Category: News

EDC, WTCSD kick off BIO 2026 spotlighting San Diego to international delegations

By Becca Schulert & Javier De Leon,

Home to renowned universities and research institutions, life-changing breakthroughs, and a highly-skilled talent pool, San Diego is a global leader in innovation and a pillar of California’s world-leading life sciences sector. Kicking off BIO 2026, San Diego Regional EDC and World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) hosted our second biennial Invest in San Diego Breakfast spotlighting our region’s world-class life sciences ecosystem.

In partnership with the California Governor’s Office for Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), IQHQ, and San Diego County Water Authority, with support from ITJ and Biocom, we welcomed more than 200 attendees representing international delegations including Japan, Singapore, the UK, Australia, Denmark, and South Korea. Alongside stunning waterfront views at IQHQ’s Research and Development District, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria welcomed delegates and highlighted life sciences’ driving role in San Diego’s global economic impact, and GO-Biz Associate Deputy Director for Industry Engagement and Development Maria Onorato spoke to California’s collaborative spirit and business support.

Following EDC’s Chief Strategy Officer and WTCSD Executive Director Nikia Clarke’s spotlight on San Diego’s competitive advantages, attendees heard industry insights from an expert panel moderated by Miguel Motta, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and San Diego Head at Biocom.

Representing some of the biggest brands and most exciting startups in life sciences, panelists Kevin Pegels, chief of global operations at Illumina, Sabrina Martucci Johnson, president and CEO at Daré Bioscience, Tamar Grossman, co-founder and CEO at La Jolla Labs, and Thierry Diagana, head of global health and California sites head at Novartis shared why they call San Diego home—and why you should, too.

What sets San Diego apart

San Diego is a top three life sciences market.
San Diego’s competitive advantages make it a world-class innovation hub—100 research institutions, 2,000 companies, 57,000 jobs, $1 billion in 2025 NIH and NSF funding, and a legacy as a global R&D powerhouse, bolstered by homegrown companies like Illumina, La Jolla Labs, and Daré Bioscience.

San Diego’s proximity to Mexico provides dynamic binational business opportunities.
Just 20 minutes south of downtown San Diego, innovative businesses can easily access additional skilled talent and Baja California’s manufacturing expertise in medical devices, manufacturing, and software. The Cali Baja region offers R&D and advanced manufacturing at scale in a single time zone.

Global players are already betting big on San Diego science.
From Novartis’ $1.1 billion research facility to Lilly’s new Gateway Lab to acquisitions and partnerships worth billions, pharma heavyweights in key international markets are investing in the future of discovery. Since 2015, San Diego’s life sciences industry has captured 72% of all FDI into the region, and the region captured $3.6 billion in VC in 2025 alone.

Interested in investing or locating in San Diego?

EDC and WTCSD work directly with companies—free of charge—to help them grow in San Diego. Contact our team today:

Becca Schulert
Becca Schulert

Manager, Economic Development

Javier De Leon
Javier De Leon

Sr. Manager, World Trade Center San Diego

Learn HOW WE CAN HELP

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – June 26, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of June 26, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Meet our Business Impact Awards keynote!

Join us July 23 for our second annual San Diego Business Impact Awards, in partnership with JPMorganChase. The event will feature a keynote from Jimbo Someck, Founder and President of Jimbo’s—an iconic local organic grocer and 2025 honoree driving meaningful economic growth in the region. Enjoy a night of meaningful networking, live music, and awards unveiling this year’s top innovators, rising stars, established heavyweights, and disruptive startups.

Secure your spot today!

Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – June 12, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of June 12, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

A note from our Sr. Director: A busy San Diego summer

There’s nothing sweeter than a San Diego summer: The days are longer, the weather is stunning, and there’s no shortage of reasons to get outside and reconnect. In true EDC fashion, our Annual Dinner was just the beginning—we’ll continue to bring together business and community leaders across our binational region all season long. We’d love to see you there!

More from Bree and EDC

Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

A note from our Sr. Director

By Bree Burris,

A busy San Diego summer

Dear EDC investors and partners,

There’s nothing sweeter than a San Diego summer. The days are longer, the weather is stunning, and there’s no shortage of reasons to get outside, reconnect, and spend time with the people who make this region such a remarkable place to live and work. While our summer calendars may be full, we know the best work happens when we make time to be together—to share ideas, drive momentum, and strengthen the partnerships that move our region forward.

Our Annual Dinner was just the start for EDC! This summer, we’re continuing to bring together business and community leaders from across our binational region to connect around the innovation, industries, and opportunities shaping San Diego’s future. We’d love to see you at one (or more!) of our upcoming events:

San Diego Business Impact Awards:

Nominations due June 18 | 4:00 p.m. Together with JPMorganChase, we’re celebrating middle market companies creating meaningful economic impact across San Diego County. We are seeking nominations from companies across all industries with exceptional year-over-year growth. Apply before end of day June 18.

  • Plus: Join us to celebrate our top honorees on July 23 for an awards presentation and reception at the Scripps Research Auditorium.

Invest in San Diego Breakfast:

June 22 | 7:30–9:30 a.m. As part of BIO 2026, we hope you’ll join EDC, WTCSD, GO-Biz, IQHQ, and the San Diego County Water Authority for a conversation highlighting San Diego’s globally recognized life sciences ecosystem to an international audience. Hear from an inspiring panel of executives from Illumina, Daré Bioscience, La Jolla Labs, and Novartis, moderated by Biocom’s Miguel Motta. Space is limited, register now.

Summer Bash

Save the date: September 23. EDC’s annual Summer Bash is back! Join us in celebrating San Diego’s innovation ecosystem together with Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Registration coming soon; reach out to me to explore sponsorship opportunities.

And into Q3/4: Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage, including our Quarterly Committees, Inclusive Growth Roundtables, and the launches of our Go Global 2030 Report and the Defense Innovation Roadmap.

Thank you for being part of our community and for the role you play in making San Diego life-changing. We’ll see you soon.

With gratitude and respect,

Bree Burris
Bree Burris

Sr. Director, Communications & Community Engagement

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – June 5, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of June 5, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Intesa partner reflects on EDC Leadership Trip to Chicago

Following EDC’s Leadership Trip to Chicago, Intesa Communications Group partner and delegation member Maddy Kilkenny reflected on the region’s progress toward our 2030 Inclusive Growth goals. The trip highlighted the power of cross‑sector collaboration and civic leadership, with Kilkenny adding, “Let’s roll up our sleeves and make some big plans for San Diego. Who’s with me?”

Read the Full Refelction

Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 29, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 29, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Nominate a company, celebrate your impact

Nominations for the 2026 San Diego Business Impact Awards are open and we want to celebrate you! If you are a middle market company with a proven track record of creating meaningful economic impact in the San Diego region, take just 15 minutes to complete the nomination by June 15. Early bird registration for our July 23 celebration now open.

Nominate a Company by June 15

Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

Intesa partner reflects on EDC Leadership Trip to Chicago

By Maddy Kilkenny,

Maddy Kilkenny, Partner at Intesa Communications Group, was part of the 40-person delegation for EDC’s Leadership Trip to Chicago—an annual effort to draw inspiration from peer metros and reflect on San Diego’s progress toward our 2030 Inclusive Growth goals. Intesa Communications Group is a women-owned and award-winning public relations and government relations firm trusted by many San Diego leaders, and a long time EDC investor, partner, and friend.

See below for Maddy’s reflections from our 2026 Inclusive Growth Leadership Trip to Chicago.

Anthony Bourdain once described Chicago as a city that “doesn’t ever have to measure itself against any other city.”

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to join San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. (EDC) on the 2026 Chicago Leadership Trip in the Windy City.

Each year, EDC brings together a delegation of about 40 public and private sector leaders to step outside our region, reflect on San Diego’s progress toward a more inclusive economy, and strengthen employer commitment to the 2030 Inclusive Growth goals.

From the moment we loaded the bus to our hotel, Chicago just hit different. Maybe it was the Midwest spirit. Maybe it was the confidence of a big city that knows exactly who it is. Or maybe it was the civic pride embedded in a place that grows its talent and its businesses from within—and expects a return on that investment in the form of shared responsibility to make Chicago better… For everyone.

Our delegation had the privilege to learn from the truth tellers of Chicago—leaders who spoke candidly about the city’s strengths, challenges and obligations to its residents. We heard from former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker; Derek Douglas and leaders from the Civic Committee; Beth Swanson of A Better Chicago; Jarquetta Egeston of Xchange Chicago; and so many other bright, talented Chicagoans working to strengthen the economy, improve education, confront systemic racism, and build a more equitable future for their region. What stood out most was the Chicago-first mantra they all shared—the mark of a city that loves its people and is loved in return.

I left Chicago with a personal challenge—and one I hope my fellow delegates carry home, too: How can we help make San Diego better? What role can we play in building an economy that works for all San Diegans? How can we collaborate more intentionally? How can we see through the divisiveness and stay focused on a greater San Diego for all?

None of the hope and inspiration that I brought home would have been possible without the incredible team at EDC. Lauree Sahba and Enya Castañeda planned every detail to perfection. Eduardo Velasquez delivered the data and context we needed. Dr. Nikia Clarke always asked the right questions. Sang Nguyen quietly herded us cats constantly from stop to stop. Bree Burris kept us on track. And of course Mark Cafferty needs no explanation—one of the best humans I know AND the one who got us into the Obama Presidential Center ahead of its public opening next month!

A special hat tip to Amy Liu from the Brookings Institute, who was the backbone of so much of the trip and an honorary San Diegan if there ever was one. And to my fellow delegates: you are some of the best and brightest we have in San Diego, and I was honored to share this experience with you.

The trip reminded me that regional pride has to be more than a feeling. It has to show up in how we work together, how we challenge each other, and how boldly we plan for the future. This is also how we do our work at Intesa. We show up for each other, our clients and for San Diego.

Now that I’m back, I’m ready to cheerlead for our region, for our home. Let’s roll up our sleeves and make some big plans for San Diego. Who’s with me?

Learn more about Intesa Communications Group and read the original blog publication here.

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 22, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 22, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

We share this week’s ‘Good News’ with thoughts of healing, peace, and remembrance. Though the news around us is so devastating, challenging, and heartbreaking, we are weekly committed to doing our small part to ensure that the darkness does not diminish the light that continues to shine on and through our community every day.

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

A note from Mark: Meet Our Life. Changing. honorees

Join us June 4 at Petco Park for EDC’s Annual Dinner: A celebration with our community of investors, partners, and leaders who make our work possible. Every year, we give out honors to an organization and individual whose commitment to the region’s innovation and economy shape the foundation that makes San Diego truly Life. Changing.

Meet the Honorees and Register Today

 

Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

A note from Mark: Annual Dinner Honorees 2026

By Mark Cafferty,

meet Our Life. Changing. Honorees

Dear EDC investors and partners,

As summer begins to draw near, our team at San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is eager to kick off many of our signature programs and events just around the corner. None bigger than our Annual Dinner, underwritten by Point Loma Nazarene University.

Held again at Petco Park as a celebration to the community of investors, partners, and leaders who make our work possible, EDC’s Annual Dinner has become a yearly moment of reflection for me—not just to take stock of the work behind us or ahead us, but to think of how much our mission continues to evolve and adapt to the economy and community we serve.

We give out two honors, dubbed our “Life. Changing.” Awards: Two words that capture the essence of San Diego in so many ways, and two words that have become a bit of a mantra for our work and the way we see and promote the region.

But before they took on their current title, the Awards were named in memory of two San Diegans who embodied the leadership that defined a rapidly growing region and economy. One, Duane Roth the indomitable promoter of San Diego innovation, science, technology, and entrepreneurship. The other, Herb Klein revered for bringing people together for the greater good and going above and beyond professional roles and responsibilities to move San Diego forward.

I have always been proud of the individuals we choose to recognize at our Annual Dinner, as with each passing year, the awards have become a more powerful reflection of the organization we strive to be, and the people and institutions that inspire us the most.

This year, we recognize the continued investment, growth, and innovation of ASML—an international technology giant with great history in San Diego, and one of the most important global players in the semiconductor industry fulfilling chipmakers’ needs from manufacturing to software.

We also honor Robert Gleason—local executive, community leader, civic treasure, and President and CEO of Evans Hotels, one of our region’s most important tourism companies, and an individual who has truly changed the San Diego economy and community through his advocacy, service, engagement, and activism.

Continuing to celebrate all that makes San Diego creative and innovative—while also celebrating what makes it welcoming, inclusive, and good—has become a highlight of our work and a gift to the community that surrounds us. It is at the core of what makes our work so special. It is the very foundation of what makes our region so Life. Changing.

I hope you’ll join us on June 4 at Petco Park for our 2026 Annual Dinner—another fun, meaningful, and beautiful night of camaraderie, friendship, and recognizing and appreciating the very best of who San Diego is.

Join us june 4

With gratitude and respect,

Mark Cafferty
Mark Cafferty

President & CEO

More from EDC

  • See our impact in our Monthly Report
  • Apply by June 15—EDC and JPMorganChase are back for the second annual San Diego Business Impact Awards! Nominate your company and celebrate your local impact
    • Save the date to celebrate with us on July 23; registration details to come
  • Learn about Cross Border Xpress’ regional impact and 2030 expansion plan in our latest Investor Spotlight

 

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 15, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 15, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Business Impact Awards 2026: Nominate a fast-growing company

EDC and JPMorganChase are back and ready to celebrate middle market companies driving the San Diego region’s success! Nominate a company by June 15 for the San Diego Business Impact Awards. Whether in tech, life sciences, or consumer products, honorees will be recognized for exceptional year‑over‑year growth and their impact in San Diego.

Learn More and Nominate a Company

 

Business information and resources page

Be in the know – sign up below to receive future editions of GNOTW.

Want to submit your event or news update to our weekly newsletter? Contact us for more information.

sign up for gnotw

Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications