Gypsy Jan - 8-16-2012 at 01:45 PM
Oops, misposted another subject - now deleted - my apologies 
From The San Diego Union Tribune
"Organizers of the largest civic event to promote Tijuana as a bustling, innovative and technology-friendly city plan to encourage greater
cross-border participation this year by reaching out to San Diego entrepreneurs, college students and patrons of the arts.
In addition to more than 75 keynote speakers and a major manufacturing expo, the two-week Tijuana Innovadora conference in October promises a
small-business fair, panel discussions and workshops aimed at getting small and medium-sized San Diego companies involved in Tijuana's electronics,
medical, automotive, clean-tech and aerospace industries.
Organizers are also working to bring science, engineering and business students to the conference in hopes that they too might recognize the region's
cross-border synergy.
And starting in September, San Diegans can expect to see nearly 130 banners, billboards and TV spots marketing the event as a chance for San Diegans
and Tijuanenses to connect or reconnect.
The outreach effort was highlighted Tuesday, when Innovadora coordinators held their U.S. kickoff ceremony at San Diego's Balboa Park. On hand were
business executives, cultural experts and others who live or work on both sides of the border.
"We're trying to do something that no one has ever attempted, which is to tell the world that between the Latino and Anglo worlds, there is no
barrier!" said José Galicot, one of the main founders of Tijuana Innovadora.
The inaugural Innovadora conference, held in fall 2010, tried to paint a more nuanced picture of Mexico's largest border town by showcasing the city's
manufacturing sector.
The goal then was to boost residents' morale amid a sluggish economy and to counter what many Tijuanenses saw as incomplete - even unfair - media
coverage of their metropolitan-sized city, which focused in great part on drug-related violence at the time.
This year, conference organizers said their newly created Binational Committee will continue to tout the achievements of Tijuana's manufacturing
industries while emphasizing the fertile investment opportunities for companies looking to expand.
Complimentary, round-trip shuttle service will be provided twice daily from downtown San Diego to the conference, which will be headquartered at the
Centro Cultural Tijuana (Cecut) museum in Tijuana.
In addition, 660 VIP passes - which come with free transportation and admission to the keynote speeches - are being offered to business owners,
managers and entrepreneurs whose companies the Binational Committee believes would fit well in Tijuana's commercial infrastructure.
"Ninety percent of San Diegans are unaware of what's going on in Tijuana," said Steve Williams of SENTRE Partners, a real estate investment firm with
operations on both sides of the border. "But the reality is that it's part of this emerging market where all the action and growth are."
Attendees will be able to hear from speakers such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. They can visit an expo featuring the Tijuana-produced wares of
multinational manufacturers with plants in the city, including Samsung and Toyota.
For non-Mexican visitors interested in setting up shop in the city, bilingual industry experts will be on hand to answer questions about government
regulations, trade agreements and international law. Organizers said the objective is to help business owners cut through any red tape.
Innovadora 2012 will also promote Tijuana's art and culinary offerings.
A "Battle of the Chefs" will pit well-known local cuisiniers from Mexico and San Diego against each other at Tijuana's iconic Grand Hotel. The "Iron
Chef"-style contest will be moderated by celebrity chef Marcela Valladolid, a San Diego resident and a longtime champion of Baja California cuisine.
Also present at Tuesday's news conference were some fashion models wearing elaborate dresses. The models were cast in Tijuana for an international
fashion show that will feature the work of L.A.-based Mexican designer Louis Verdad, among others. A casting for female models from San Diego County
to join the show is set for Sunday."
For more information about the conference, visit tijuanainnovadora.com.
jordan.nelson@utsandiego.com (619) 293-1355
[Edited on 8-16-2012 by Gypsy Jan]