Smart Border Coalition Board of Directors Newsletter

April/May 2025

Powering Progress: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at

Solar Turbines

The Smart Border Coalition held its recent Board of Directors meeting at the impressive new Customer Support Center of Solar Turbines in Kearny Mesa. As a valued member of the Coalition, Solar Turbines hosted us for both a productive meeting and an in-depth tour of their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility including a glimpse of the T350 turbine which is the crown jewel of the organization and can power entire communities. We had the opportunity to see firsthand the massive power-generating turbines that help deliver critical energy solutions around the world.

We are especially grateful to the teams at Solar Turbines and TurboTec for facilitating our visit and sharing their time, insights, and world-class facilities with us. Their leadership and commitment to innovation are a powerful example of the region’s cross-border industrial strength.

Bridging Borders at Tianguis Turístico 2025

From April 28 to May 1, Baja California and San Diego proudly hosted a historic edition of Tianguis Turístico, Mexico’s premier tourism showcase — and for the first time ever, it featured a binational component.

Organized by Mexico’s Federal Ministry of Tourism and supported by the State of Baja California and its Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Aguiñiga, Tianguis Turístico is the country’s most important tourism industry event, bringing together tour operators, destination marketers, government agencies, and travel media to foster business connections and promote Mexico as a world-class destination.

Events spanned Tijuana, Rosarito, and San Diego, spotlighting the cross-border area’s unique blend of culture, hospitality, and economic opportunity. Thousands of industry leaders from across Mexico and beyond convened to promote travel and foster collaboration, reinforcing Mexico’s growing appeal on the global tourism stage. Hundreds of vibrant stands and activations brought the country’s diversity to life.

This landmark edition set a new precedent for binational tourism integration and cross-border regional branding.

South County EDC's Economic Summit

The Smart Border Coalition was pleased to attend the South County Economic Development Council’s recent Economic Summit, held on April 29, 2025, at the Liberty Station Conference Center.

The event featured a dynamic South Bay Mayors Forum, where local leaders discussed economic development, infrastructure, and cross-border collaboration.A highlight of the summit was an engaging conversation with Consul General Christopher Teal, who emphasized the importance of binational cooperation in shaping the future of the CaliBaja region.

CaliBaja Higher Education Consortium

Advancing CaliBaja’s Academic Future

The Calibaja Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) is a groundbreaking binational initiative uniting leading universities from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border to strengthen educational cooperation in the CaliBaja region. Together with institutions like SDSU, CETYS Universidad, UC San Diego, and others, the goal is to create a truly cross-border academic network that supports student mobility, joint research, faculty exchange, and workforce development.

Through annual conferences, binational projects, and permanent working groups, the Consortium is laying the foundation for a more connected and competitive regional future.

The most recent CHEC meeting was hosted by Rector Luis Enrique Palafox at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), where he announced that the 7th annual RE:BORDER conference will take place on October 29, 2025, at the UABC Mexicali campus.

Port of Long Beach & U.S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce

The Smart Border Coalition participated in the panel “The Impact of Nearshoring on Cross-Border Logistics, Border Delays, Opportunities and Challenges: A Thorn in the Side of Cross-Border Logistics” as part of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce conference, U.S.-Mexico Logistics and Supply Chain, Nearshoring, and Latest Updates. The event was held at the state-of-the-art headquarters of the Port of Long Beach and featured distinguished speakers, including Port CEO Mario Cordero.

SBC Executive Director Joaquin Luken joined Pedro Montejo Peterson, Secretary of Economic Development for the City of Tijuana, for a robust discussion on the evolving dynamics of binational logistics and competitiveness.

We thank Marlene Marroquín and the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce team for the kind invitation and for organizing such a timely and impactful program.