. The breakfast is designed to promote the importance of international trade, and more than 500 executives and members of the diplomatic corps attend each year. Read more

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