ATTENTION SDSI SOCCER FANS!
​​​​​​As you are probably aware, this was a big week for San Diego soccer fans, business people and citizens (tax payers!) The SoccerCity initiative was certified by the City… the 112,000 signatures put it over the top. Mayor Faulconer (a friend to SDSI) and Councilman Sherman both endorsed the project.

It is not our place at SDSI to get involved in politics, but it seems to me, that this project deserves our attention simply because of the soccer components. I am all for anything that helps get kids off their mobile device and on to the field of play, especially in large numbers. I believe the SoccerCity proposal will help do that, so I am on board. It also has so much more, including river park space and access to the trolley.  And can be done without taxpayer subsidy, which we know the public should and does care about.
 
The Council has two choices: approve the proposal outright or place it on a ballot. Here’s the tricky part: in order for San Diego to actually be considered by the MLS for an expansion franchise, action will be required this year, before the MLS board votes. The SoccerCity folks want this to go to a special election in November of this year. There is plenty of push back on this by those who oppose the opportunity. Delay past the MLS deadline means the end of this effort, and that would be a shame. The people should have a chance to vote on this...when it matters! So, whether you endorse the project or not, we should all care about the rights of the voters and the over 112,000 people who signed the SoccerCity petition. 

So what can we all do to help?  Here goes: 

• Get in contact with the Council and let them know how important the vote this year is and that you support it and the project.
• If you can contact your councilmember (either the councilmember where you live or where your place of business is) with this message, it will be very important to the success of SoccerCity.​​​​​​
• Calls, emails and letters are all good ways to communicate, and the more personalized the better.  Remember to include your name and address (anonymity isn't valued in a political world)
• The email, phone and mailing address for all Councilmembers can be found here. If you need to know which district you're in, please go to this link and look for the "find my council district" button. 

-Bob Rief​​​
Executive Director, SDSI
 

Bill Walton shares his love for San Diego Sport Innovators in this personal and heartfelt letter
The SDSI team was surprised to receive this humbling letter from our dedicated leader, Bill Walton. We can’t do justice speaking to it, so we invite you to read it directly. If you know Bill at all, you know it’s nearly impossible to thank him, but we will just go ahead and try. Thank you to our very dedicated Chairman Bill Walton for believing in SDSI and San Diego. We are grateful for your contributions and we are all better for having you as our leader.

Gateway ’17 presented by Alibaba – learn how to access China’s $900 billion ecommerce market
Join SDSI in Detroit on June 20-21 for the Gateway ‘17 conference hosted by Alibaba to learn about the China Market opportunity and how to sell to the China consumer. 2016 Online sales alone in China were nearly $900 billion, 18.4% of China’s total retail sales. If you are considering expanding into China this is an ideal opportunity to learn how Alibaba and its partners could make cross border ecommerce affordable and easier for you and your business. If you are an SDSI member and planning to attend, let us know so we can keep an eye out and make you feel welcome. Details and registration.

SDSI Welcomes new member Castle View Ventures
Roll & Chaiken Enterprises, LLC (dba. Castle View Ventures) is thrilled to become a member of SDSI. The management team has a long history in sports, particularly golf, having owned Carlsbad Golf Center for over 15 years. We are excited to expand our ability to serve the community of entrepreneurs through Castle View Ventures, a new form of incubation and 4PL services allowing young and establish to offload costly and cumbersome fulfillment functions such as receiving, assembling, warehousing, picking, packing, shipping, returns and customer service. In addition, Castle View Ventures evaluates companies for seed funding from our early stage fund and offers other strategic services such as business consulting, go-to-market and launch, co-working space, marketing and business development. More at roll-chaiken.com. Contact Pascal Stolz at pascal@roll-chaiken.com.
Three SDSI members named Most Admired CEO
San Diego Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO event recognizes our local industry leader’s great achievements within their companies and in the community. Congratulations to SDSI Advisory Board member Reid Carr, Red Door Interactive and SDSI Board of Director Members Baron Herdelin-Doherty, YMCA of San Diego County and Ken Schmitt, TurningPoint Executive Search. These executives have takin the lead in driving their business and the local economy. They will be honored at an awards reception on June 15.  Details and full list of finalists at SDBJ.com.

Three SDSI members named Fastest Growing Private Companies
Quiverr, Red Door Interactive and TurningPoint Executive Search have been named, by San Diego Business Journal, one of San Diego County’s 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies for 2017. Congratulations for your hard work and impressive growth. They will be honored at an awards reception on July 13. Details and full list of finalists at SDBJ.com.   

BLDG Active creates new category at retail – debuts on TransWorld Biz
Current SDSI Springboard participant, BLDG Active is gaining attention from TransWorld Business for its new, all natural, skin-regenerative wound care treatment targeted to the outdoor adventurer. The new topical solution contains hypochlorous (HCL), a molecule our white blood cells create naturally to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and help the body heal. Targeting outdoor athletes familiar with scrapes and burns, such as bikers, surfers and rock climbers, BLDG Active is creating an entirely new category at retail. BLDG Active just might be the next Stance of wound care! Read more at TransWorldBusiness.com.
 

Eagle Creek sponsors PCTA P3 Program

Eagle Creek, a leading travel outfitter, will be the newest 2017 sponsor of Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) P3 program. PCTA’s new P3 initiative (Protect, Preserve and Promote) highlights 10 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers to advocate responsible use of the Pacific Crest Trail. Eagle Creek is outfitting all 10 hikers with new gear launching at retail this July. Read more at Malakye.com.

ElliptiGO sells 20,000 bikes; releases two new models internationally

ElliptiGO sold its 20,000^th elliptical bike, marking a huge milestone for the business. The company also launched the Arc 3 and Arc 24 models throughout Europe. Bryan Pate, CEO of ElliptiGO said, “It took us more than five years to sell our first 15,000 bikes, but just over one year to sell the next 5,000.” ElliptiGO now offers six different models targeted at fitness enthusiasts, current and former runners, and anyone who is looking for fun, low-impact outdoor exercise. Read the full article at ElliptiGO.com.

Hookit partners with global media intelligence leader
Hookit’s new global partnership with Kantar Media combines efforts to provide sports clients with a single source for data and valuations for traditional, social and digital media - all while providing clients with analysis to optimize their brand placement and sponsorship in sport. “Brands who invest in sport need to be able to understand how their brand placement and sponsorship strategy can be optimized and we are delighted for Kantar Media and Hookit to partner on providing clients in the sport industry with real-time analytics, insights and valuations.” Read more here. 

Marco Thompson featured in SDBJ Top Tech Execs
As part of San Diego Business Journal’s Top Tech Execs 2017, SDSI Founding Board of Director Marco Thompson was profiled as a member of the Class of 2008. Then recognized for his expertise in software, hardware and funding overseas companies, nearly ten years later, the “semi-retired” serial entrepreneur said if he had to do it all over again he would have chosen an outdoor lifestyle and become a professional surfer. Read the full feature on page B9 in the May 22 issue of San Diego Business Journal.   

Speedminton launches new Beach Paddle Set
A new take on the traditional beach paddle game, Speedminton’s new Beach Paddle Set offers superior paddle quality and handling, due to improved shape - making it easier to pick up and play. Learn more and get yours in time for the summer beach season!

Sun Diego announces AM Slam Surf Contest Series
The four-part surf contest series presented by Vans, AM Slam is quickly approaching with all the excitement of previous years plus new added features! The contest will have live scoring updates for all the pro heats as well as a fully integrated surfer lounge for contest go-ers and their families. The series will also feature additional cash purse and prizes. For event dates and competition registration visit sundiego.com.
 

TurningPoint Exec Search celebrates 10 years; launches book
Led by SDSI Board of Director Ken Schmitt, TurningPoint Executive Search celebrates their 10th anniversary this month. "So much has changed internally and with the broader economy since we launched the business in 2007, and my team has done a phenomenal job scaling the business as we have evolved", says Ken whose company was once again acknowledged as one of "San Diego's Fastest Growing Private Companies" for the second year in a row!  Learn more at Turningpointexecutivesearch.com. 
 

Carlsbad office space for sublease – next door to The Make

A great office space (of a fellow SDSI member) in a prime Carlsbad location, is available for sublease. The 2,312 SF sublease opportunity ($1.48/SF/MO + CAM) is on Avenida Encinas across the parking lot from The Make - which houses GoPro. Flex Space with 16’ ceilings. Details available here. Contact Ricky James, rjames@voitco.com, at Voit Real Estate Services for more information.

Join #TeamCAF for Leadville Trail 100 MTB – help challenged athletes get in the game
Join The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, one hundred and three miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, you’ll be challenged to catch your breath — while the views try to take it away! By joining #TeamCAF, dollars you raise will help fund the adaptive equipment, training and mentoring needed to get challenged athletes in the game - and to the finish line. Details and registration.
 

Solana Beach Soccer Club team sponsorships now available
Providing youth recreational program since 1979 for children in kindergarten through 12th grade, The Solana Beach Soccer Club (SBSC) serves about 600 players with the support of generous sponsors, volunteer coaches and enthusiastic families. Interested in supporting these children and getting your logo on a youth soccer jersey? Learn more about sponsorship opportunities at solanabeachsoccerclub.com.

World Champion Peter Townend named coach of 2017 Chinese Olympic Surf Team

First-ever World Surfing Champion Peter Townend, is developing the first-ever Chinese National Surf Team to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games. The Chinese surf team debuted at the ISA World Surf Championship in France this month. Read more about surfing’s debut in the Olympics and the Chinese team.

Harness the Power of LinkedIn to Hire A-Players! 
Late last year, Ken Schmitt completed his first book, sharing recommendations based on his successes using LinkedIn as a hiring tool. "LinkedIn Hiring Secrets for Sales & Marketing Leaders" offers a complete strategy for building a high impact profile on LinkedIn, marketing your company's unique "employment brand" and ultimately connecting with and attracting the best candidates. While simply posting an open job on your website or a job board may bring you qualified candidates that are actively seeking a new job, maximizing your LinkedIn profile will expose you and your team to the passive candidates that are at the top of their game, but who will never see your job posting. Please contact Ken directly for an exclusive SDSI member discount on his book. 

Job Openings
Technology Marketing Specialist, Land Development, San Diego 
Business Development Executive, Professional Services, Tempe/Phoenix, AZ 
VP Business Development, International Trade Finance, Los Angeles 
Director of Brand Innovation, Telecom – Los Angeles 
Sr Sales Executive, CPG – Orange County 
National Sales Executive, Medical Products – Los Angeles/Santa Barbara 
Sales Executive, Industrial Products - SoCal 
Sales Executive, Building Products – AZ & Germany 

Challenged Athletes Foundation – Multiple Positions Available in Marketing and Special Events click for info 

Competitor Group – Multiple Positions Available click for info

ElliptiGO - Marketing Communication Manager click for info

ElliptiGO – Sales Operations Specialist click for info

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa - Multiple positions available click for info

Isle Surf & Sup - multiple positions, click for info

J!NX - Multiple positions available click for info 

KPMG - Multiple positions available click for info

Red Door Interactive - Multiple positions available click for info

SKLZ - Multiple positions available click for info

TurningPoint Executive Search is SDSI's resident expert for hiring, retention and job search. A San Diego native with more than 16 years of recruiting experience, President and Founder, Ken Schmitt is available as a sounding board who can share industry “best practices” with SDSI members.  

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Jun. 7 - SDSI Advisory Board Meeting at SeaWorld, 10am-12pm

Jun. 13 – SDSI General Membership Meeting 8:30-10am

Jun. 20 – SDSI Springboard 15 Minute Presentation #3

Jul. 25 – SDSI Board of Directors Meeting at Petco Park

Aug. 1 – SDSI Springboard Quick Pitch/Elevator Pitch Presentation

Aug. 9 – SDSI General Membership Meeting

Aug. 22 – SDSI Advisory Board Meeting 4-6pm

Sep. 12 - General Membership Meeting

Oct. 24 – SDSI Board of Directors Meeting at Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, 4-6pm

Nov. TBD – General Membership Meeting

Nov. 14 – SDSI Advisory Board Meeting

Dec. 12 – SDSI Holiday Party

Jun. 15 - SDBJ Most Admired CEO Awards, Del Mar CA, click for info

Jun. 17 - County Fair 5k, Del Mar Farigrounds click for info

Jun. 19-23 - San Diego Startup Week click for info

Jun. 22 - America's Finest Corporate Dash, Qualcomm Stadium click for info

Jun. 22 Cycling Safety Meeting with Nathan Fletcher, 6:00 PM at California Bicycles, contact nick@sdsportinnovators.com for info

Jul. 8 - Vans x Sun Diego Boardshops AM SLAM Surf Contest Series Event 2, Pacific Beach click for info

Jul. 13 SDBJ 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies Awards, Paradise Point, SD, click for info

Jul. 13 – 15 Agenda Long Beach click for info

Jul. 25-29 - Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, Salt Lake City, UT click for info 

Jul. 29 – Aug. 6 Vans US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach click for info

Aug. 3 - The Surfing Walk of Fame Induction Day, 10.00a.m., Huntington Beach Click for info

Aug 19 - Vans x Sun Diego Boardshops AM SLAM Surf Contest Series Event 3, Ocean Beach click for info

Sep. 13-15 - SFIA Industry Leaders Summit, Chicago, IL click for info 

Sep. 20-22 - Interbike, Las Vegas, NV click for info

Sep 30 - Vans x Sun Diego Boardshops AM SLAM Surf Contest Series Event 4, San Clemente click for info

Oct. 4 – TurningPoint Executive Search: Sales & Marketing Leader Award, Del Mar click for info