Amazon's Cameron Onumah watches as Assemblymember Steven Choi tells us five things we didn't know about him at the State Officeholders Dinner.

Last week, VICA hosted our annual State Officeholders Dinner at the Sheraton Universal. Leaders throughout California joined us to take part in one of VICA's most popular events.

VICA members had the unique opportunity to connect with state legislators and fellow business leaders during the networking reception, and got a glimpse into the lives of our representatives during the dinner. After Darnell Tyler (Comcast NBCUniversal) welcomed us to the reception, our officeholders participated in an exciting program, emceed by Martin Adams (LA Department of Water and Power), Cameron Onumah (Amazon), and VICA Chair Brad Rosenheim (Rosenheim & Associates). The games included "Would You Rather", "Free Association", "Guilty Pleasures", and "Rapid Fire Questions".

VICA thanks the following state officials, who took time out of their busy schedules to speak with business leaders and have a little bit of fun!

Lupita Sanchez Cornejo (AT&T) closed out the night and thanked our sponsors. The 2021 State Officeholders Dinner was presented by Amazon, Comcast NBCUniversal, Farmers Insurance, and co-sponsored by Amgen, AT&T, Cerrell, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, FivePoint, Health Net, Providence Health, Ralphs, and the Southern California Gas Company.

Join us to ask questions from transportation leaders Hilary Norton (FASTLinkDTLA), Jay Kim (LADOT) and David Libatique (Port of LA).

LIVE EVENT: The Garland

At VICA's 72nd Annual Meeting, VICA members will elect a new Board and Executive Committee for 2022. Nominees from a diverse set of businesses, organizations and industries were carefully selected to lead VICA in the coming year.

VICA sent letters and urged our members to express support of the LA28 Games Agreement to the LA City Council. This plan will build an operational framework around collaboration, transparency, community benefit, risk mitigation and financial safeguarding, all while ensuring critical flexibility over the next seven years.

By outlining City integration and reimbursement of City services, the agreement will ensure the Games will represent all Angelenos and serve the interests of our diverse communities. It lays a foundation for a fiscally responsible Games in 2028 that will clearly deliver significant benefits and legacies for our community at no cost to the city. The agreement will outline structure, risk mitigation, transparency, and fiscal responsibility to ensure that the Games highlight the values of our city and all Angelenos. Further, it will establish a structure replicable across other municipalities.

The LA28 Games Agreement is an important milestone as we advance toward 2028 and begin to organize these games. VICA will continue to be active in bringing the Olympics to Los Angeles so that we can reap the success and fiscal benefits that it will bring.

Consumers should prepare to pay more for Christmas trees this year because of wildfires, floods, and weather in Oregon as well as supply chain issues.

Only about 80% of students in LAUSD are on track to comply with a COVID vaccine mandate, raising concerns for thousands of students to lose in-person classes.

The COVID-19 surge affecting Central California is so dire that health officials are urging the state to make it easier to transfer the hospital patients to L.A..

Santa Ana winds are expected to come for Thanksgiving in Southern California, delivering the potential for critical fire weather conditions and power shutoffs.

VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week. For more information or to schedule your member message, contact cathy@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.