The Global Cities Initiative today announced its 2013 schedule of forums, bringing business, civic and government leaders together to explore how their metropolitan areas can better compete in the global economy. In its second year, Global Cities will continue to equip these leaders with information and policy ideas, catalyze action, and build an international network  of metropolitan leaders whose regions ultimately trade, invest, and grow together.

Atlanta            (Mar. 19-20)                                    Denver            (June 25-26)

Houston          (May 14-15)                                    México City     (Nov. 11-15)

Dallas              (May 16)

Global Cities is a five-year project that combines JPMorgan Chase's longstanding commitment to investing in cities with Brookings' deep expertise in metro-focused research. The research and discussion forums aim to give business, civic and government leaders from the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas and select international metropolitan areas the data, policy ideas, and global connections they need to help their communities thrive in the global economy.

"Vibrant, global cities don't just appear on their own. It takes strategy, collaboration, data and insight," said Richard M. Daley, chair of the Global Cities Initiative and former mayor of Chicago. "Of course, it also takes leadership. That's what the Global Cities forums are all about. We are getting the right people around the table to explore opportunities and actions to drive local and regional economic growth and help cities better compete in the global economy."

"In the 21st century, cities and metropolitan areas will be the engines of national economies and the hubs of global trade," said Bruce Katz, director of the Global Cities Initiative, vice president and founding director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. "The inevitable result: national trade policies will become increasingly locally focused and local economic development will increasingly drive national policies and engage global partners."

In 2013, Brookings will deliver new research focused on the distinctive trading- and investment-oriented strengths of these metropolitan areas.

"We're excited to be taking Global Cities to these five great metropolitan areas," said Peter Scher, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Responsibility at JPMorgan Chase. "We look for cities with unique civic assets, forward thinking leaders, and a collaborative business environment. Our 2013 cities have those attributes in common."

JPMorgan Chase employs more than 35,000 people in the states of Georgia, Texas and Colorado, and more than 250 people in Mexico.

About Global Cities

JPMorgan Chase made a $10 million, five-year commitment to the Brookings Institution in 2011, and during its first year, the organizations held forums and roundtables in Los Angeles; San Diego; Columbus, OH; Miami, FL; Tampa Bay, FL and Singapore. A forum in São Paúlo, Brazil is scheduled for November 27-30. In its first year, the Initiative:

• Inspired three regions to develop Metropolitan Export Plans: San Diego, Columbus, Tampa. Led by the mayors and business leaders that participated in the Global Cities events, these partnerships include local governments, chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, ports and airports, state and federal agencies, and other economic development groups.

• Advanced a new focus for the global economic agenda in Los Angeles. Global Cities discussions helped lead to new funding commitments for the LA Regional Export Council (LARExC), a public-private collaboration to coordinate, focus, and streamline delivery of export services in the region. In addition, the business schools at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles announced a new program that is matching MBA research teams with small and mid-sized businesses to help increase their export opportunities.

• Motivated new efforts to resolve national goods movement challenges. A group of elected, business, and transportation leaders spanning Miami to Los Angeles is forming to focus on advocating for policies that enable better infrastructure investment decisions and funding tools to support more efficient movement of goods.

• Initiated a national network of regional leaders collaborating on growth through global trade and investment. Linked by the Global Cities experience, mayors, business executives, university presidents, and others are sharing ideas to support global trade and investment. In November, delegations from current and future Global Cities metros are traveling to Brazil to exchange policy ideas and establish economic connections with their counterparts from São Paúlo.

About the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings

The Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings provides decision-makers with cutting-edge research and policy ideas for improving the health and prosperity of metropolitan areas, including their component cities, suburbs, and rural areas. To learn more, please visit: www.brookings.edu/metro. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/brookingsmetro

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.3 trillion and operations worldwide. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.5 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

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