Seven Southern California-based companies participated in the North America Manufacturing Partnership Trade Mission to Baja California, Mexico, organized by the San Diego CITD, U.S. Department of Commerce - San Diego Office, California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC), U.S. - Mexico Chamber of Commerce - California Pacific Chapter, and the Tijuana EDC. The goal of the trade mission, which took place over two days, was to provide participants with an opportunity to tap into the $11 billion suppliers market within Baja California, Mexico's manufacturing industry.

As part of an ongoing effort to advance curriculum alignment for International Business programs with industry needs, the Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) for Global Trade and Logistics, Victor Castillo, convened a meeting with a collaborative of international business faculty from various community colleges in the region, referred to as the Knowledge Community. The purpose of the meeting, which was hosted by San Diego State University's (SDSU) Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), was  to discuss the findings and recommendations of the Global Trade & Logistics Employer Engagement Report and the Labor Market Gap Analysis commissioned by the DSN to identify skills needs and gaps within the industry. The reports indicate that higher wage jobs within the industry typically require a 4-year degree or higher. This led to a discussion of implementing a standardized curriculum across community colleges offering international business programs, to allow students a more convenient transfer to universities and continue a pathway for career advancement.

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The Tijuana Innovadora conference is a biennial international event that was created in 2010 to serve as a platform for promoting the City of Tijuana as an important hub of technology, science and culture. The event is held over 10 days and features panel discussions, workshops, exhibits, and competitions, among other activities. The focus of this installment of Tijuana Innovadora was the Mexican Diaspora, and panel discussions and other activities were centered around this topic.

The San Diego CITD and its host, Southwestern College, shared a booth in the conference's North American Pavillion during the 10 days of the event. The Pavillion was open to the public and included exhibitors from innovative companies and organizations from throughout Canada, U.S., and Mexico.

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The Tijuana EDC and the Secretariat of Economic Development of Tijuana will be hosting an industrial tour that will showcase the region's competitiveness in and help further develop the supply chain of Aerospace an Defense companies in the Cali Baja Mega Region.

The tour will be held on November 12, 2014, a day prior to Baja's 5th International Aerospace Supplier Forum, which showcases supplier opportunities for companies in the Aerospace manufacturing industry.

If you are interested in participating in the tour, register here or email Alejandra Portugal at alejandra@tijuanaedc.org.

Join the San Diego CITD at Baja's 5th International Aerospace Supplier Forum in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico on November 13th and 14th, 2014. 

The Forum brings together Buyers and Suppliers from the aerospace sector from all over the world. The Forum will provide attendees with an overview of current and future opportunities within Baja California. Attendees will learn how to establish an effective, efficient and price competitive presence in the world of the aerospace industry.

What the Forum offers you:

• Strategic business meetings
• Networking events
• Exhibitor halls
• Panel discussions on the business opportunities in the Baja Region
• Up to date Conferences on key topics from world leaders in this sector

For more information and to register, click here.

Baja California has over 60 Medical Device companies, which represent 50% of all companies within Mexico that manufacture and assemble parts and components for this industry. Most of these companies are located in the cities of Tijuana, Tecate and Mexicali, with immediate access to California and North America. The medical device cluster in Baja California purchases over $1.5 billion annually of materials, products, and services. This represents a huge opportunity for suppliers in the Baja California - Southern California region.

MedSummit features exhibits, panel discussions, workshops, and B2B meetings with high-level executives from the medical device manufacturing cluster in Baja California. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about supplier opportunities and develop key contacts within this industry.

For more information, go to www.medsummit.net

You are cordially invited to attend the ICEED 2014 Annual Conference, which will feature presentations from distinguished educators from higher educational institutions from Canada, Mexico, and the United States as well as professionals from the private sector. Industry leaders from different sectors will provide the latest
information on workforce needs, trends and
opportunities.

Global industry leaders such as Kia Motors America, Chevrolet Motors, BMW, Kaiser Permanente, St. Joseph, UPS, DHL Global Forwarding, Southwest Airlines, Port of Los Angeles and others that will provide the latest information that will help to build the workforce of the future. 

For more information and to register, visit http://www.iceed.com/

The San Diego Center for International Trade Development (CITD) assists small and medium-sized enterprises expand internationally by providing low and no-cost programs and services including, one-on-one technical assistance and consulting, market research, training and educational programs, trade leads and special events.

International trade counseling is available by appointment at the following San Diego CITD Locations: