News & Updates

Member Spotlight: NewSchool of Architecture & Design

newschool-logoLocated in the heart of San Diego’s innovative design district, NewSchool of Architecture & Design is a globally recognized and awarded design university, well-known for its forward-thinking professors, an inspiring campus community, top industry connections and collaboration opportunities with institutions around the world.

newschool-1Our students are innovative designers who are passionate about pursuing careers in the fields of design, architecture and construction management. Those who attend NewSchool will be provided the foundation and tools necessary to grow and succeed as a designer, beginning on the very first day of class. At NewSchool, our faculty and students have the dedication and drive to achieve great things in their education, local communities and in their careers. Our students have won numerous local, regional and national competitions, including a recent National ADDY advertising Award, a Special Mention from Architizer and a first place award in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Design/Build competition.

newschool-4At NewSchool, and in architecture and design, we believe that in order to be visionary about the way we live, move, and work, that we must provide access to a design culture that includes a complementary mix of local, international and global influences all at the same time. Providing our students and faculty with a diverse learning environment – both in student body and academically through real-life projects with a strong portfolio of partners – provides our students with the opportunity to observe the behaviors that encourage us, as architects and designers, to truly be innovative. In 2015, NewSchool welcomed more than 100 international students from 26 countries including Australia, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the United Kingdom. We also strive to provide students the ability to experience a truly global classroom environment with study abroad programs, cross-location collaborations, flexible online learning and renowned guest lecturers from around the world.

newschool-5NewSchool of Architecture & Design is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission and the Bachelor and Master of Architecture programs are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). As a member of the Laureate International Universities network, a global network of more than 70 campus-based and online universities in 25 countries,  our students are prepared to work in a global and diverse work environment through the school’s collaborations with sister institutions, including Domus Academy, a globally awarded and recognized top design institution in Milan, Italy.

newschool-2To learn more about NewSchool’s cutting edge architecture and design education, and for opportunities to partner with NewSchool, our faculty, students and alumni, please contact: Rachael Lighty at rlighty@newschoolarch.edu

Retaurant Owners Speak Out Against Ban on Take-Out Containers

On behalf of local restaurants in Encinitas, the Chamber spoke in opposition of the proposed foam take-out containers ban at a press conference held by the California Restaurant Association San Diego Chapter (CRA).

After careful consideration of the proposed legislation’s impact on family-owned restaurants and small businesses, the Chamber instead supports a more comprehensive recycling program that will quantifiably reduce waste and bring San Diego County closer to achieving its zero waste goals.

We believe the best way to move forward is to unite stakeholders to develop a policy which does not penalize small local businesses but – instead – benefits everyone. The Chamber encourages the Council to postpone their hearing on November 9 and sit down with the coalition to support an alternative approach, such as Renew Encinitas.

Related information:

Chamber Members Scripps and SIMNSA Build Binational Hospital

Chamber members, Scripps Health and SIMNSA have collaborated to establish a $120 million binational hospital to transform and meet the health care needs of the regional community while keeping Tijuana as the Medical tourism capital of the world.

From The San Diego Union-Tribune:

The large investment represents an attempt to deliver more cohesive care for SIMNSA’s 100,00 beneficiaries, who often have to travel to multiple hospitals throughout Tijuana to get the services they need, said Frank Carrillo, the company’s president.

[Arturo Vargas Bustamente, associate professor at UCLA’s Department of Health Policy] said the SIMNSA-Scripps hospital venture is an early indication of the burgeoning trend of health care investment in Baja California…

Read the full story here.

Chamber Supports Women to Power Business Conference

On November 3, Chamber Vice President, Paola Avila moderated a panel for the Connecting Women to Power Business Conference, which was hosted by Diane Harkey, Vice Chair of the California State Board of Equalization.

The event brought together established entrepreneurs and leaders from major corporations, government agencies and key organizations to share ways of positioning women business owners to better compete in today’s global marketplace. Women entrepreneurs at the event were also able to form key alliances and affiliations, while getting the latest information on industry trends and discovering how to propel their business.

Topics for the conference included: finance options and tax tips, desk yoga, how to conduct business with fortune 500 companies, and strategies to improve negotiation skills.

RECAP: Cross-Border Business Forum in Tijuana

On October 26, the Chamber brought over 50 business representatives to Tijuana for its second Cross-Border Business Forum. The event was held at Club de Empresarios Tijuana, the city’s most exclusive meeting venue for high-profile entrepreneurs in Baja California.

The meeting opened with a panel discussion, which included cross-border business experts:

  • Erik Caldwell, Director of Economic Development, City of San Diego
  • Paola Avila, VP of International Business Affairs & Leadership Development, San Diego Regional Chamber
  • Kenn Morris, President & CEO, Crossborder Group, XBorder Americas LLC, and
  • Alfonso Gonzalez, Partner, CIR Law Offices International.

The panel experts reviewed current data on cross-border commerce (including workforce demographics, infrastructure, and border wait times) and the actions their respective organizations were taking in order to promote economic development across the border.

After the panel introduction, Forum attendees were invited to ask questions and discuss issues concerning cross-border commerce. Many topics were addressed, but the conversation centered on four major themes:

  • Binational education, workforce development and promotion of STEM education in Baja
  • Border infrastructure and wait times, including: advocacy from the private sector, public/private partnerships (such as the Cross Border Xpress), and strategies to enhance border innovation
  • VISAS and immigration reform
  • Growth opportunities in the region

The next Cross-Border Business Forum will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the San Diego Regional Chamber.

For photos of the event, visit our album on Facebook.

Member Spotlight: Brigante Private Label

brigante-private-label-logo-01These days it’s all about craft. The modern consumer is tired of the big brands and is looking for something new. Whatever the size of your business now you can bring an air of sophistication to your menu that was previously only available to elite institutions. As an exclusive producer of private label wines, Brigante Private Label can help you create a customer experience that’s as unique as it is gratifying.

crepes-and-corks-cabernet-01-02Brigante Private Label addresses the needs of restaurants and retailers that are tired of navigating the ever-expanding wine industry to identify brands and labels that set them apart from the competition. Why spend precious time and resources trying to hit a moving target instead of investing in your own brand?

Brigante Private Label produces exquisite California wines sold exclusively under private label programs, to bring small-batch craft wine to the menus of restaurants large and small. Bringing wine directly from the winery to the retailer eliminates marketing and distribution costs with no sacrifice of quality. We will help you bring world-class wine to your menu, improve your margins, and invest in yourself.

Unlike other wineries that do private label programs as an afterthought, using odd-lot wines that they don’t want to put their own name on, private label wine is the core of our business. Our priority is producing the best wine possible regardless of whose name is on the bottle.

saiko-sushi_chardonnay-05-1Our turnkey program will allow you to sell premium California wines at competitive prices under your own private label. We take care of everything from the legal filings, label design, and delivery to make the process completely straightforward and simple.

Through our program you’ll bring new meaning to the term “house wine” by offering your customers better wine at the same prices. You’ll increase customer satisfaction and loyalty while improving margins. All without any upfront investment and with very low case minimums. Simply buy wine as you do now, but buy better wine under your own custom label.

San Diego Considers Short-Term Rentals

The Chamber was present for a special hearing at the San Diego City Council regarding significant regulation of short term rentals, including popular companies such as Airbnb and HomeAway. Representatives from the Chamber staff testified, asking that any motion impacting innovation and business in San Diego be vetted, discussed and properly considered before being applied.

The City Council requested the Mayor’s office to research the cost of staff to regulate and oversee short-term rentals in the city and return it to Council.

Related information:

2017 Breeders’ Cup Comes to San Diego

Aaaaaand away they go!!!!

Those are the words everyone will be waiting for when San Diego hosts the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at the legendary Del Mar Racetrack on Nov. 3-4, 2017. This two-day, $28 million extravaganza attracts the best horses, trainers, and owners from across the globe. It has also become the unofficial end and culmination of the thoroughbred-racing season, often with the Breeders’ Cup Classic being the deciding factor in Horse of the Year.

San Diego will benefit from all that the Breeders’ Cup brings with it:

  • Over $65 million in local economic impact
  • Expected attendance of nearly 95,000
  • 65 percent of attendees are out of town visitors spending an average of $169 per person per day

art-of-the-horseIn addition to the race itself, the Breeders’ Cup Host Committee is developing the “Breeders’ Cup 2017 Festival”, a week-long celebration from October 28 to November 4. The Festival will entertain guests and the local community and provide opportunities to engage local businesses. As a special part of the Festival, the Breeders’ Cup Host Committee is introducing “Art of the Horse: 2017 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar”.

More Than Just An Art Event

The “Art of the Horse” Exhibit and Auction is a production of the Breeders’ Cup 2017 Host Committee:

  • Partnering with sponsors, artists, merchants, and local communities with the common goal of enriching the 2017 Breeders’ Cup experience
  • Fundraising mechanism benefiting Festival events and other charitable organizations to promote our community
  • Full-scale fiberglass horse sculptures will be decorated by local artists and distributed in highly visible locations throughout the Greater San Diego Area
  • The Sculptures are life-sized artistic reproductions of the Torrie Horse used on the Breeders’ Cup Trophy and will feature artwork and designs specific to the Breeders’ Cup, the Thoroughbred racing community, local San Diego culture or other relevant themes.

There are various opportunities for San Diego businesses to get involved in the “Art of the Horse” and be part of the Breeders’ Cup race action with sponsorships starting at $7,500.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the 2017 Breeders’ Cup, click here.

 

For the full Breeders’ Cup economic impact report, click here

Pure Water Moves Forward at San Diego City Council

On October 25, the San Diego City Council approved an accelerated timeline and full environmental analysis of the Pure Water municipal water recycling program. The Chamber remains extremely supportive of Pure Water, which will make essential strides in ensuring our region has a safe and reliable drinking supply during uncertain drought conditions.

By 2035, three water recycling facilities will be built, producing around one-third of the City’s drinkable water. The Chamber testified in support of the program’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) which was considered at the Council meeting. We were joined by Coastkeeper, Coast Law Group, and other groups in support of the project. The Council’s vote to support Pure Water’s EIR was unanimous, and is expected to produce 30 million gallons a day of recycled water by 2021.

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Vote! Vote! Vote!

voteWith Election Day just two Tuesdays away, now’s the time to ensure you have the necessary tools to make your voice heard.

To simplify this process, the Chamber has launched a new webpage to help you find all the voting related information you’ll need to cast your vote November 8. Check your registration status, find your polling place, and make your voice heard!

Get started now by visiting www.sdchamber.org/vote.