San Diego CITD Update
June 2016
In This Edition
The San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration held its annual Small Business Awards Luncheon at the Wyndham San Diego Bayside Hotel on May 5th. The purpose of the event, which is held during National Small Business Week, is to celebrate and recognize successful local small businesses and small business advocates. 

Awards are given in various categories including Women-owned Small Business, Veteran-owned Small Business, Financial Services Champion of the Year, and Exporter of the Year, among others. This year's Exporter of the Year recognition was awarded to CITD client, Applied Membranes, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of reverse osmosis membranes, systems, and components. Applied Membranes, based in Vista, CA, has been in business for over 30 years and currently does business in over 100 countries.
The San Diego CITD played host to a group of high school students and their teachers from CETYS Universidad's High School campus in Mexicali, Mexico. The students, who have all selected business related career and educational paths, were interested in learning more about international trade.

The students arrived at Southwestern College's Higher Education Center in Otay Mesa where they were provided with lunch and heard several presentations on CITD programs and services, as well as overviews of global trade and trade agreements. After welcoming the students, CITD Director, Victor Castillo, presented an overview of the CITD and a brief history of global trade. CITD International Trade Specialist, Monica Rosas, then presented on trade agreements with a focus on NAFTA, which was followed by presentations on entrepreneurship by CITD Business Advisor/Program Coordinator, Gabriel Reyes, and a presentation on some of the educational programs available at Southwestern College, including International Logistics & Transportation, by CITD Project Technician Desiree Dolores. Interns Ysabell Uriarte and Emiliano Valentino from Chula Vista's High Tech High, who are completing a month-long internship at the CITD assisted with the setup of the event venue and participated in the day's activities.

In an effort to promote careers in Global Trade and Logistics, SB1070 Regional Pathways Industry Connections Coordinator (ICC) for Global Trade & Logistics and CITD International Trade Specialist, Monica Rosas presented to Granite Hills High School teacher Kris Erickson's Consumer Math Senior class. 
 
Mr. Erickson's intention with the last few weeks of his class was to focus on careers, skills in demand, and job searching. On May 10th Ms. Rosas, along with industry representative Lynn Hijar, President/CEO of iBiz 24/7- an online business platform- visited  the classroom and presented on what Global Trade and logistics is, the regional labor market, which local colleges and universities offer international studies, and skills needed to work in Global Trade & Logistics. Classroom presentations like these are part of the Deputy Sector Navigator for Global Trade & Logistics' work based learning services. The goal is to create more awareness of rewarding career paths in global trade, which is an important and growing industry sector in the region.
e3 Civic High School is a public charter secondary school in San Diego focused on providing innovative educational options for underserved residents of the city's Downtown area. Ms. Melissa Woods, Internship & Workforce Development Coordinator at e3 Civic High School attended the "Think Global in All Careers" professional development event hosted by the San Diego CITD and Deputy Sector Navigator for Global Trade & Logistics on April 21st, and was compelled to share the information she learned with her colleagues, which led to an invitation for DSN for Global Trade & Logistics (DSN GTL), Victor Castillo, and SB1070 Regional Pathways Program Industry Connections Coordinator, Monica Rosas, to present to her colleagues about the sector and the resources for work based learning that are available to high school students.
 
Approximately 30 of e3 Civic's staff and faculty attended the presentations, including Dr. Cheryl James Ward, Chief of Academic Innovation for the school who thanked Victor and Monica for the visit and encouraged her staff to take advantage of the opportunities available to them. 
 
e3 Civic High School is co-located at the New San Diego Central Library in Downtown and uses an À la Carte Project-Based and Experiential learning model. e3 is WASC accredited and its courses are approved by the University of California system.

The Riverside County Office of Foreign Trade and Riverside County Purchasing Division, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, SBA, and California Inland Empire District Export Council (CIEDEC), hosted the Southern California Procurement, Trade, and Manufacturing Summit at the Riverside Convention Center. The event, which was attended by more than 1,000 business owners and professionals, included an exhibit area and 16 seminars and panel discussions covering topics including, international trade, procurement, manufacturing, and best practices for small businesses.

One of the panel discussions on international trade titled, "Global Opportunities for Aerospace & Defense Manufacturers" included the participation of CITD International Trade Specialist, Monica Rosas, who provided insight on the opportunities in Baja California, Mexico's growing aerospace manufacturing industry.

Southwestern College's School of Business & Technology held its annual advisory meetings for its Business programs on April 29th at its main campus in Chula Vista. Representatives from the business community are invited to participate in the meetings and provide input to improve the school's programs.

This year's advisory meetings for the school's International Business (IB) and International Logistics and Transportation (ILT) programs were facilitated by San Diego CITD Director, Victor Castillo. The CITD helped to develop the ILT program with the college as part of a Title VI grant awarded to the CITD by the U.S. Department of Education. The IB and ILT advisory meetings included the participation of program faculty and industry professionals from the logistics industry.

San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) is committed to providing employment resources to San Diego County employers. As part of SDWP's business services, the organization is happy to announce that SDWP has partnered with the San Diego Employers Association (SDEA) to offer a free HR hotline for San Diego County employers.
 
According to the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) labor market study, Workforce Needs of Small Businesses in San Diego, firms with fewer than 50 employees make up 95 percent of all establishments and account for one-half of the county's workforce. While small businesses drive most of the employment in the region, many do not have the resources to maintain a robust HR department. SDWP's response to this challenge is the provision of an HR hotline for San Diego small business to receive assistance in HR compliance, employment laws, discipline and termination.
 
Please identify yourself as an employer with SDWP when calling the HR hotline at 1 (866) 441-9399. The hotline is active Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please keep in mind that SDEA reserves the right to direct the employer to a fee-for-service line should the call extend beyond 15 minutes.
 
For employers that have not yet worked with SDWP, please contact SDWP's Business Services Team at business@workforce.org or visit workforce.org/employers for more information.

Join the San Diego Center for International Trade Development, the San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Commercial Service for this workshop on how to find foreign buyers for your products and services and tap into supplier opportunities in Baja California, Mexico's growing manufacturing industry.

Presentations at this workshop include:

"Using the Internet to Find Buyers Globally"
"Digital Tools for International Business Opportunities"
"How to Access Mexico's Border Region Manufacturing Supply Chain"
"Export Accelerator Program for Small Businesses"

For more information and to register, click here.


On Tuesday, June 14, 2016 the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce California Regional Chapter, in conjunction with CMTC and Pasero Abogados, S.C. and with the support of the San Diego CITD, will lead a group of companies from Southern California on a tour of maquiladora plants in the aerospace and medical device manufacturing sectors. The tour will also include a meeting with U.S. Consul General in Tijuana, Will Ostick and presentations on the maquiladora program and economic development efforts in Tijuana.

For more information, click here.

Topics covered include:
  • Base Erosion and Profit Sharing (BEPS)
  • Value Added Tax (IVA) Certifications
  • Annex 24 and 31
  • Advanced Pricing Agreement Updates
  • Value Added Tax Refunds
  • Notice for Manufacturers & Exporters
For more information, click here.

If you are an existing business owner interested in selling your products or services in other countries but do not know how exporting works or where to start, this workshop is for you.

At this workshop you will learn:
  • Trade agreements with the U.S.
  • Process for exporting goods and services
  • How to conduct international market research
  • Review of common export documentation
  • U.S. Export Administration Regulations
  • Resources Available to help you grow your business through international trade
For more information and to register, click here.

Don't miss this great opportunity to learn from Customs & Border Protection the latest information on NAFTA Certification, including: Qualifying, Documenting, Claiming & Defending.

For more information and to register, click here.

The High Tech High School system of charter schools in San Diego requires its 11th grade students to complete a month-long internship as a way to explore careers of their interest and give back to the community at the same time. As part of this process, the school sets up an annual Interview Day, during which local companies and organizations have a chance to interview potential interns from the school. During this year's Interview Day, CITD staff members Gabriel Reyes and Monica Rosas had a chance to interview six students each for two available internship slots. Although all the students they interviewed showed great potential, they ultimately selected Ysabell Uriarte and Emiliano Valentino, who did an excellent job in their interviews. 


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.

California STEP

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.

The program provides resources and services to help small businesses participate in foreign trade missions, trade show exhibitions, training workshops, and more. Download the fact sheet below for more information and how to take advantage of these benefits.


CITD Border Export Program

Want to increase your sales by supplying to major international manufacturers?
 
The CITD Border Export Program can help match you with manufacturers looking for your products and services.

Border Export Program

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 with the information, resources, and technical assistance you need to effectively compete for and perform on federal, state, and local government contracts.
 
If you are interested in becoming a client of the SDCOC or for more information, please visit their website 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 | 900 Otay Lakes Road | Building 660 | Chula Vista | CALIFORNIA | 91910