Southwestern College's Career Center hosted a showcase at its main campus on March 17th as a way for students to learn about career opportunities in two of San Diego's growing industry sectors - Global Trade and Advanced Transportation. The showcase featured a panel discussion, moderated by Victor Castillo, San Diego CITD Director and Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) for Global Trade & Logistics - San Diego and Imperial, that included representatives from both industry and education who discussed career opportunities and trends, as well as sector-focused educational programs offered at the community college and university level. 

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A new trade and investment initiative called "Go Global San Diego" was launched on March 11th at an event hosted by the San Diego Regional EDC and sponsored by JP Morgan Chase. The initiative, developed in collaboration with more than 30 regional partners, including the San Diego Regional EDC, Biocom, City of San Diego, CONNECT, GO-Biz, Port of San Diego, Qualcomm, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego State University,UC San Diego, and the San Diego CITD, intends to grow jobs and enhance the region's global identity by increasing connections to global markets.
 

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As part of the Go Global San Diego initiative, the MetroConnect Prize provides small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the resources they need to take their business to the rest of the world. The prize provides up to $10,000 in matching funds to at least 20 qualifying companies to cover up to 50% of the costs of taking the next steps to going global. This includes accessing specialized export counseling, customized market research, and participating in a trade show or trade mission, among other activities.

The deadline for applications for the MetroConnect Prize is May 4, 2015.

For more information, go to www.metroconnectsd.org.

On April 8th, 2015, the San Diego office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be hosting a workshop for businesses who are seeking growth through global markets or need financing to support international trade endeavors.

If you believe exporting could be part of your growth strategy, this workshop will provide you with the tools and the latest information necessary to succeed. You will learn about the benefits of exporting and the resources available to help you successfully expand into the global market. In addition, you will be informed about SBA international trade financing programs and assistance available through Export-Import Bank and walk away knowing precisely how to leverage these resources.
 

For more information and to register, click here.

Over the last 26 years, the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce has organized what has become the region's premier industrial trade show. Known as MEXPORT, the trade show's goal is to facilitate this cross-border trade by promoting supplier opportunities with major manufacturers in the Southern California/Baja California region. MEXPORT 2014 drew more than 180 exhibitors spanning everything from industrial equipment companies to freight forwarders and customs brokers from both sides of the border, and this year's event, to be held on April 23rd, is expected to draw more than 2,000 attendees. 

Don't miss this opportunity to access the $13 billion supplier's market within the Baja California manufacturing industry. 

For more information, visit the event website at www.mexport.org. 

The U.S. Commercial Service, San Diego CITD, Ex-Im Bank, and California State University San Marcos, will be hosting a Medical Technologies Export Workshop on April 24th, 2015 at the CSU San Marcos campus. The workshop will cover export opportunities for medical-related products in various markets around the world, including supplier opportunities in Mexico.

Workshop attendees will receive a free Healthcare Technologies Resource Guide with profiles of the healthcare industry in 49 countries, the Health IT/eHealth in Europe 2014 Report, a list of healthcare/medical technologies products that buyers in Mexico are looking for, a list of overseas distributors interested in sourcing new products from U.S., and information on financing programs available through Ex-Im Bank.

For more information and to register, click here.

The Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) for Global Trade and Logistics - San Diego & Imperial Region, and Grossmont College's High School/CTE Partnership Program, will be hosting a workshop on April 21st for local high school teachers to determine how global trade and logistics concepts can be incorporated into their current classes.

Teachers participating in the workshop will work with industry professionals to identify where these concepts may intersect with core academic classes. The ultimate goal for this project is to develop lesson modules and case studies with relevant application to Common Core State Standards and increase student awareness of career opportunities in the field of Global Trade.

If you are a high school teacher interested in attending this workshop, click here to RSVP.

The Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry - Tijuana Chapter will be holding its annual International Construction Expo from May 6 - 8, 2015 at the Baja California Center, Tijuana's newest convention and exhibition center. 

The event will include technical conferences in addition to a large exhibition area that will feature all the key players in the industry. This is a great opportunity for U.S.-based construction industry suppliers to make contacts with key decision makers in the Mexican market. 

Entrance to the expo is free for visitors. Companies interested in exhibiting at the event can select from three different exhibition packages to suit their needs. For more information or to register, click here.

To download a U.S. Commercial Service report on top export prospects for building materials and services, click here.