Daily Business Report — January 6, 2010

San Diego County Economic Roundtable Opens Thursday

Experts will discuss whether the San Diego region’s economy will continue to falter or begin a recovery this year at the 26th annual San Diego County Economic Roundtable. It will be held Thursday(Jan. 7) from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice at USD, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego. County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price will give opening remarks. Panelists will be Lynn Reaser, chief economist, Point Loma Nazarene University; Donald F. Steuer, chief financial officer for the county; Marney Cox, chief economist for SANDAG; Sharon Hanley, partner with the Hanley Group; Bill McClelland, vice president of international human resources for Qualcomm Inc.; and Alan Gin, associate professor of economics at the USD School of Business Administration.

State of the City Address

Mayor Jerry Sanders will deliver the annual State of the City address on Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., in Downtown San Diego. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. A reception (no host bar) will be held immediately afterwards at the U.S. Grant Hotel.

Convention Center Forecasts Big Bucks for the Region

The San Diego Convention Center is forecasting $1.3 billion in regional economic impact and $18.7 million in tax revenue for the city coffers in 2010. Besides supporting 12,500 jobs countywide, Convention Center events this year will provide local hoteliers 724,303 hotel room nights, giving the city’s hotel occupancy rates a needed boost. Sixty-three conventions also are expected to draw 559,750 primary attendees whose spending will generate an estimated  $542.1 million in direct attendee spending.

Future business continues to fare better than expected, in part, due to the Convention Center marketing itself to resilient market segments such as the lucrative medical and health care sectors, according to the center. One of this industry’s top medical meetings, the Society for Neuroscience is expected to bring 36,000 medical and scientific delegates to San Diego for Neuroscience 2010 Nov. 13-17. The group was welcomed to San Diego in 2007 when it set the record for producing the largest economic impact, $133 million, of any event held in the  building to date. This time around, the SNS is expected to surpass its own record and generate an unprecedented $163.7 million in economic impact as well as  $2.3 million in tax revenue for the city.

The present economic downturn has presented difficult challenges for the convention and trade show industry. Across the board, the number of exhibitors as well as attendance has fallen off, but the future outlook is encouraging, according to the Convention Center. Tradeshow Week, an industry publication and a primary supplier of proprietary research, reports attendance at conventions and trade shows in the third quarter of 2009 improved. In addition, it surveyed CEOs and senior executives and found over 90 percent of these individuals are still attending their industry’s most important events of the year and believe attending conventions and trade  shows are critical to remaining competitive.

Besides the 63 conventions being held in 2010, 36 consumer and community events will attract just over 237,300 local guests, bringing overall attendance to 797,120 and total events to 99. The numbers represent the forecast for calendar year 2010, which runs Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2010.

Convention Center Corp. Selects Community Relations Director

Gary Shaw, former publisher of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine and the North Park News, has joined the San Diego Convention Center Corp. as the new director of community relations. Shaw will be responsible for developing and implementing community affairs initiatives, managing ongoing relationships with business and community groups, and facilitating all elements of community engagement. “Gary brings expertise and knowledge from his varied civic roles to our organization that will enhance and strengthen our engagement in the community,” said Carol Wallace, president and CEO of the Convention Center Corp. “His demonstrated leadership experience in community and civic affairs makes Gary an ideal fit for this position.”

Shaw sold San Diego Metropolitan and the North Park News in June to Bob Page, chairman and CEO of Rep Publishing Inc. From 1977 through 1995, Shaw worked for The Daily Transcript in various capacities, assuming the role of chief editor and vice president before purchasing San Diego Metropolitan Magazine in 1996. Shaw also worked as a reporter for the San Diego Tribune and Chula Vista Star-News as well as a local stringer for the Wall Street Journal.

Shaw is a founder and former board director of the Downtown San Diego Partnership and was a strong champion of the New Children’s Museum of San Diego and served on the board chair during the campaign to raise funds for the new facility. He is currently a member of the Board of Overseers of UCSD.

New Port Commission Chair Outlines Objectives

Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, newly installed chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners, said his priorities for the coming year will include boosting the Port’s maritime business, advancing development of the Chula Vista and San Diego bayfronts and seeing the opening of the new Broadway Cruise Ship Terminal. Valderrama detailed his goals while declaring his theme for 2010 as “the year of our partners,” which include more than 600 tenants and subtenants of the Port of San Diego, and others such as cruise lines, shipping companies, the military, the airport, the Port’s member cities and organizations such as the Environmental Health Coalition. “The Port of San Diego could not exist without its partners,” Valderrama told more than 100 people who attended the annual swearing-in luncheon Tuesday at the Kona Kai Resort.

Besides Valderrama, Louis M. Smith, recently appointed to represent the city of Coronado on the board, was sworn in, as were Commissioners Scott Peters, who will be this year’s vice chairman, and Stephen Padilla, who will serve as the board’s secretary. Padilla of Chula Vista was sworn in by his partner Clayton Tschudy and Peters was sworn in by his wife, Lynn Gorguze. Valderrama was sworn in by his daughter, Carmel.

Valderrama praised outgoing Board Chairman Stephen P. Cushman, who he characterized as one of the most dedicated, business-savvy and passionate board chairs.

In his address, Valderrama said he will work to advance the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, which is a guide for developing more than 500 acres on the Chula Vista bayfront. He vowed to see the opening of the new Broadway Cruise Ship Terminal as scheduled in December of this year. As for the North Embarcardero Visionary Plan, which will revamp about a mile and a half of waterfront on Harbor Drive from Laurel Street to the G Street Mole, Valderrama said his goal is to see construction start on the first phase. He also said he would work closely with developers who are trying to raise financing for the Lane Field Hotel project, which includes the planned construction of two hotels and offices and retail outlets on the north side of Broadway, between North Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway.

As for his own community of National City, Valderrama said one of his priorities is to see that a new park is built next to the Pier 32 Marina, which opened for business last year. “That cannot happen without the support of my fellow commissioners,” he said. “I hope they’ll support it.”

Kyocera Announces Promotions, Succession Plan

Kyocera on Tuesday announced a leadership succession plan at its North American headquarters that will result in three executive promotions. Effective April 1, Rodney N. Lanthorne, currently president of Kyocera International, Inc. (“KII”), Kyocera’s North American headquarters and holding company, will assume the responsibility of vice chairman of KII’s board of directors. Lanthorne, 64, will relinquish his responsibility as KII president effective March 31. He will continue in his other corporate responsibilities, which include serving as a director of Kyocera Corp. of Kyoto, Japan, the group’s global headquarters and parent company.

John S. Rigby, formerly president of Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corp., will succeed Lanthorne as president of KII, effective April 1. In preparation for the transition, Rigby, 54, will relocate to San Diego. He has assumed the role of KII president-elect effective Jan. 1, 2010, reporting to Lanthorne, and will continue in his other corporate responsibilities as an executive officer of Kyocera Corp.

David M. Williams, formerly vice president of KICC’s Cutting Tools Division, has been promoted to KICC president, effective Jan. 1, reporting to Lanthorne and Rigby. Williams, 50, remains based at KICC’s Mountain Home, N.C., facility. He will continue in his responsibilities as general manager, Cutting Tools Division, during a transitional period.

“John Rigby and David Williams have more than 50 years of combined experience in building strong business operations while embracing Kyocera’s core values,” Lanthorne said. “Their thorough knowledge of Kyocera products, technologies and ‘customer-first’ principles will support our continued success in North America.”

William O’Connor Elected Law Firm Partner

William V. O’Connor, a lawyer with Morrison & Foerster’s San Diego office, has been elected a partner. A member of the litigation department, O’Connor’s practice focuses on complex litigation involving product liability and high exposure insurance defense matters. He specializes in aviation matters, including treat liability for air carriers under the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions, government investigations of major aviation accidents, and defense of mass tort litigation. O’Connor holds degrees from UCSD and the Georgetown University Law Center.

SAFE Task Force Gets New Commander

David Collazo, special agent supervisor for the California Department of Justice, has been appointed the new commander of the San Diego Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force. The task force is a collaboration of law enforcement agencies in the San Diego region dedicated to stopping sex crimes through the monitoring of known sex offenders and enforcement of sex offender registration laws. Collazo began his law enforcement career in 1997 as a correctional deputy probation officer in San Diego working with juvenile offenders. In 1998 he joined DOJ as a special agent in the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. When the California Anti-Terrorism Information Center Task Force was formed in Los Angeles in 2001, Collazo was assigned to that mission. He served as acting special agent supervisor there, overseeing an eight-member team tasked with collecting and disseminating criminal intelligence on international terrorist and domestic gangs. Collazo served as acting deputy director for the San Diego Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center for an extended period of time. He is a Marine Corps veteran and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from San Diego State.

Junior Publicist hired at bay bird inc pr

bay bird inc pr, a boutique public relations agency specializing in communications for companies in the restaurant, entertainment, fashion, art, design, beauty, wellness and hospitality industries, has added Nia Jonesz as junior publicist. In addition to her work with bay bird inc, Jonesz is pursuing a master’s degree in media studies from San Diego State. She was a news reporter and editor at The Reporter in Mankato, Minn.

c3 Communications Adds Vice President

Sara E. Wacker has re-joined public relations firm c3 Communications Inc. as vice president, an announcement made at the same time as the agency is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. “We are very proud to have reached the 10-year milestone and have our clients to thank for their continued business,” said Joice Truban Curry, president & CEO of c3. “We’re also very excited to have Sara return to the agency; her enthusiasm and fresh ideas are one of the things that truly make c3 a special agency.” As vice president, Wacker directs all aspects of client programs including media relations, community relations, corporation positioning, and special events management. She recently returned to c3, where she began her career and worked for several years, after a stint at Allison & Partners San Diego, where she led the office’s community relations, cause marketing and corporate social responsibility programs. Wacker is an alumnus of SDSU’s School of Communication and is the 2010 president for the San Diego chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Padres Executive to address Association for Corporate Growth

Jeff Moorad, vice chairman and CEO of the San Diego Padres, will give a talk on the recent Padres franchise deal at the Jan. 19 meeting of the San Diego chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. It will be from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Hazard Center, 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego. ACG San Diego members are free; others are $50. To reserve, visit acteva.com/go/acgsd. For more information, call (619) 741-7247.

With a long history in professional sports, Moorad will offer insight into building franchise value, along with financing an acquisition of the size of the Padres deal. In February 2009, Moorad and a California-based group reached an agreement to purchase 100 percent ownership of the Padres over a five-year span and Moorad was named to his present position. While with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Moorad was a general partner, CEO, the spokesman for the D-backs’ ownership group, and oversaw, along with Ken Kendrick, the day-to-day operations of the franchise. The founder of Moorad Sports Management, he began specializing in athlete representation in 1983, with his main focus on Major League Baseball.

Future of Genomic Medicine III Conference Set for March 5

Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) will present its third annual educational conference exploring the latest achievements and challenges in the field of genomics March 5-6 at The Neurosciences Institute auditorium, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego. The conference, “The Future of Genomic Medicine III,” will offer a forum where human geneticists, genomic scientists, physicians and health care professionals of all disciplines can gain valuable insights from many of the nation’s leading genomics experts. Presenting this year’s keynote address will be Dr. Leroy Hood, one of the world’s leading scientists in molecular biotechnology and genomics.  His accolades include the 2002 Kyoto Prize for Advanced Technology and the 2003 Lemelson-MIT Prize for inventing instruments that have helped decode the human genome. A special introductory lecture on the future of genomic medicine will be delivered by Gregory T. Lucier,  chairman and CEO of Life Technologies. The program will include a series of 28 specialized presentations, interspersed with panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions. The March 5 sessions will focus on the whole genomic sequencing of people. Presentations on March 6 will cover a range of topics, such as cancer genomics, genomics of healthy aging and pharmacogenomics.

Registration for the conference is $80 and is complimentary for all students, residents and fellows. Pre-registration will be accepted through Feb. 26 on a space-available basis.  More information is available at www.scripps.org/conferenceservices, or by calling Scripps Conference Services & CME at (858) 652-5400.

SDSU to Offer Construction-Related Programs

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies will offer several certificate programs during the spring semester for students who are seeking to make their careers in the construction industry. The Online Professional Certificate in Construction Practices program teaches students to be better prepared at their chosen profession, learn from experts in various fields of construction, and advance within their current trade or transition into a new career. Online certificate programs in Construction Estimating and Construction Supervisory Series, as well as an in-class certificate program in Construction Inspection, also are designed to broaden students’ skills and train them in value-adding specialty areas.

Online spring semester courses take place Jan. 19-March 27 (Session 1) or April 5-June 12 (Session 2) and are available 24/7 from wherever a student has computer access. Students may take courses in either and/or both sessions. The Construction Inspection program kicks off with the Masonry Inspection course Tuesdays, Jan. 19-March 23 from 6-9 pm in the SDSU Extended Studies/Gateway Centers. For more information, call (619) 594-1138 or visit neverstoplearning.net. go to the “Educational Offerings” category and click on “Certificate/Degree Programs” in the pull-down tab.

Industrial Building Sold for $4.95 Million

Oak Ridge Vista LLC, a subsidiary of Solatube International Inc., has purchased a 53,269-square-foot industrial manufacturing facility located at 2210 Oak Ridge Way in Vista for $4.95 million. The company will utilize the space as its corporate headquarters. Solatube International, was represented by Tucker Hohenstein of Cushman & Wakefield. The seller, DEXUS Property Group, was represented by Nick Psyllos of CB Richard Ellis. Solatube International plans to improve and expand the building to consolidate offices from other facilities.

Business Datebook

Jan. 8

SEMINAR: National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) San Diego, continue its monthly seminar series with a program presented by Marguerite Lorenz of Lorenz Fiduciary Services: “Estate Planning and Your Business.” Brandman University, 7460 Mission Valley Rd., noon to 1 p.m. Free for NAWBO members; $25 for others. Pre-registration required. For online registration and more information, visit nawbo-sd.org.

Jan. 11

SEMINAR: Foothills Bar Association’s seventh annual “Hard to Get” MCLE Credits Seminar, 5 to 9 p.m., La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. Speakers include Brian Forbes, Julie Greenberg, Mattheus Stephens, and M. David Meagher. 3.5 hours MCLE Credit. $50, FBA members, $65, nonmembers. Download registration form at : lawyersclubsandiego.com/associations/4937/files/FBA.MCLE.form.pdf.

Jan. 13

BREAKFAST PANEL: The 2010 San Diego Retail Market Forecast sponsored by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Local retail experts discuss what to expect in 2010 and how to survive. Moderator: Mike Clark, ICSC, San Diego program committee chair. Marriott Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego. 7:30 a.m. registration, program at 8 a.m. Members $45 to $60; nonmembers $60 to $75. Registration information at (646) 728-3800.

Jan. 14

REAL ESTATE PANEL: Residential real estate leaders will gather for an annual forecasting event at 5 p.m. at the Del Mar Hilton, 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. The program, “Positive Again in 2010,” is presented by the Sales & Marketing Council of the San Diego Building Industry Association. Moderated by Pete Reeb of Reeb Development Consulting. Cost is $65 for BIA members and $85 for nonmembers. Dinner, 6 p.m., program, 7 p.m. For more information or to register, visit http://www.biasandiego.org/eventsupcoming.php?key=91 or call (858) 450-1221, Ext. 101.

WORKSHOP: CONNECT workshop on “Establishing an Effective Bioscience IP Portfolio,” held in partnership with Pillsbury Winthrop Pittman Shaw LLP. The workshop will cover basic elements of developing a commercially meaningful intellectual property portfolio for a bioscience company. 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., offices of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, 12255 El Camino Real, Suite 300, San Diego. Light breakfast will be provided; optional lunch. $45. For more information, call (858) 964-1312.

PRESENTATION: Jeff Morgan, president and CEO of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI), speaks to the San Diego NIRI chapter at Leap Wireless, 5887 Copley Dr., San Diego. Networking reception at 5 p.m. presentation, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Morgan will speak on the NIRI and the state of the industry. Admission is $45 for members and $60 for nonmembers if registration is received before 5 p.m. on Jan. 11. The cost for late or on-site registrations is $55 for members and $70 for nonmembers. Register by e-mail at: rsvp@nirisandiego.org.

Jan. 19

BREAKFAST TALK: Jeff Moorad, vice chairman and CEO of the San Diego Padres, will give a talk on the recent Padres franchise deal at the Jan. 19 meeting of the San Diego chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. It will be from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Hazard Center, 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego. ACG San Diego members are free; others are $50. To reserve, visit acteva.com/go/acgsd. For more information, call (619) 741-7247.

Jan. 19

FORUM: San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders will discuss past, present and future city government reforms that will shape the region in NAOP San Diego’s fourth annual Breakfast with the Mayor program. Marriott San Diego/Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego. Registration at 7:30 a.m., program runs from 8 to 9:15 a.m. $40 for members, $60 for nonmembers. Attendees may pay online at naiopsd.org. NAOP San Diego is a chapter of the Real Estate Development Association.

Jan. 20

WORKSHOP: “Unlocking the Secrets: the Power of Strategic Alliances” sponsored by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. A 90-minute training course to be successful in the chamber’s complementary referral program, the Business Alliance. Chamber HQ, 402 West Broadway, Suite 1000, San Diego. No charge. Reservations required. To reserve, e-mail Erin Chapman at echapman@sdchamber.org or call (619) 544-1382.

CONFERENCE: San Diego Society for Human Resource Management’s annual Law Day Conference focuses on employment law, compliance and legislative issues facing today’s workplace. 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, 10950 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. $129 for members, $189 for nonmembers. To reserve and for more information, visit sdshrm.org or acteva.com/go/sdshrm.

FORUM: “TelCentris: Generating Revenue from a Market Used to ‘Free,’” 5 to 8 p.m. Salk Institute, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla. Sponsored by MIT Enterprise Forum San Diego. For more information, visit sdmitforum.org.

Jan. 21

LUNCHEON: Lawyers Club of San Diego monthly luncheon, noon to 1:15 p.m., Bristol Hotel, 1055 First Ave., Downtown San Diego. Doors open at 11:45 a.m. Members $25. Nonmembers $30. Make reservations to rsvp@lawyersclubsandiego.com.

LUNCHEON: Annual installation luncheon of the Downtown San Diego Partnership. 11:30 a.m. check-in, program at noon, Hard Rock Hotel, Downtown San Diego. For information, call Sheri Snead, (619) 234-0201 or e-mail her at ssnead@downtownsandiego.org.

WORKSHOP: Presentation workshop sponsored by BIOCOM, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at BIOCOM, 4510 Executive Drive Plaza 7, San Diego. Provides opportunity for practice, feedback, videotaping and one-on-one coaching for each participant. Each participant will present three times, be videotaped and receive group and one-on-one feedback. For information, call Kristie Grover, (858) 455-0300.

Jan. 26

WORKSHOP: “Unlocking the Secrets: The Art of Giving a Presentation,” a training course sponsored by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. 8 to 9:30 a.m., San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, 402 West Broadway, Suite 1000, San Diego. Learn how to show off what you do and share what makes your business, product or service unique. For more information, call (619) 544-1382.

Jan. 27

WORKSHOP: The San Diego chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators holds a special workshop/learning session on “The New Rules of Engagement: How Communicators Shape Leaders’ Thoughts and Actions.” Speaker is Mark Schumann, principal of Towers Perrin and 2008-09 chair of the IABC. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., learning session and lunch; 1 to 2 p.m., roundtable workshop. Doubletree Hotel San Diego/Mission Valley, 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego. Register by Jan. 21 and its $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers. Register afterwards, its $50 and $60, respectively.

Feb. 3

ANNUAL DINNER: The 139th annual dinner of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, 5-8 p.m., Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle North, Grand Exhibit Hall. $150 individual registration. Highlights include induction of the 2010 chairman of the board, Tom Wornham of Wells Fargo, and the board of directors, and presentations of the Spirit of San Diego, Courageous Leadership and Regional Unity awards. For more information, call Katie at (619) 544-1370.

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan magazine and the North Park News.