San Diego CITD Update
March 2017
In This Edition
The San Diego CITD, in collaboration with the Port of Los AngelesPort of San DiegoU.S. Small Business Administration San Diego District OfficeU.S. Commercial ServiceSan Diego & Imperial District Export Council, and the World Trade Center San Diego, will be hosting a series of advanced workshops beginning March 15th called Export University. Workshops in the series are designed to help U.S. companies optimize their export potential and increase their international sales. Sessions will be held once a month and cover topics including:
  • Is Exporting for Me?
  • Internet Export Marketing - Establish Effective Branding Online
  • Legal, Contractual and Regulatory Aspects (Trade Compliance)
  • Logistics & Shipping Documents
  • Export Trade Finance & Insurance/Getting Paid
  • Export Sales Techniques/Port & Airport Services
Participants in the workshops will have the opportunity to develop an export plan and discuss it with a panel of trade professionals at the last session.

Cost: $15 per session
Dates: March 15, April 12, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16

For additional information and to register, click here.
CITD/DSN Kick Off APICS Certification Courses
The San Diego CITD and  Deputy Sector Navigator for Global Trade and Logistics  (DSNGTL) kicked off the first in a series of courses designed to prepare supply chain management professionals for the APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification exams. The first course, " Basics of Supply Chain Management " began on February 15th and will be taught over the course of 10 weeks, with students meeting in the evenings once per week for a 3-hour class session at Southwestern College's Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa.
CITD and SBA Host How to Prepare for a Trade Show Workshop

The San Diego CITD, in conjunction with the  San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration , hosted a workshop titled, "How to Prepare for a Trade Show", at Southwestern College's Higher Education Center in National City on February 16th. The workshop provided attendees with information on properly preparing and coming up with a plan for participating in a trade show that can help them get the most out of the show experience and capture the leads to grow their business. San Diego CITD Director, Victor Castillo, and Cynthia Harris, Economic Development Specialist for the SBA, welcomed the group of participants, after which San Diego CITD International Trade Specialist, Monica Rosas, and Mr. Castillo presented the workshop content.


As part of the activities of the Deputy Sector Navigator for Global Trade and Logistics (DSNGTL) and in support by the Regional Pathways Program for San Diego and Imperial Counties, Industry Connections Coordinator for the GTL Sector and San Diego CITD Trade Specialist, Monica Rosas, participated in a variety of High School and Middle School work based learning activities in January and February. Schools that participated in the GTL work-based learning activities included: Mt. Miguel High School, Sage Creek High School, The Learning Choice Academy, Americas Finest Charter School and High Tech High Chula Vista. 

Approximately 150 students participated in a variety of activities, including : industry classroom presentations, career fairs, mock interviews and work readiness presentations. These activities are intended to  help students develop skills as future employees in their field of interest. 


Join the San Diego CITD at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Small Business Industry Day on March 9, 2017. 

In an effort to increase awareness of its programs and policies, Acting Director Valarie Neuhart, of the Office of Trade Relations will lead discussions on CBP's trade facilitation and enforcement related to imports, exports and the global supply chain as it directly impacts the small business community. 

Discussions include:
  • CBP's Role in Trade Imports, Automation and Partnership
  • What You Need to Know & What You Should Avoid When Importing Into the U.S.
  • Brokers Role in Imports and How They Can Help Small Businesses Import
  • Resources Available to Small Businesses
For more information, including full agenda and registration, Click Here.


Join the San Diego/Baja Roundtable to kick off its first speed networking event. The event will combine the concepts of speed dating and career networking into one fun, engaging experience for university students to executive leaders, and everyone in between. Every 10 minutes the group of attendees will rotate allowing another group the opportunity to learn from you.

For more information, click here.
Explore Dubai: Investment and Export Opportunities 
Join the Dubai Investment Development Agency, Dubai FDI and delegation to learn about the innovation driven economy of Dubai.

Topics will include:
  • Overview of the top ten major innovation pillars of Dubai
  • Dubai as a platform to enhance business growth in the region
  • Dubai's investment climate and leading sectors for U.S. export and investment
  • How to use international diversification and partnership to grow your company and increase your exports
For more information and to register, click here.

This professional development opportunity, hosted in collaboration by the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego and Imperial Counties Regional Pathways Program, San Diego County College and Career Readiness Consortium, San Diego CITD, Deputy Sector Navigator for Global Trade and Logistics, and the Deputy Sector Navigator for Advanced Manufacturing, is open to k-12 teachers and community college faculty interested in better understanding manufacturing in the local region, and looking up ways to bring these concepts to their courses.

Participants in this event will visit the MEXPORT trade show and take a tour of a local packaging manufacturer. 

For more information, click here.

Get ready for MEXPORT 2017 , the region's premier industrial trade show promoting supplier opportunities with major manufacturers in the Southern California/Baja California region. MEXPORT 2017 will be held on April 6th, 2017 in Otay Mesa. 

For more information and to register, click here.

Expo Construction 2017 is a biannual event organized by the Mexican Chamber of Industrial Construction (CMIC), Tijuana-Tecate and Playas de Rosarito Chapter. Expo Construction's main focus is to promote the construction sector in the Municipalities of Tijuana, Tecate and Rosarito.  2017 expo will be their 11th edition. In 2015 they had about 3,000 attendees.  Visitor profiles include builders, engineers, architects, infrastructure Government officials, academia and other construction sector professionals. 
 
The San Diego CITD is working with organizers, Chamber of Commerce, to obtain 50 % off the price of regular booth and a list of demanded requirements by the construction sector in the region. 
 
Additional information coming soon. For questions, please contact:
 
San Diego CITD at support@sandiegocitd.org or
(619) 482-6393.

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.

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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:

National City
Southwestern College Higher Education Center
National City
880 National City Blvd.
Suite 7100
National City, CA 91950   

Chula Vista
Southwestern College Main Campus
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

East County
East County EDC
127 East Lexington Ave
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.
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.

California STEP:
Foreign Market Promotion Opens Nov 1, 2016
  • No Cost Match
  • Trade Show Booth Cost
  • Website Translation
  • And Much More (excludes travel costs)
California STEP Individual Company Export Promotion (ICEP) Program
 
California STEP Registration Form -2017
 
Ask Us How You Can Participate

California Export Guide
SDSU CIBER  in partnership with ThinkGlobal Inc.,, has launched the  California Export Guide , available in print and online. The colorful, magazine-style guide is a free resource for California exporters to find the tools they need to succeed in global markets.

The purpose of the guide is to provide California companies and foreign investors with expert advice and answers to frequently asked questions about exporting, foreign direct investment and global business.
CITD Supplier Export Program

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


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.