March 20, 2024

Calling all entrepreneurs and small business owners! The Chamber is launching the first of it’s kind Small Business Resilience Workshop as part of our Small Business Series. Mark your calendars on May 2nd as we discuss programs & initiatives for employers with local leaders.

REGISTRATION

To register, click here.  You will receive the meeting link and calendar invite upon registration.

ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESS RESILIENCE WORKSHOPS

The Small Business Resilience Workshops are part of the Chamber’s Small Business Series, designed to empower small businesses with the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s ever-changing landscape. This interactive workshop will feature local, state, and federal experts who will provide invaluable insights and guidance on a variety of topics aimed at enhancing the resilience and success of small businesses.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: May 2nd, 2024
Time: 8:00am – 9:00 am

Location:
Zoom

Contact Details:

Jimena Villaseñor

Email: jvillasenor@sdchamber.org

October 19, 2023

Global Trends on Trade for 2024

Our region’s strategic geographic location has made our region a multicultural city and hub for trade. The cities of San Diego and Tijuana have not only created the largest metropolitan area along the U.S.-Mexico border, but has also fostered an ideal business-friendly environment by taking advantage of trade agreements like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Foreign Trade Zones, and other regional programs that aim to enhance our global competitiveness. In addition, our region’s two major seaports leverage our location on Latin American and Asian markets, while having the ability to accommodate large ships and provide services that complement our neighboring Mega Ports without engaging in direct competition.

It’s not a surprise that cleaner and more sustainable energy choices are being prioritized and our region has engaged on new trade practices in a world focused on environmental responsibility. This includes adapting to the State of California’s measures to mandate medium and heavy-duty fleets to transition to zero-emission vehicles and shift away from fossil fuels and rely more on renewable energy sources. Our region has also witnessed an increase of businesses relocating or expanding manufacturing and supply chain operations in Mexico because it offers a balance between cost efficiency, proximity to the U.S. market, and access to a skilled workforce. 

As we embark on a new year, the global trade landscape is evolving rapidly, influenced by factors such as technology, geopolitics, sustainability, and market dynamics. Join us on Thursday, November 30 for a conversation in partnership with World Trade Center San Diego, on an economic outlook of the year ahead, the forces that will shape international trade, and how our region can be a leader in policy development to resolve challenges in trade. Speakers will also share an overview on political priorities of trade policy to foster innovation, job creation, and supply chains. 

REGISTRATION

To register, click here. You will receive the meeting link and calendar invite upon registration.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS FORUMS

Through the International Business Affairs Forums, the Chamber provides business leaders with the essential knowledge and resources needed to thrive within the binational marketplace. Attendees also have the opportunity to build and strengthen new relationships, exchange ideas, and debate policies that are relevant to the Cali-Baja business community. Meetings are held quarterly in a virtual setting.

Registration is open to the public, especially Chamber members. If you are not a Chamber member, please contact Joshua Peters, Membership Benefits Coordinator, at jpeters@sdchamber.org to discuss membership opportunities.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: November 30, 2023
Time: 10:00am – 11:00 am

Location:
Zoom

Contact Details:

Jimena Villaseñor

Phone: 619-544-1316
Email: jvillasenor@sdchamber.org

October 3, 2022

Binational Creative Industries Driving the Economy Forward

In the San Diego-Tijuana region, geography and proximity have created complementary characteristics and shared assets in the economy. The region’s Creative Economy has laid a foundation for one-of-a-kind services, opportunities, products, and strengths resulting in further stimulation for innovation in today’s global marketplace. Before the pandemic, the Cali-Baja creative economy had a total annual economic impact in San Diego of $11.1 billion. Investments in cultural infrastructures-such as funding arts and culture programs- have historically been prioritized to enhance tourism in the region.

As a result, San Diego-Tijuana’s design-driven, innovative culture and economy has been granted the bid as the first binational World Design Capital in WDO history. Not only will our region be recognized for the close relationship between our two cities, but also for its ability to mobilize human-centered design to address major global problems like climate change and social inequity through engineering, science, art, architecture and more. In addition, our region consists of a hotspot of notable gastronomic experiences and an internationally renowned brewing scene allowing for partnerships including the opening of the first independent American brewery with a tasting room and full-time brewing operations in Mexico.

Join us on November 17 for a conversation on regional strategies to create more diverse and resilient creative and cultural sectors. Speakers will also share an overview of our region’s most recent designation: World Design Capital 2024 and its exciting programme that will showcase San Diego-Tijuana in a new light and emphasize the ways design can connect us. 

About the International Business Affairs Forums

Through the International Business Affairs Forums, the Chamber provides business leaders with the essential knowledge and resources needed to thrive within the binational marketplace. Attendees also have the opportunity to build and strengthen new relationships, exchange ideas, and debate policies that are relevant to the Cali-Baja business community. Meetings are held monthly, at the San Diego Regional Chamber office or in Tijuana

Registration is open to Chamber members and business and community leaders in our region. If you are not a Chamber member, please contact Joshua Peters, Membership Benefits Coordinator, at jpeters@sdchamber.org to discuss membership opportunities and attending as a guest.

Event Details

Date: November 17, 2022
Time: 10:00am – 11:00 am

Location:
Online

Contact Details:
Jimena Villaseñor
Phone: 619-544-1361
Email: jvillasenor@sdchamber.org

REGISTER

April 20, 2022

A Conversation on Enhancing SME International Trade

Did you know that SMEs represent 98% of San Diego businesses? An SME, or small to medium enterprise, is a business with fewer than 100 employees that currently employ 59% of our city’s workforce. Some of the top SME industries include professional, scientific, and technical services; finance, real estate, and insurance, and of course, retail. In fact, 27% of the region’s workforce are in businesses with fewer than 20 employees. SMEs are projected to be the primary driver of regional economic growth, but often lack the resources and support of their larger counterparts.

The pandemic highlighted San Diego’s global interdependence, impacting a variety of industries and resulting in tremendous job losses. Access to customers and markets is key for any firm’s long term resilience, yet the multiple challenges of digital acceleration and interrupted supply chains hit SMEs hardest. In response, regionalizing production closer to consumer markets has become an option to attract new customers and increase sales. By supporting the internationalization of SMEs, firms now have the opportunity to become more resilient and employ more people, creating more quality jobs for San Diegans.

Join us on May 25 to support national projects and initiatives that enhance international trade for SMEs, such as the U.S. Department of State’s tools and resources; learn about its Office of Commercial Business Affairs; and discuss the agency’s role in helping SMEs export. We will be hearing from Dilawar Syed, Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs at the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. He will also share a high level overview of the Ninth Summit of the Americas that will take place in June 2022 in Los Angeles, California, that brings leaders together from the countries of North, South, and Central America, and the Caribbean to promote cooperation towards region-wide, inclusive economic growth and prosperity.

About the International Business Affairs Forums

Through the International Business Affairs Forums, the Chamber provides business leaders with the essential knowledge and resources needed to thrive within the binational marketplace. Attendees also have the opportunity to build and strengthen new relationships, exchange ideas, and debate policies that are relevant to the Cali-Baja business community. Meetings are held monthly, at the San Diego Regional Chamber office or in Tijuana

Registration is open to Chamber members only. If you are not a Chamber member, please contact Joshua Peters, Membership Benefits Coordinator, at jpeters@sdchamber.org to discuss membership opportunities and attending as a guest.

Event Details

Date: April 25, 2022
Time: 10:00am – 11:30 am

Location:
Zoom

Contact Details:
Kenia Zamarripa
Phone: 619-544-1316
Email: kzamarripa@sdchamber.org

REGISTER

Sponsors

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February 15, 2022

On January 1, the California Privacy Rights Act went into effect, which provides new requirements for how businesses disclose and maintain employees’ data and personal information. If you are an employer with California residents working for you, you’ll want to be here to learn about the policies and procedures that will keep you in compliance and out of court.

Register Now

Featured Speaker:

Jenn Shaw | Shaw Law Group

Jennifer Shaw is the founder of Shaw Law Group, and a 2019 recipient of the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” award.

A well-respected expert in employment law for more than 25 years, employers regularly rely on Jennifer to counsel them on a broad range of employment law issues. Jennifer’s practical advice covers subjects such as wage-hour compliance, anti-discrimination and harassment policies and procedures, reasonable accommodation/leave of absence issues, and hiring/separation processes. She is a trusted advisor to in-house counsel, HR professionals, and leadership across a broad spectrum of public-sector and private-sector employers.

Jennifer, a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators, has considerable expertise in conducting neutral investigations. Other attorneys and employers frequently engage her to assist with challenging and high-profile matters. Jennifer also teaches HR professionals how to conduct effective internal investigations. 

Widely recognized for developing and conducting innovative, effective training for executives, management, and non-supervisory employees, Jennifer uses case studies, audience participation, and storytelling to bring employment law to life. Through private, on-site sessions, open public sessions, and webinars, she trains thousands of people each year. She also trains and coaches senior executives on an individual basis.

Register Now

February 15, 2022

Want to learn about lactation policies and best practices for small businesses? Curious how other businesses have implemented innovative lactation programs to create comfortable environments for their employees? Join us to hear from lactation policy expert Lisa Bandong, MPH about resources your business can use to establish effective lactation policies in the workplace.

Our webinar will have two components: the first covering workplace lactation policies, and the second covering a new mini-grant program in partnership between the County of San Diego and the Regional Chamber. This mini-grant will provide $5k for up to 12 business-supporting organizations (i.e. chambers, business improvement districts, etc.) to promote opportunities and tools for the businesses they serve. To learn about this program, we encourage you to join in on the webinar to ask questions so you’re ready to apply for this partnership!

Register Now

Featured Speaker:

Lisa Bandong

Lisa Bandong, MPH is a Lactation Policy and Program Strategist for the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency. She has a depth of knowledge on lactation policy creation and implementation for businesses, specifically the creation of lactation-supportive environments. Lisa earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from Cal State Fullerton. Before joining the County of San Diego, Lisa was the Founder and Executive Director of the City of San Marcos’ Prenatal Yoga Program, which served over 200 women and families. Lisa is also a Public Health Lecturer at Cal State San Marcos, where she teaches graduate-level courses about health systems and social and behavioral determinants of health. In addition to lactation policy, Lisa has research experience relating to maternal and child health.

Register Now

February 15, 2022

Register Now

2024 is just a stone’s throw away – are you prepared for what’s coming?

Scaling your business isn’t just about expansion; it’s about gaining control over your time, achieving an exceptional work-life balance, maintaining robust cash flow, and establishing a dependable sales and marketing engine. All of this while implementing tech-enabled guardrails to ensure you and your team are paddling in the same direction.

But the big question is… Are you ready to dive in and take action?

Then join us for another exciting webinar on “Scaling: Building Systems to Accelerate Your Growth” this December 12th at 1:30p – 2:30p PT.

This webinar will fully engage you in the mindset of scaling and guide you as you collaborate with peers to identify what truly matters in your journey to take your business to the next level.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover your growth levers and how to leverage them.
• Create a roadmap to develop scalable systems.
• Learn a methodology to share with your team, empowering them to contribute to your organization’s expansion.

Featured Speaker:

Michele Phillips

Michele Phillips and Angi Semler Welch are Business Advisors with Cultivate Advisors. They partner with entrepreneurs and founders to fully define their vision and roadmap their success.

Michele is a strategic, entrepreneurial sales and operational leader with 20+ years of experience. She has been successful in both the large corporate world and as the owner of an award-winning, profitable, customer-facing business with 25+ employees. 

Register Now

February 15, 2022

Zoom Link

Is your business ready to #trend in 2024? Join us for an interactive training to make your business a social sensation online! Today, having a strong online presence is paramount for businesses (of any size), as it not only enhances visibility but also fosters brand credibility, enabling organizations to connect with a larger audience and thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Learn the art of creating compelling content, engaging with, and growing your audience, and leveraging the power of social media platforms to amplify your business and brand. Devon will guide you through the basics and dive into emerging trends that will make your business shine.

Featured Speaker: Devon Anderson, Business Owner, Sage Organic Marketing LLC

Devon Anderson founded Sage Organic Marketing in 2021 with a mission to help businesses, regardless of their size or age, reach their ideal audience through affordable quality services. With expertise in marketing and business management, she’s been assisting clients in scaling their businesses through social media and digital marketing.

Zoom Link