Mayor Karen Bass took a step to reinvigorate the Los Angeles economy with the launch of the "LA is Open" campaign, a move to bolster business confidence and tourism, especially after the January wildfires dealt a blow to local commerce. The initiative, designed to highlight LA's small businesses, cultural scenes, and creative industries, invites both residents and visitors to engage in various activities through the Shop LA, Dine LA, and Discover LA sub-campaigns.
According to a release by the Los Angeles Mayor's Office, Mayor Bass stated, "Through this bold new campaign, we are sending a clear message that Los Angeles is open for business and ready to welcome everyone back to LA to explore all that our vibrant city has to offer." She emphasized the city's unique neighborhoods and attractions, like Olvera Street and Little Ethiopia, and highlighted key spaces such as local museums, beaches, and parks.
In collaboration with the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, LAEDC, the California Community Foundation, and the City of Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department, the campaign represents a unified effort to showcase Los Angeles's resilience and readiness to host both domestic and global visitors. Mayor Bass was joined in the announcement by figures like Dee Dee Myers, senior advisor and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, signaling a robust state-county-city partnership.
"LA is Open reflects collective determination of our region to rise stronger than ever, this campaign is not just about recovery; it’s about renewal," Stephen Cheung, President and CEO of the LAEDC, said, pointing out the focused joint effort of public and private sector partners. Furthermore, Mayor Bass has been laying groundwork for the future, hosting the Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to local business networking, announcing "Games for All" vision tied to the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, unveiling a Contract Financing Program supported by Banc of California to help small businesses access city contracts.
The "LA is Open" initiative is part of a continued push to not only stimulate recovery, but also to position Los Angeles as a prime destination for upcoming large-scale events that have the potential to inject significant economic activity into the region. To learn more about the campaign or to find ways to participate, individuals can visit the LAEDC website or follow the campaign on various social media platforms.
