San Francisco Shines as a Hub for Innovation and a ‘City of Firsts’
By Rodney Fong — President and CEO, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
The San Francisco business community is at a pivotal moment as we host the prestigious APEC CEO Summit. The event not only strengthens our city’s global connections, but also plays a significant role in the revitalization of our business landscape.
San Francisco’s role as the host city is a testament to our enduring entrepreneurial spirit. This event attracts top business leaders and decision-makers from across the Asia-Pacific region and world, creating opportunities for local businesses to form partnerships, secure investments, and expand their global reach. The influx of business activities during the summit will boost our local economy, making a tangible impact on sectors from hospitality to technology.
Our identity as an innovation hub perfectly aligns with the idea of “Creating Economic Opportunity” and the themes guiding the 2023 CEO Summit.
San Francisco is committed to sustainable practices, ensuring inclusion for all, building resilience against major threats and challenges, and fostering a culture of innovation. These are not just buzzwords, but integral components of our city’s identity and values.
A connector for Asia-Pacific businesses and economies
San Francisco is centrally located and has an established business ecosystem which make it a natural connector for Asia-Pacific economies. Our strengths in technology, research, and innovation attract investors and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Businesses have a critical role to play in creating more equitable communities as both employers and drivers of change. Through partnerships and investments in education, workforce development, affordable housing efforts, and climate change solutions, businesses can contribute to sustainable change in our local communities. The private sector can be a catalyst for social and economic progress, ensuring that the benefits of our city’s prosperity are accessible to all.
Collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to San Francisco’s values
San Francisco finds itself with a once in a generation opportunity. We are reimagining our city to be more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. Achieving this vision relies on partnerships between the public and private sectors, leveraging technology and innovation to achieve shared goals. Collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to our city’s values have been the key.
The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is working with partners including Deloitte, Salesforce, Citi, and the World Economic Forum on the YesSF campaign, an urban sustainability vision to support climate entrepreneurs. Our business community’s commitment to fostering change in local communities will ensure that the benefits of our city’s growth are enjoyed by all.
Another initiative led by the city, “Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future,” outlines nine strategies to guarantee that San Francisco maintains a clean and safe environment, provides world-class transit, serves as an economically diverse and resilient job generator, and remains an active, dynamic destination.
San Francisco takes center stage
As we welcome hundreds of delegates to the APEC CEO Summit, San Francisco will take center stage in the global business arena. Our city’s strengths as an innovation hub, a connector for Asia-Pacific businesses, and a champion of inclusivity and sustainability will continue to play a pivotal role in generating economic opportunity.
The future holds great promise for San Francisco, and we are excited to be a part of this transformation. The Chamber is honored to host an Innovation Zone with Mayor London Breed during APEC to showcase our trailblazing history and the innovative technologies emerging from local entrepreneurs, all of which make us a “city of firsts.”
I encourage all stakeholders, from business leaders to community members, to actively engage in initiatives that promote our city’s values and contribute to its lasting success.
Together, we can shape a brighter, more equitable future for San Francisco.
