Long Beach Economic Partnership

Racing into the future with our global partners! 🏁🌎

What a weekend at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach ! Our CEO Courtney Russell and City Protocol Officer Beril Unver had the pleasure of hosting an international delegation featuring leaders from Croatia, Brazil, Mexico, Denmark, and the UAE. 🇭🇷🇧🇷🇲🇽🇩🇰🇦🇪

Beyond the track, this was a moment to showcase why Long Beach is a top destination for global business and tourism. From a specialized tour led by the City’s Special Events team to discussing trade opportunities with Consuls General, the energy was electric!

Shoutout to the team that made it happen:
🤝 Beril Unver for the flawless protocol and organization.
🌐 Felipe Cusnir for his invaluable work in facilitating these global introductions and partnerships.
📸 Julio Miranda from Economic Development for the incredible support.
⚙️ City of Long Beach Special Events and Filming for the behind-the-scenes access.

As we evolve into Invest Long Beach, we are committed to ensuring our city remains a frontrunner on the world stage. Swipe to see some highlights from the delegation’s visit! ➡️

👀 Teaser Alert: Want to see how we’re scaling these global partnerships? Keep an eye out for more info on our upcoming event, LBC On The Rise, where we’ll be hosting more foreign delegates and discussing the road to 2028!

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This year, LBEP was honored to once again host the Long Beach Site Selector Conference, culminating in the 50th Anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach hosted in partnership with Visit Long Beach.

From the rooftop of the historic Fairmont Breakers Long Beach to tour stops that included the Port of Long Beach, Space Beach, and the Queen Mary, the site selectors and guests were informed as well as entertained, as Long Beach once again shared its investment and growth opportunities.

Closing out our event were remarks from visiting site selectors, Ann Rybka, Lauren Berry, Paige Webster, CEcD, Sean Ferguson, and Jeffrey Garza Walker, MRED, MBA, plus the city's own City Manager Tom Modica, Economic Development Director Bo Martinez, and Mayor Rex Richardson. Attendees left with a rich understanding of all the City of Long Beach has to offer.

In 2024, LBEP proudly helped position Long Beach as a leader in the future of transportation.

Over the course of two years, we have convened leaders in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)—think autonomous flying taxis—to explore Long Beach’s potential as a hub for this innovative industry, thanks to our strategic location and thriving aerospace ecosystem.

In collaboration with Wisk Aero (a Boeing company) and the California State University, Long Beach Office of Economic Research, we released a groundbreaking Economic Impact Study detailing how AAM can create new jobs, unlock investment, and connect communities. Access report here: https://lnkd.in/gYnitA5f

We also welcomed a delegation from South Queensland, Australia, to exchange insights and strategies—furthering Long Beach’s global connections and commitment to sustainable innovation.

The future is flying—and it’s landing in Long Beach.

In 2023, LBEP was honored to sign a historic MOU with the Port of Long Beach, alongside Chief Executive Officer Cordero and LBEP Board Chair Ryan Altoon, marking a major milestone: the relaunch of the World Trade Center Long Beach.

As the 2nd busiest port in the nation, the Port of Long Beach is a powerful engine for economic growth—locally, regionally, and globally. This partnership represents a renewed commitment to positioning the City of Long Beach as a hub for international trade, innovation, and inclusive economic development.