News & Updates

Burnham Community Dialogue: Nearshoring Opportunities – CaliBaja Region

In an ever-changing geopolitical world, many U.S. companies are turning to Mexico as an alternative nearshoring supply chain partner. Understanding our cross-border cultural and economic landscape is essential for our region to fully leverage the opportunities for closer relations for business, community, and the public-at-large.

Generously sponsored by CalPrivate Bank, please join the Burnham Center for Community Advancement in collaboration with the Institute of the Americas, for a community dialogue about our region’s nearshoring opportunities. Be part of the unveiling of our comprehensive report, (https://iamericas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Synthesized-nearshoring-CaliBaja.pdf) jointly developed by the Institute of the Americas and the Burnham Center for Community Advancement. Gain insights into policy and advocacy efforts aimed at maximizing this generational shift of companies considering alternative nearshoring options.

We are fortunate to present our expert panel:

  • Kenia Zamarripa, Vice President of International and Public Affairs, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Wendy Fry, CalMatters – Journalist, Investigative Reporter/Producer (Moderator)
  • Nikia Clarke, Senior Vice President, San Diego Regional EDC
  • Cristina Hermosillo, Board Chair, Tijuana EDC
  • Kurt Honold, Secretary of Economy and Innovation, Baja California
  • Richard Kiy, President & CEO, Institute of the Americas

Institute of The Americas’ mission is to be a catalyst for promoting economic development and integration, emphasizing the role of the private sector, as a means to improve the economic and social well-being of the people of the Americas.

The Burnham Community Dialogue is a speaker series that will help us build a common space where issues of the day come to light and where we can hear from regional and global experts and share our diverse and inclusive views.

DATE: THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024

TIME: 8:30AM10:30AM

LOCATION: UC SAN DIEGO PARK & MARKET (GUGGENHEIM THEATER – LOBBY LEVEL), 1100 MARKET ST., SAN DIEGO, CA 92101

RSVP: Burnham Community Dialogue: Nearshoring Opportunities – CaliBaja Region Tickets, Thu, Apr 25, 2024 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite

Annual Women Industry Leaders Forum

This month, Chamber Policy Analyst Jimena Villasenor-Martinez shared insight on regional challenges at Index Zona Costa BC’s Annual Women Industry Leaders Forum in Tijuana.

A significant part of Jimena’s message focused on the empowerment of women in leadership roles within industries traditionally dominated by men. The forum itself served as a testament to the growing influence and leadership of women in the industrial sector across the Baja California region.

 

CBS 8 Catching up with the Chamber 

This month, President and CEO Jerry Sanders and Executive Director of Public Affairs Justine Murray joined CBS 8 San Diego to discuss the vital work we are doing— from addressing cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River Valley to challenges in our healthcare system. 

 

2024 Mission to Washington, D.C. Highlights

 

 

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This year’s annual Mission to Washington, D.C. delegation trip set a new attendance record with 174 delegates. This impressive turnout included a significant number of first-time participants, an essential aspect of our continuing growth and diversity in perspectives. 

We were privileged to be joined by regional leaders such as San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. The delegation also included Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, and several influential County Supervisors and City Council members from across the region including

  • County Supervisors Monica Montgomery Steppe, Terra Lawson-Remer, and Joel Anderson 
  • San Diego City Council President Sean Elo Rivera, Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava, and Councilmembers Raul Campillo, Henry Foster, Kent Lee, Vivian Moreno, and Stephen Whitburn 
  • Tijuana Councilmember Mario Iturrios 
  • Chula Vista Councilmember Carolina Chavez 

Their active participation throughout the event was a testament to their dedication to our community’s needs and aspirations.

We saw some immediate successes from the smaller group meetings:  

For instance, both Customs and Border Protection and the Department of State have committed to visiting San Diego next month for follow-up discussions. This promises further engagement on critical issues such as border efficiency—a topic already seeing proactive solutions from our Chamber members through innovative technology.

In the healthcare track, our efforts secured federal commitments to support the extension of telehealth services, a vital tool for modern healthcare delivery. Discussions with the Department of Housing and Urban Development opened new avenues for funding affordable housing, aligning with our regional priorities.

Our advocacy for addressing pollution in the Tijuana River Valley gained traction, with the issue receiving proactive support from numerous legislators and agencies such as the CDC and EPA. This reflects the extensive groundwork laid by our community to elevate this critical environmental concern.

These successes underline the importance of in-person meetings, which continue to be a powerful mechanism for engaging with federal leaders and advancing our advocacy work. 

“The Chamber’s Mission to Washington, D.C. delegation trip is instrumental in fostering relationships with policymakers and advocating for initiatives vital to our region’s growth,” said Jerry Sanders, Chamber President and CEO. San Diego is about as far as you can get from D.C., so when we bring a group this large representing so many diverse industries and interests it really sends a message that we are invested in these issues and ready to work together to make change happen. It gets the attention that helps us move the needle.” 

“This mission to Washington D.C. helps bring our region’s unified voice — and the wants and needs of San Diegans — to the table in our nation’s capital,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Together, we are showcasing our binational and cross-sector cooperation while advocating for the policies and federal support that will help our communities.” 

“I am grateful to the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce for putting together this annual delegation, which has been instrumental in bringing a broad range of stakeholders together to advocate for the San Diego Region. This chamber has long prioritized advocating for solutions to end the transboundary pollution crisis, and thanks to this advocacy, we have secured $156 million for border infrastructure upgrades. I look forward to continuing to work with the chamber to ensure a resilient future for all,“ said Mayor Paloma Aguirre. 

“The Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis is polluting our coastlines and making our water unhealthy and unsafe, affecting the coastal communities I represent from Coronado to Carlsbad,” said Terra Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “I am here to fight for immediate resources to help San Diego County protect our ocean, beaches, and coastlines from toxic pollution. This can be solved by fixing the broken sewage infrastructure. 

“The sewage crisis is keeping local families from enjoying the beaches and ocean, making our kids sick, and harming the small businesses and workers in our beach communities,” Supervisor Lawson-Remer continued. If people can’t get in the water, it prevents people from coming to the coastal areas, which hurts the local economy. This is an environmental catastrophe, and we need federal support to fix it.” 

Key topics of discussion included: 

  • Mitigating cross-border pollution 
  • Border infrastructure and efficiency  
  • Economic development and trade 
  • Infrastructure Investment 
  • Workforce development and education 
  • Healthcare policy 
  • Innovation and technology 

Delegates met with:

  • Mexico’s Ambassador to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma 
  • San Diego Congressional Delegation including Reps. Issa (CA-48), Jacobs (CA-51), Levin (CA-49), Peters (CA-50), and Vargas (CA-52) 
  • U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (CA-D) 
  • Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-30) 
  • Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mexico and Canada, Rachel M. Poynter 
  • Embassy of Japan in the United States of America First Secretary of Economic Section, Taro Han 
  • Environmental Protection Agency Senior Advisor of Office of Water, Zachary Schafer 
  • Department of Health and Human Services Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Bertha Alisia Guerrero, and Acting Principal Deputy Director Eduardo Cisneros, 
  • Small Business Administration Office of Entrepreneurial Development (OED) Associate Administrator Mark Madrid and Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (ODR&R) Senior Advisor Warren Miller 
  • United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, Dr. Kimberly McClain 
  • United States Department of Transportation Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, Evan Wessel 
  • See full agenda here 

 

Small Business Awards – Nominations OPEN NOW

CLICK TO APPLY


 

Ready to shine a spotlight on your exceptional business? Whether you’re renowned for prioritizing customers above all else, making impactful contributions to our community, or simply dominating the business scene, we want to hear from you!

Apply or nominate a small business for the Chamber’s 2024 Small Business Awards, where we celebrate and honor our region’s top small businesses driving the San Diego economy forward.

Winning an award not only brings bragging rights, it helps strengthen your brand, boosts visibility, uplifts team morale, and distinguishes you from competitors. As a finalist or award recipient, you’ll be recognized in front of 300+ business and community leaders at the 2024 Small Business Awards.

Applications are quick, easy, and free for members. Don’t miss this opportunity to shine – submit your application or nominate a deserving business by June 14, 2024.

CLICK TO APPLY


Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must be a current member in good standing with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Eligible applicants must have 50 or fewer employees in total. Small businesses (including nonprofits) must be independently owned and operated, and home-based, street front or office-based organizations. Organizations may apply to multiple categories. Award winners from the last 2 years will not be eligible to win again in the same category.


Winners receive:

  • Recognition during the Small Business Awards program
  • Award engraved with company name
  • Official award winner logo
  • Tabletop exhibit at a future Chamber mixer
  • Digital and social media recognition

Finalists receive:

  • Finalist logo
  • Recognition at the Small Business Awards Mixer and in the event program
  • Digital and social media recognition

CLICK TO APPLY

 

 

 

Press Conference – D.C. Delegation Trip

 

 

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas, and City of Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre will be holding a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Monday, April 15 at 7:05 AM PT during the Chamber’s annual Mission to Washington, D.C. Delegation Trip.

WHO:

  • Jerry Sanders, President and CEO of San Diego Regional Chamber
  • Mayor Todd Gloria, City of San Diego
  • Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors
  • Mayor Paloma Aguirre, City of Imperial Beach

Member Spotlight: ECS Moonlight Ball

Join Episcopal Community Services (ECS) for their Moonlight Ball, their annual fundraiser to support life-changing programs that empower the most vulnerable members of society.

This prestigious event marks 97 years of ECS leading the way in addressing critical community challenges, such as homelessness, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, and early childhood education services. Your participation and generosity are vital in helping ECS continue providing these services to over 7,000 clients annually.

There will be fine dining, live music, and inspiring festivities while celebrating the families and clients who have been blessed through ECS services. Each ticket, donation, and auction bid directly contributes to their transformative programs, positively affecting the lives of others.

Don’t wait; secure your spot and purchase your ticket today!

LEADers On The Move

We enjoy seeing what our graduates are doing and how they are making an impact on the world. Share your good news with us via email: lead@sdchamber.org.

Adolfo Ventura (Current LEAD Board) is now the Chief Programs & Operations Officer of MAAC.

Elizabeth Ramirez (Advance 2020 & Influence 2023) has been named a Woman of Distinction by the City of San Diego.

Julian Parra (Influence 2009) is now a Board Member for Junior Achievement of San Diego County.

Alison Bushan (Impact 2016) is now the Senior Director of Marketing for the University of San Diego School of Law.

Marlyn Carrillo (Advance 2022), Dana Toppel (Influence 2022 & Board Member), and Wendy Urushima-Conn (Impact 1998) have been reappointed as Commissioners on the City of San Diego’s Commission on Status of Women.

Kenia Zamarripa (Impact 2019) was named an Equity SHEro Award Recipient by the County of San Diego.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ARTREACH

 

Igniting youth creativity through visual arts expression and community connection 

ArtReach believes all young people deserve equal access to creative opportunities. Thousands of students in San Diego County schools have no access to visual arts education programs. ArtReach shrinks that gap by connecting youth from underserved communities to our free/low-cost residency and mural programs. 

Artmaking provides a conduit for igniting the creativity that already resides within each young person, helps students process and express feelings, fosters community with their peers, and builds self-esteem in a supportive yet challenging environment. 

Learn more about ArtReach 

How does your support impact our programs? 

Support from community partners provides ArtReach with the means to create free and low-cost art opportunities for youth at schools and community sites throughout San Diego County. Your investment guarantees that no child will ever pay for art lessons, and in turn, builds a lasting and meaningful creative experience for young artists who do not otherwise have the resources. 

2022-2023 donor impact: 

  • 29 Artist Residencies
  • 17 Collaborative Murals
  • 22 Community Workshops
  • 8,514 Youth Participants 

Learn more about the direct impact you can provide by downloading our 2022-2023 Impact Report 

Hear from one of our community partners: 

“Partnering with ArtReach San Diego was an easy decision for us due to their stellar reputation for involving local groups in every step of the process, ensuring their stories are accurately portrayed. Josué and the ArtReach team exceeded our expectations by actively engaging the City Heights community throughout our project. The result is a breathtaking mural series that beautifully captures the diverse spirit, culture, and essence of the neighborhood. We could not be more thrilled with the finished product!” – Cara Vereschagin, Project Manager, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation 

What’s important to you? 

If your business shares a commitment to ignite youth creativity, let’s explore how we can work together! 

Learn more about partnering with ArtReach 

Stay Connected: 

 ArtReach is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization // Tax ID 39-2067596 

Chamber Policy Advisor Tours CA Water and Agriculture 

 

This month, Chamber Policy Advisor Lauren Cazares attended a three-day Inspection Tour of the State Water Project and Central Valley Agriculture with the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Attendees visited the Oroville Dam, Hyatt Powerplant, the Bay Delta, Big Break Visitor Center, and Edmonston Pumping Plant. Additionally, they toured the RPAC Almonds facility and learned about the process of getting from a seed to a store. The focus was on the largest state-built water and power system in the nation, which runs hundreds of miles from Northern California to Southern California, and the complex political issues influencing how the system operates and the numerous challenges facing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta.