San Diego CITD Update
March 2016
In This Edition
SBA and San Diego CITD Host Exporting Workshop
The San Diego CITD, in conjunction with the San Diego District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA), hosted a workshop aimed at existing business owners looking to export their products or services. The "Your Roadmap to Exporting" workshop-presented by CITD Director Victor Castillo-provided participants with a step-by-step guide for how to export, including how to conduct an export assessment, how to do international market research, find buyers, create and export plan, and sources of financing, among other matters.

In addition to the learning the nuts and bolts of exporting from Mr. Castillo, workshop participants also learned about small business assistance programs and resources from Cynthia Harris, Economic Development Specialist with the San Diego District Office of the SBA. 

CITD Participates in Mexicali Supply Expo 2016
The Mexicali Supply Expo was born with the mission to strengthen and support the supply chain at a local, regional, national and international level for industrial sectors in the City of Mexicali. February 25th 2016 marked the 6th edition of Mexicali Supply Expo. The event began promptly at 8:30AM with an opening ceremony that included local Mexicali Government Officials like ProMexico's Northwest Region General Coordinator Gilberto Macias, Baja California Ministry of Economic Development Promotion Director Roberto Durazo, National Chamber of Industry Transformation Mexicali Chapter Secretary Mr. José Eugenio Lagarde and U.S. Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Timothy Kelley to name a few.

Among the many exhibitors, six were buyer companies who were there to exhibit products manufactured and assembled in their plants and what they require in raw materials and service from suppliers. The San Diego CITD helped to organize a California Pavilion within the expo where CITD clients were able to have their product and service offerings on display. CITD partner agencies including the U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Export - Import Bank, San Diego and Imperial Valley District Export Council and the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation were also part of the pavilion. In addition to the pavilion, the CITD helped to arrange meetings with potential customers for its clients in attendance.

Financing Your Exports Workshop
 
As part of a series of export-focused training events, the San Diego CITD and the San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration will be hosting a workshop on how to leverage financing options to help businesses grow their exports. 

When: March 17th, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Where: PLNU - Mission Valley Campus
            4007 Camino del Rio South, Room 206
            San Diego, CA 92108

Cost: $15 (refreshments included)

For more information and to register, click here.
Contracting Connections Speed Partnering Event
Join our partners, the San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center (SDCOC), for their first annual Contracting Connections Speed Partnering Event. This event will feature one-on-one sessions that connect small businesses with federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as large prime contractors.
 
Registered small businesses will be matched up with potential customers in the government market that are a fit for the products and/or services they sell.

SDCOC is a small business resource program that has assisted San Diego based small businesses in winning over $925 million in government contracts.

For more information, including a list of participating agencies and primes, go to http://www.contractingconnections.org/

Save the Date: MEXPORT 2016

MEXPORT, organized by the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, is the region's premier industrial trade show promoting trade and business opportunities in the Southern California/Baja California region. MEXPORT, held this year on April 21st, 2016, will allow you to access the $11 Billion supplier's market in Baja California's manufacturing industry.

For more information and up-to-date news on MEXPORT, click here.

Think Global in All Careers - Global Trade and Logistics Professional Development Workshop

The Deputy Sector Navigator for Global Trade & Logistics, San Diego CITD, and the SB1070 Career Technical Education Pathways Program will be hosting a professional development workshop for high school teachers in the region on how to incorporate global trade and logistics concepts in core academic subject areas. During the workshop, teachers will be taken to the MEXPORT trade show so they can experience trade in action. In addition, they will learn about newly created Global Trade & Logistics curriculum modules and resources that they can incorporate in their classrooms to contextualize their students' learning.

For more information about the event and teacher resources for Global Trade and Logistics, go to 
http://www.careeracademics.org/global-trade--logistics.html


Connect With Us

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

View our profile on LinkedIn

View our videos on YouTube
Upcoming Events







About the CITD

Expand your business through International Trade! 

 

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:

 

Chula Vista

Southwestern College

900 Otay Lakes Road
Building 660

Chula Vista, CA 91910

 

Otay Mesa

SWC Higher Education Center Otay Mesa

8100 Gigantic Street
Building 4500
San Diego, CA 92154

 

National City
National City
Chamber of Commerce
901 National City Blvd.
National City, CA 91950  

 

Mission Valley

San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center 

4007 Camino del Rio South
Room 210
San Diego, CA 92108

 

East County

East County EDC

1908 Friendship Drive
Suite A

El Cajon, CA 92020

 

For appointments, call
(619) 482-6393 or visit


E-Award
The CITD initiative was awarded the prestigious Presidential "E" Award for its significant contribution to helping expand export trade.
Deputy Sector Navigator for Global Trade & Logistics



Part of the California Community Colleges "Doing What Matters for Jobs and the Econony" initiative, the DSN for Global Trade & Logistics is focused on aligning curriculum and training programs in International Business and Logistics, across the community colleges in the San Diego & Imperial Counties region, to meet industry needs and help students develop successful career paths in high-growth, high-wage industries.
 
Visit the DSN website for information on international business-related programs, resources, and tools for students, employers, faculty, and workers.
CalSTEP Border Export Program

Want to increase your sales by supplying to major international manufacturers?

 

Our CalSTEP Border Export Program can help match you with manufacturers looking for your products and services.
 
Border Export Program  

California STEP, funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, facilitates export promotion activities, serving targeted industries to drive exports for small business.


Are you ready to pursue and win government contracts? If so, the San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center(SDCOC), also known as the San Diego PTAC, is a resource partner of the San Diego CITD and is here to assist you. SDCOC's mission is to assist San Diego county small businesses with the information, resources, and technical assistance they need to effectively compete for and perform on federal, state, and local government contracts.  For more than 20 years, the SDCOC has provided San Diego area small businesses with FREE one-on-one mentoring, training, and bid locating services.  These valuable services have assisted San Diego small businesses in winning over $875 million in contract awards.    
 
If you are interested in becoming a client of the SDCOC, please complete their online application located at www.ptac-sandiego.org/application.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to visit their website for more information at  www.ptac-sandiego.org or call 619-285-7020. 


Partners







CASTEP

USCS
Reference in this newsletter to any specific commercial products, brand names, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the San Diego CITD, or its officers, employees or agents. 

San Diego CITD | www.sandiegocitd.org