The city’s vaccination efforts, investments in trade infrastructure and the role of the Port of Long Beach in the Long Beach’s economic recovery will be the main subjects discussed by a panel of experts at the Accelerate Long Beach economic forum on March 18.

The free, virtual event will feature localized data on trade, logistics and economic developments, and will highlight the economic impact of the city’s ongoing vaccination process and unique position as the only West Coast port city with its own health department.

The forum will also include a review of the past year, which saw record-breaking cargo traffic, despite months of limited trade during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

Speakers will include Mayor Robert Garcia, councilmembers Rex Richardson, Stacy Mungo Flanigan and Cindy Allen, as well as representatives of the port and local economic experts.

The main portion of the event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, will be interactive, allowing participants to pose questions to panelists. The main event will be followed by three VIP roundtables, which are free to view. Anyone planning to attend can sign up online, with the option of purchasing access passes for those wanting to participate live in the roundtable discussions.

Roundtables will focus on an in-depth look at the road toward economic recovery with city leaders, a conversation on the outlook of the port through 2021 with port leadership, and a review of vaccination policies and their economic impact with several Long Beach Post journalists.