An exciting convergence of trends is happening: big shifts in retail, new innovations in manufacturing, and new momentum around making things rather than just apps. On October 6, Maker Walk LA provided aĀ behind-the-scenes look at some of these trends at maker and manufacturing businesses around the Arts District. And at the closing celebration, MAKE IT IN LAĀ announced its new charitable status and a $40,000 grant to expand programming.
Check out the video on Maker Walk LA!
In celebration of Manufacturing Day and the newly designated LA Manufacturing Week, hundreds of local entrepreneurs, creatives, manufacturers, and brands gathered for an afternoon of free workshops, factory tours and demos. Guests checked in at La Kretz Innovation Campus to receive maps and wristbands for a self-guided adventure around the neighborhood.
Stops included a sneak peek at how Hyperloop One is changing the face of transportation; exclusive hands-on demos of Oblong Industries’ giant 40-foot interactive display wall; workshops about manufacturing luxury leather goods at La La Land Production; tours and tastings at a local distillery, brewery, and a coffee roaster; and educational programming at the Advanced Prototyping Center at LACI. A comprehensive listing and description of tours can be foundĀ here.
Maker Walk LA concluded with an evening V.I.P. celebration of making and manufacturing in Los Angeles, co-hosted in part by the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office at local shoe manufacturer COMUNITY. At the reception, the MAKE IT IN LA initiative of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the organization had received notification of its 501(c)(3) charitable designation from the I.R.S. and a $40,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. On Monday, to kick off LA Manufacturing Week, Mayor Garcetti had announced a new platform to showcase local creatives and makers called LA Original. Party co-host COMUNITY shared thoughts about the importance of manufacturing locally and of supporting the community.
The closing celebration featured beer tastings from Angel City Brewery, signature craft cocktails by Greenbar Distillery and Califia Farms, woodfired pizza from URBN, lighting by HIVE, and maker mini-workshops with local friends DAQRI Smart Helmet, Fabdesigns, and IndieSource. Other sponsors of Maker Walk LA included SmartyPants Vitamins, Durolabs, Sheppard Mullin, CMTC, Happily, K&L Gates, Priority Pak, Red Bull, LADWP, LA Sanitation, and the Opportunity Fund.
See some photos below, and stay tuned for a video. Join the tribe to stay in the loop about local happenings and receive future invitations!
Photographs by Mae & Minh Photography
Thanks to our sponsors and partners!
Thanks also to our marketing partners for helping bring the community together:
MAKE IT IN LA is a region-wide initiative to connect and celebrate the nationās largest community of makers and manufacturers. Its mission is to support and inspire entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into real products in Los Angeles. The non-profit provides educational programming, factory tours, community-building events, online content, and links to resources to help businesses scale. The initiative spun out of Los Angeles Mayor Garcettiās Entrepreneur-in-Residence program and is made possible by numerous partners and supporters. Learn more and join the movement: makeitinla.org