Category: News

WTCSD honored with Presidential Export Award

By World Trade Center San Diego,

EDC’s own World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) was honored today with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service.

Presented by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo at a ceremony in Washington D.C., the “E” Award recognizes WTCSD’s commitment to growth of exports and jobs, especially through MetroConnect and Export SBDC. This is the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“We are so proud to be named among the President’s “E” Award recipients. Whether through our flagship accelerator MetroConnect or the direct counseling we provide to exporters as an SBDC, our team is committed and passionate about supporting the growth of local businesses and showcasing all that San Diego has to offer to the rest of the world. As we often say, our work here is just getting started!” —Lucas Coleman, WTCSD Director

About MetroConnect

Using a cohort-based model, WTCSD’s MetroConnect accelerator equips sets of 15 San Diego companies with the resources and partners to increase international sales. For specialized assistance, the next cohort of MetroConnect VII companies will each be placed into one of three specialized tracks reflecting San Diego’s economic strengths—life sciences, strategic technology, and consumer goods.

In its first six years, MetroConnect has helped 95 local, small and mid-sized businesses generate a net increase of $97 million in international sales, 522 international contracts, and 32 overseas facilities. This international growth has coincided with 319 new hires here in the San Diego region.

Apply now through July 14

More from WTCSD

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – June 2, 2023

By Kyle Winnick,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the p ast week.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of June 2, 2023, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Apply: MetroConnect export accelerator program

Applications are open for WTCSD’s export accelerator MetroConnect VII. The new cohort of 15 businesses will be placed into one of three specialized tracks reflecting San Diego’s economic strengths—life sciences, strategic technology, and consumer goods. Together over the course of the year, the cohort will receive resources and partnerships to increase international sales and support job growth here at home.

Applications close July 14.

Apply Now

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Honoring our 2023 San Diego Life Changing Awardees

By San Diego Regional EDC,

Each year, EDC’s Annual Dinner brings together nearly 900 of the region’s business and community leaders to celebrate our organization and region’s success, and to honor an individual and company whose work has promoted an inclusive and thriving San Diego.

Last night at Petco Park, and together with EDC Board Chair Jennie Brooks and Councilmember Raul Campillo, EDC and JPMorgan Chase & Co. were honored to present the 2023 San Diego Life Changing Awards to these household names, made right here in San Diego:

Taylor Guitars

Founded in El Cajon nearly 50 years ago, Taylor Guitars represents the best of what’s ‘Made in San Diego’—manufacturing some of the world’s best guitars for hobbyists and rock stars alike.

In January 2021, Taylor Guitars became the first reported multi-national company to transfer ownership to all of its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Rather than selling the company to another guitar company or outside investor, founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug felt the best way to position the company for future success was to entrust it to its 1,200-person workforce—domestic and international—who drive Taylor Guitars’ innovative culture, growth, and decades-long success.

For its steadfast commitment to inclusive growth, EDC is proud to recognize Taylor Guitars with one of the 2023 San Diego Life Changing awards presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Garry Ridge

Garry Ridge is well known for his 35 years at the helm of WD-40 Company, but even more so for his philosophy and expertise in cultivating corporate culture. Leaning on Aristotle’s quote, “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work,” Garry has spent his career as a CEO, professor, author, and coach helping leaders create work environments, or ‘tribes,’ where people feel safe, fulfilled, happy, and guided by values.

For his commitment to uplifting and supporting San Diego talent even beyond the walls of local WD-40, EDC is proud to recognize Garry Ridge with one of the 2023 San Diego Life Changing awards presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

To those who could join us to celebrate, thank you. To those who couldn’t, we’ll see you next year!

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 26, 2023

By Kyle Winnick,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the p ast week.

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For the week of May 26, 2023, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

San Diego’s Quarterly Economic Snapshot

Every quarter, EDC analyzes key economic indicators that are important to understanding the economy and the region’s standing relative to the 25 most populous metropolitan areas in the country.

For Q1 2023, we report a decline in net absorption of office space, the strongest job growth in the state, and a drop in median home price.

Read More

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San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 19, 2023

By Kyle Winnick,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the p ast week.

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For the week of May 19, 2023, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Talent Flow Analysis released at the SHIP Regional Visioning event

In early April, EDC and its partners hosted the Shipbuilding Regional Industrialization Pilot (SHIP) Regional Visioning event at UC San Diego Park & Market to present defense talent flow findings and gather diverse industry, education, policy, and civic perspectives on critical priorities for the shipbuilding industrial base.

Read More

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San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 12, 2023

By Kyle Winnick,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the p ast week.

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For the week of May 12, 2023, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Six ways to return to the office by Cultura

EDC sat down with Anne Benge and Annie Cook, executives at design and furnishing company Cultura, to discuss how employers can promote a successful transition back to the office. In working with hundreds of employers, EDC investor Cultura has observed companies with successful Return to Office strategies do six things.

Read more

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San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 5, 2023

By Kyle Winnick,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the p ast week.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 5, 2023, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Last Call: MetroConnect PitchFest & World Trade Week Expo

Next week, May 11, join World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) and 300+ international business professionals from across Southern California for an international trade exhibition and network with top regional exporters, trade offices, and consulates. And don’t miss the MetroConnect VI pitch competition, where finalists from the latest round of our export assistance program will pitch for $25,000 grand prize award.

There is still time to apply to our next MetroConnect cohort! Apply before May 18 here.

Register here

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San Diego’s Good News of the Week – April 28, 2023

By Kyle Winnick,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the p ast week.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of April 28, 2023, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

EDC’s Annual Dinner at Petco Park

EDC’s Annual Dinner is back on Thursday, June 1! We are excited to again gather more than 900 business and community leaders to celebrate our region and organization. Before time on the field and dinner in Gallagher Square, we’ll hear briefly from our Board Chair Jennie Brooks, SVP of Booz Allen Hamilton, and EDC’s President and CEO Mark Cafferty as they share their vision for San Diego’s inclusive economic growth.

Early Bird tickets available through May 5

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Reflections on #SDinDC with the Chamber

By Mark Cafferty,

Last week I traveled back to Washington, D.C. with our partners at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce for their 15th annual #SDinDC trip. The delegation brought more than 160 San Diego political, business, education, and community representatives together in Washington to advance local agendas with our federal leaders and partners.

While there, I had the opportunity to sit down with senior leadership at the Pentagon and Washington Navy Yard, meet with members of our congressional delegation, and host a meeting for local San Diego leaders with our partners at the Brookings Institution. Purposeful and beneficial meetings, all. But it was a short walk that I took from my hotel to the Washington Monument that likely had the greatest impact on me.

About a block from our hotel was the U.S. Department of Commerce. As I walked around the building, I took note of the quotes etched in stone above all of the entrances. They are attributed to Lincoln, Washington, and numerous other American leaders who have all famously shared their thoughts on trade, innovation, and the pillars of a free economy. Yet it was a quote from a more obscure statesman from the mid-1800s that still has me thinking.

One-time diplomat (and Secretary of the Navy) from Massachusetts John Bancroft said: “Commerce Defies Every Wind, Outrides Every Tempest, And Invades Every Zone.” He shared these words almost 175 years ago.

While I know that this quote hasn’t proven true for many individuals and populations in our country throughout its existence, it is an important reminder of the intentions and promises of our systems, and clear proof of just how far and wide commerce is supposed to reach—to every zone, and every person, in every corner of our communities.

The words etched above the doors of the U.S. Department of Commerce are meant to stand the test of time and remind us of who we must continuously strive to be as an economic development community—defying every wind and riding out every storm are only important in that their benefits can truly invade every zone. Until then, our work will never be complete.

Inspired and energized by the past, present, and future of our work,

Mark Cafferty
Mark Cafferty

President & CEO

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – April 21, 2023

By Kyle Winnick,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the p ast week.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of April 21, 2023, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

Need talent? Paid interns available

If you are in need of talent, there are paid interns available this summer through Advancing San Diego. We are recruiting local companies, in partnership with STEAM-to-Careers and the Border Region Inclusive Talent Pipeline Collaborative, to provide work-based learning opportunities for San Diego’s students at no cost to you.

Apply by April 25

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