By Kaleef Starks
The City of Los Angeles is two years away from hosting one of the biggest events for sports in the world, the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
On Jan. 15, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) hosted the LA28 Games Workforce & Procurement Symposium. Held at Exposition Park, the event served as a pathway to discuss various ways that the Los Angeles community can prepare through workforce development, contracts, and opportunities for small businesses to thrive.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas said a survey was conducted for stakeholders to get a deeper scope on how the Games will positively impact local businesses and community members.
“The program today is going to be one where we have three panels where we are discussing the topics of procurement, workforce development, workforce training opportunities, and what media opportunities will look like.” She continued, “I see this as the beginning of building long-term partnerships and economic development, with research furthering the development of Los Angeles for years to come,” said Smallwood Cuevas.
She further added, “We partnered with LA28 to host this event to ensure South LA working families and businesses get a fair shot at the jobs and contracts created by the Games,” said Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. “This event shows what’s possible when our community is included early and treated as a valuable partner.”
Procurement, and the understanding of it, was heavily emphasized throughout the event, as experts explained the process of a business receiving all of its needs. Guests were encouraged to visit RAMP LA at http://www.rampla.org to join Los Angeles’s regional marketplace for procurement to access contracting opportunities from regional partners.
Specialists from the mayor’s office and LA28 procurement specialists spoke to over 100 South LA workforce administrators and small business owners with one common objective: providing economic opportunities for marginalized communities that have traditionally been disregarded by significant international events.
Reynald Hoover, LA Chief Executive Officer, attended the symposium and facilitated a discussion with his representatives that offered small business owners a deep understanding of the procurement process and their hiring procedures.
“LA28 represents more than a moment on the world stage. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to uplift our communities,” said Hoover. “That is why we are working to prioritize the Los Angeles region—from those who live and work here to the small business owners, the parents of young inspiring athletes, and beyond. We are committed to this community and the lasting impact we leave behind for future generations, and we appreciate Senator Smallwood-Cuevas for her partnership.”
Workforce representatives gained knowledge about how to train their employees for career pipelines connected to LA28 projects and pathways into well-paying jobs. Minority-owned, women-owned, and small companies were given tools to assist them in addition to advice on how to effectively obtain future contracts.
The mayor’s office also led presentations to help small businesses understand demand and other procurement processes. “The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games are more than a major sporting event—they’re an opportunity to invest in our workforce and support our businesses, especially small businesses that have been historically underutilized,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “From family-owned neighborhood restaurants to film and video producers and special print services, the City and LA28 are ensuring that all businesses have an opportunity to benefit from the economic boost these Games will provide.”
