San Diego CITD Update
February 2017
In This Edition
CITD Hosts International Delegation of Entrepreneurs and Emerging Leaders
An international delegation of entrepreneurs and leaders from 18 different countries was in San Diego as part of a professional development program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State called the  International Visitor Leadership Program  (IVLP). The goal of the IVLP is to strengthen U.S. engagement with countries around the world and cultivate lasting relationships by connecting current and emerging foreign leaders with their American counterparts through short-term visits to the United States. The Department of State's local partner, the  San Diego Diplomacy Council , arranges professional, educational, and cultural exchanges for incoming delegations based on their areas of interest. This delegation-which included entrepreneurs and professionals from Bahrain, Bulgaria, Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Hungary, India, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Moldova, Mongolia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Tunisia, and West Bank and Gaza-was particularly interested in learning about how entrepreneurship and small businesses are nurtured and supported in the U.S., as well as the role of the CITDs and how they are linked to community colleges.
LINCS Supply Chain Management Education and Certification Program Showing Results

The supply chain management and certification program being offered by the San Diego CITD and DSN for Global Trade and Logistics, in collaboration with LINCS, is showing great results for local students. Since the CITD/DSN began to offer LINCS in December of 2016, more than 20 students have enrolled in the program and 18 certifications have been earned. These certifications are issued by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, a leading global association of supply chain management professionals. Earning these certifications make students more  competitive in obtaining and sustaining employment in this field. The LINCS program is coordinated locally by CITD staff-member Desiree Dolores.

For more information about the LINCS program, visit www.sandiegocitd.org/lincs

The San Diego CITD and DSN for Global Trade & Logistics will begin offering American Production and Inventory Control Society ( APICS)  Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification courses at Southwestern College's Higher Education Center in Otay Mesa. APICS is a national industry-recognized association for supply management professionals. According to APICS's Operations Management Employment Outlook, professionals with the CPIM designation see a significantly improved hiring potential and an average 14% salary increase.

The first course, "Basics of Supply Chain Management", will begin on February 15th, 2017 and will run for 10 weeks from 6 PM - 9 PM on Wednesdays.

The CPIM program  empowers professionals with the ability to understand and evaluate production and inventory activities within a company's global operations. To earn the CPIM designation, a professional must pass a series of five exams to demonstrate mastery of essential terminology, concepts, and strategies related to production and inventory management. The CITD/DSN will be offering the APICS courses designed to prepare professionals for each of the certification exams.

Registration is open and there is limited seating for the course. For more information on the certification courses and to register, click here.

Deadline to register is February 10th, 2017.
Attention warehouse operators. Come learn about  permits required and associated  with  high piled storage and hazardous material. This important forum, which will take place on February 8th, 2017, will include the participation of racking firms, fire protection consultants, San Diego Fire Department Fire Inspectors, San Diego Building Department Plan Checkers, and San Diego County Hazmat.

For more information and to register, click here.
Participating at a trade show can cost your company a lot of time, money, and resources. Properly preparing and coming up with a plan for the event can help you get the most out of your trade show experience and capture the leads to increase your sales. 

Come learn how to maximize your trade show participation to grow your business at this free workshop. SPACE IS LIMITED.

For more information and to register, click here.

Be part of a unique opportunity to showcase your company and gain valuable market insights and potential business leads from El Salvador! The U.S. Commercial Service in El Salvador is publishing a multi-sector U.S. Supplier Directory  that will be disseminated amongst Salvadoran importers and distributors visiting the U.S. EXPO & Conference, taking place in May 2017.
 
Here are a few reasons to export to El Salvador:
  1. CAFTA-DR - Preferential duty treatment
  2. An overlooked marketplace of $3.3 Billion (U.S. exports in 2015)
  3. Highly receptive to U.S. products and services
  4. Recipient of $4.3 Billion in remittances
For more information about this opportunity, click here.

Mexicali, Mexico is home to over 500 national and international companies with manufacturing and assembly operations utilizing over $350 million in parts and components in the region annually. The Mexicali Supply Expo 2016 is your opportunity to connect with the Areospace, Metal Mechanic, Medical Device, Automotive, Electronic and more, professionals who are looking for suppliers to meet their fabrication needs. At this annual, international event, which will take place on February 23rd, 2017, manufacturers and suppliers will:
  • Meet one-on-one to discuss demand and supply needs and opportunities
  • Participate in an Expert Panel Discussion to examine international operations and discuss doing business in Mexicali
  • Tap into government, developers and educational institution opportunities in specialized pavilions
  • Network with key company leaders at an industry-wide reception
For more information on this event, 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. 

Booth space is now available for MEXPORT 2017. See the site plan and select a booth here.

The San Diego CITD has new offices at the Center for Business Advancement (CBA) at Southwestern College's Higher Education Center in National City. The CBA is also home to other economic development programs hosted by the college, including the San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center, the San Diego & Imperial Valley SBDC Network, and the South San Diego SBDC. The CBA will officially be inaugurated at a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 24th.

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.

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:

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.