Monday, May 8

Oil Chat

Steamed about prices at the pump? Find out why they’re so high and the outlook for the future from Ali I. Al-Naimi, minister of petroleum and mineral resources for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Al-Naimi will speak at a noon luncheon sponsored by the World Affairs Council at the Hotel Inter-Continental in downtown L.A. Information: (213) 628-2333.

Tuesday, May 9

Finding Help

Bruce Karatz, chairman and CEO of homebuilder Kaufman & Broad, will share strategies for hiring and retaining top employees at the JVS Strictly Business Lunch, starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel Le Meridian in Beverly Hills. Mayor Richard Riordan and Sotheby’s Chairwoman Andrea Van de Kamp will also make remarks. Information: (323) 761-8888, ext. 105.

Wednesday, May 10

Digital Doings

The Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, promises to be as chaotic, gigantic and mandatory as ever for executives in the multimedia business. The mondo trade show will attract thousands of conventioneers and more than 450 speakers. The event starts at 9 a.m. today at the Los Angeles Convention Center and runs through Saturday. Information: (800) 315-1133.

Trade Talks

Experts on Latin American trade will be on hand today for the fourth annual Trade with the Americas Conference and Trade Show, focusing this year on Central America. The event starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown L.A. Information: (877) 982-2776.

Film Fest

What happened to all the Hollywood executives? They’ve jetted to the south of France, where the Cannes International Film Festival runs from today through May 21.