Daily Business Report — April 1, 2011
Economic Indicators Up Sharply in February
The USD Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators for San Diego County rose 1.9
percent in February, following a 0.9 percent increase in January. February’s increase was the largest one month increase ever in the Index and was powered by the largest monthly increase in building permits on record. Initial claims for unemployment insurance, consumer confidence, help wanted advertising, and the outlook for the national economy also had significant gains. Local stock prices registered the smallest gain, but that was enough to make February the second month in a row where all six components in the Index were positive.
With gains in January and February, the USD Index has now risen or been unchanged for nearly two years (23 consecutive months). February’s record gain suggests a pickup in the pace of the local economic recovery, which has been slow. While the local economy has added almost 23,000 jobs since the depths of the recession in January 2010, that represents a recovery of less than 20 percent of the more than 122,000 jobs the local economy lost from the peak in December 2007. One result is that the local unemployment rate remains high, topping the 10 percent mark for 21 straight months through February. February’s increase puts the USD Index of Leading Economic Indicators for San Diego County at 114.0, up from January’s reading of 111.8.
Chuck Wasker Heads Holiday Bowl and Poinsettia Bowl
The San Diego Bowl Game Association’s board of directors has elected Chuck Wasker president of the 2011 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl and San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. He succeeds Eric Graves, who becomes chairman of the board.Wasker, who lives in Carlsbad, joined the bowl association’s committee in 1997, and was appointed to the board of directors in 2004. Since its inception in 1978, the San Diego Bowl Game Association has generated more than $600 million in economic impact for the San Diego region, officials said. Wasker grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and is a 1976 graduate of Kansas State University. He is senior vice president at Colliers International. Other 2011 elected officers include John Wertz, president-elect; Irene Oberbauer, secretary; and Chuck Lemoine, treasurer.
General Atomics Unit Opens London Office
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems UK Ltd, an affiliate of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), has established an office in London, managed by Jonny King. “We are pleased that the London office will provide dedicated support for the Ministry of Defence’s Remotely Piloted Air Systems requirements,” said Neal Blue, Chairman and CEO of GA-ASI. The company has delivered six aircraft to the Ministry of Defence since the first UK Predator B/ MQ-9 Reaper UAS was deployed to Afghanistan in October 2007, with the fleet expected to nearly double in size over the next few years. The aircraft have logged over 17,000 flight hours to date in support of UK forces on the ground.
Hotel Receiverships Topic of S.D. Receivers Forum
The intricacies of hotel receiverships — including employees, liquor licenses, multiple government agencies — will be discussed at the San Diego Receivers Forum on April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Campus Pointe Conference Center, 10300 Campus Pointe Drive, San Diego. The panel of experts includes Kevin Berry, vice president of hotel operations, Trigild Corp.; Natasha Perez, managing director, acquisitions and development for R.A. Rauch & Associates Inc.; and Alan X. Reay, president of Atlas Hospitality Group. Advance tickets are $25 for members, $30 for government employees and $35 for nonmembers. Tickets at the door are $5 higher. For more, visit sdreceivers.org or call Gail Squar at (949) 497-3673, Ext. 620.
Free Business Expo to be Held April 7 in Imperial Beach
The Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a free business expo on April 7 that will offer the resources and advice from top industry experts to help business owners reach their full potential. Guest speakers will lend their knowledge and advice from 4 to 6 p.m. and will speak on how to market on a shoestring budget, ways to attract tourism dollars and advice for small business financing. The business expo will feature a variety of business leaders including Julia Simms of j. simms agency and Shawn Record of Expert Business Systems addressing marketing and social media, Jackie Williams of The Unified Port of San Diego and Eric Lund of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau on no-cost ways to market to tourists, and Maria Montaño of ACCION San Diego and David Miles of Chase Bank regarding access to capital. Local banking, credit unions and utility companies will be on hand to offer services and answer questions. A crime prevention specialist from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department will be available tell how to keep businesses and employees safe. The city’s Redevelopment Agency will have personnel available to help navigate the steps in starting or operating a business in Imperial Beach. The expo is hosted by the Imperial Beach Business Improvement District in partnership with the Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce and city of Imperial Beach. The expo will be held at the Marina Vista Center located at 1075 8th St., Imperial Beach. For more information, contact the Imperial Beach of Chamber Commerce at (619) 424-3151.
Green Business Summit Opens on April 16
Sustainable business advice, green business opportunities and the “greening” of organizations are some of the topics of the Green Business Summit to be held April 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Price Center at UCSD.The keynote address will be delivered by Will Marre, consulting director of UCSD Extension’s Responsible Enterprise Forum. Marre will expand on his list of 10 things every business leader should know about strategic sustainability and how to make a green business difference. Trade show hours are from 9 to 9:40 a.m. and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A walking tour from noon to 1 p.m. will take attendees through the many displays across campus, showcasing a green car show and live entertainment. The summit is hosted by UCSD Extension. Registration fee is $20. To register, visit extension.ucsd.edu/events/summit.
B&D Terra Holdings Purchases Building for$2.05 Million
B&D Terra Holdings has purchased a two-story, 16,652-square-foot building at 10721 Treena St. in San Diego for $2.05 million and will occupy the property doing business as Ausgar Technologies Inc. PS Ivanhoe LLC was the seller. Marc Posthumus, Chris High, Ryan King and Eric Northbrook of Cushman & Wakefield represented the seller in the transaction.
Greg Joumas Joins Bailey Gardiner Agency as Senior V.P.
Advertising strategist Greg Joumas has joined the Bailey Gardiner agency as senior vice president of advertising and director of client services. Joumas spent 11 years as vice president of advertising and marketing communications at Jack in the Box, winning 12 EFFIES and two Cannes Gold Lions for his work on the company’s brand and television commercials. Journas led the development of Intel’s global positioning and advertising as the vice president and global account director at Euro RSCG/San Francisco. He started his career as an account executive at Doner Advertising. He became the account director for GMO Advertising in 1994. Joumas is a professional public speaker, adjunct professor and lecturer at San Diego State and University of San Diego.
SCORE San Diego Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continuesits series of small business workshops in April. To register, visit score-sandiego.org.
• April 2 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door).
• April 2 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• April 5 – Restaurant 101 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• April 7 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• April 8 – Import–Export – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• April 9– Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• April 9 – Internet Marketing 201 – Build Your Business through Search Engine Optimization – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• April 9 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• April 12 – Legal Issues for Small Business – Contacts and Leases – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• April 13 – Internet Marketing 303 – Social Media for Small Businesses – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• April 14 – Effective Marketing – Identify and Target Your Customers – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• April 14 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; No Charge – Please Pre-Register).
• April 16 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).
• April 19 – Internet Marketing 304 – Cost-Effective Internet Marketing Tools – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• April 20 – Buying and Selling a Business – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• April 26 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• April 26 – Financial Statements – What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• April 27 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• April 27 – Good Governance for Nonprofits: Effective Board Performance – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation in Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Road, #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).
• April 29 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; No Charge – Please Pre-Register).
• April 29 – Tax Considerations for Small Business – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92009; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
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