News & Updates

Member Spotlight: The San Diego Seals

Member Spotlight

October 30, 2019

The San Diego Seals are an expansion team in the 33-year-old National Lacrosse League (NLL), the world’s only professional box lacrosse league. The league ranks third in average attendance for professional indoor sports worldwide, behind the NBA and NHL.

The San Diego Seals are hosting their first Networking & Chamber Night on Saturday, December 14th at 7:00 pm before taking on Toronto at the Pechanga Arena.

Come and join local Chambers from around San Diego prior to the game to connect and network in the Stella Lounge, then watch the seals take on the Toronto Rock at the Pechanga Arena!

Tickets include access to the Stella Lounge to network, a $5 food voucher, and entry to the game at a discounted rate. You can purchase your tickets at http://go.sealslax.com/SDchamber.

For any questions or more information contact Stefani Polonia, Senior Account Executive, at (619) 375-3755 ext.107 or at Stefani.Polonia@sealslax.com or Kylie Dick at (619) 375-3755 ext. 115 Kylie.Dick@sealslax.com

For more information on the Seals and to see our schedule, please visit www.sealslax.com.

GetGlobal: Thrive in Foreign Markets Conference

Sponsored

October 16, 2019

The San Diego Regional Chamber is a partner at this year’s GetGlobal: Thrive in Foreign Markets conference, which takes place November 6-7 in Long Beach.

The GetGlobal conference is the largest summit in North America focused exclusively on international business strategy, cross-border expansion, and key foreign market dynamics.  It convenes prominent executives, leading experts, and senior government officials to illuminate the evolving frontiers of global commerce as well as the opportunities and challenges companies face as they operate, expand and maximize value across borders.

This year’s event has a special focus on USMCA.

More information and RSVP details are available here.  San Diego Regional Chamber members can purchase a specially-discounted ticket using promo code “SDCHAMBER150”.

Chamber VP Paola Avila Joins “The Future of San Diego’s Binational Economy” Panel

InternationalPolicy

October 15, 2019

Chamber VP, Paola Avila joined an all-female panel speaking on “The Future of San Diego’s Binational Economy” before an audience comprised of Federal Reserve Bank Directors and staff members of both the San Francisco head office board and the Los Angeles branch.  The Federal Reserve Bank was in town for a joint meeting of the two boards and included a luncheon last week where several Chamber members had the opportunity to hear from Mary C. Daly the 13th President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

We want to thank Robert Gleason, who aside from his role as President and CEO of Evans Hotels, serves on the Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank Los Angeles Branch Board of Directors, and made the visit to San Diego a reality.

The evening panel discussion was moderated by Melissa Floca with the Center for U.S. – Mexican Studies at UCSD and featured:

  • Kerri Kapich, Chief Operating Officer, San Diego Tourism Authority
  • Nikia Clark, Executive Director, World Trade Center San Diego and Vice President, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation
  • Maritza Diaz, Founder, iTijuana
  • Paola Avila, Vice President of International Business Affairs, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

Connecting the Dots: Finding Government Funding for Your Organization

NewsPolicy

October 14, 2019

The City of San Diego’s International Affairs Board invites you to it’s upcoming “Connecting the Dots: Finding Government Funding for Your Organization” workshop, which looks to bring together non-profits and community organizations to learn about available government resources and how to secure the funding needed to expand and continue to enhance our local community. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 30 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at City Hall (202 C Street, San Diego, 92101). For more details, and to register, please click here.

Join Us for Next Month’s International Tribute Luncheon!

EventEventsInternationalPolicy

October 14, 2019

The Chamber’s annual International Tribute Luncheon provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals and businesses that have made a significant impact in the binational efforts bridging U.S. and Mexican economies. Previous awardees include Mexican Ambassador Marcela Celorio for Binational Leader of the Year; Mexican Customs (Servicio de Administración Tributaria) & U.S. Customs and Border Protection for Cross-Border Collaboration; and Cross Border Xpress (CBX) for the Change Maker Award.

Register for International Tribute Luncheon, which will take place Thursday, November 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Omni San Diego Hotel.

Cross-Border Business Forum – Trends and Investment Opportunities for Mixed-Use Developments

EventEventsInternationalPolicy

October 14, 2019

Cities around the world, including those in our binational region, are seeing a resurgence of mixed-use developments. Before the arrival of cars and highways, most developments concentrated in urban areas where residents walked from home to work or school, but then trends changed and people headed for the suburbs. Nowadays, mixed-use developments are popular again, blending business, retail, and residential spaces and allowing residents, tenants, and visitors to coexist in a pedestrian-friendly environment. While mixed-use development is not new, it is a constantly-evolving sector adapting to meet the needs of our communities.

Join us on Wednesday, October 30, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Club de Empresarios in Tijuana for this month’s Cross-Border Business Forum. Our panel of experts will share insight on their experience as investors and developers and answer some key questions such as: What are the investment and/or partnership opportunities in mixed-use development in Baja California? And, what is the future of mixed-use development and what opportunities will it bring to our Cali-Baja regional economy?

Cross-Border Forum Panelists

 

Chamber V.P. Joins Newsom Administration’s First International Delegation

InternationalPolicy

October 14, 2019

click to view full-size image

Chamber Vice President Paola Avila took part in California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis’ delegation trip to Mexico City last week. This was the first delegation to another country under the Newsom administration, which delivered a clear message of strengthening California’s relationship with Mexico.

The delegation met with various federal government agencies including Foreign Affairs, Commerce, and Agriculture. During the visit, the Lt. Governor announced the opening of a Trade and Services Desk in Mexico which will work to expand partnerships in cooperation, trade, and investment, laying the foundation for the Newsom Administration to build robust, ongoing engagement. The newly opened Trade and Services desk is in part a result of significant efforts made by the Chamber’s Policy Team. The Chamber has previously sponsored bills to support the establishment of a CA-MX trade office, including SB 357 (2017) and SB 928 (2014).

Several agreements were signed between California and Mexico during the trip:

  • Agreement on Sustainable Agriculture- Aims to strengthen productivity and competitiveness of products in new markets, promote the exchange of information on climate change adaptation, and partner on food safety and agricultural workforce development. This agreement was signed by the Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRICULTURA, formerly SAGARPA) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  • Agreement to Expand Relations in Trade, Investment, Energy, and Environmental Policy– Will expand economic and investment cooperation between California and Mexico in the digital economy and creative industries; alternative and renewable energy; environmental, agriculture, and clean related clean technologies; micro, small and medium enterprises; and workforce development. This agreement was signed by the State of California and Mexico’s Ministry of Economy (SE). You can read the full agreement online
  • Agreement on Clean Energy– Includes provisions that expand collaboration in energy efficiency codes and standards, enhanced use of data for energy efficiency, environmental and energy policy development and planning, and cross-border optimization of the electricity grid. This agreement was signed between Mexico City, including the Office of the Secretary of the Environment, and the State of California.

Chamber Members Tour SDG&E’s Lithium Ion Battery Storage Facility

Policy

October 14, 2019

Member businesses had the opportunity to tour San Diego Gas & Electric’s lithium-ion battery storage facility located in Escondido. Energy storage technology aids in getting renewable energy to customers and helps the region achieve its climate action plan goals while advancing a clean energy economy.

Updated Split Roll Property Tax Initiative Headed for Ballot in 2020

Policy

October 14, 2019

The latest version of the Schools and Communities First initiative has been made public after proponents decided to pull their original proposition in favor of amending and requalifying it for the ballot, representing a significant cost in doing so. Also known as “split roll”, this initiative would untether commercial properties from Proposition 13 protections with the goal of raising some $8 billion annually (as estimated by the Legislative Analyst’s Office) to go toward schools and local governments.

The Chamber has had a longstanding position in opposition to split roll, as California already boasts the highest tax rates in many categories which all impact the ability of private-sector employers to locate in California and to grow here. To that end, Chamber staff spoke at a recent information hearing hosted by the Board of Equalization and asked for pragmatism when reviewing proposals to increase the tax burden.

Newly Elected Baja Mayors Sworn In

InternationalPolicy

October 14, 2019

Earlier this year, Baja California citizens elected a new governor, five local mayors, and 25 state representatives. On September 30, the five new mayors were sworn into office, they are:

Governor-elect Jaime Bonilla will take office on November 1st.

The Chamber Board of Directors includes a trustee seat for the State of Baja California and City of Tijuana. We look forward to continued collaboration with the State of Baja and the local municipalities to strengthen bilateral relationships.