April 1, 2016 Friday Facts

MCBC to host annual President's Dinner, Ag Innovation, High-Speed Rail and a Cash Mob.

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A Weekly Newsletter Promoting Monterey County:
Open for Business
Business Council Members identified as (BCM)

Friday, April 1, 2016

Edition 637

Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit focuses on innovations
A tractor that uses spatial and recognition features to seek out and thin weeds from in between delicate produce seedlings was among the state-of-the-art innovations rolled out by vendors at Wednesday's Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit. The Steketee IC inter-row cultivating machine uses cameras, LED lighting and a computer, and costs about $100,000.
But the all-day event, held at the Hartnell College Alisal Campus in Salinas, was about more than products: Students, business leaders, government officials and the people of the agriculture industry came together to learn about new technological innovations, share ideas and discuss the business of farming.
â€œItâ€™s an opportunity for the participants to learn and make connections,â€ said Steve McShane, summit advisory committee chair. â€œWeâ€™re bringing industry, government and technology together.â€
McShane, a Salinas city councilman, said the proximity of Silicon Valleyâ€™s high-tech industries and the Salinas Valleyâ€™s agriculture farmland has led to a marriage worth $5 billion this year.
The Hartnell College Alisal Campus students studying agriculture business and technology in addition to agriculture production, small farm operation and management, food safety and sustainable crop management, are discovering the programs that will prepare them for careers in the agriculture industry.
The day included panel discussions on topics including mechanization and machinery, ag tech startup, farm management software, and genomics and agriculture technology ramifications, among others.
Read t he full story online.
Source: Monterey County Herald

MCBC President to discuss ongoing and upcoming MCBC projects on local radio
Monterey County Business Council President Mary Ann Leffel will be a guest on the ShagBag radio program, at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 1 on 1460 am or 101.1 fm KION, hosted live from the Del Monte Golf Course Grill.
Leffel will discuss the ongoing work of the MCBC and its current and upcoming programs, including its promotion of the region as "Language Capital of the World" and the upcoming Language Capital of the World Cultural Festival in downtown Monterey, employment training money, and its upcoming Celebration of Small Businesses in Monterey County.

MCBC's Presidents' Dinner set for May 5

Each spring, the Monterey County Business Council hosts a private dinner with its voting members and members of the Higher Education and Research Competitive Cluster. This intimate Presidents' Dinner is a chance for members of the respective organizations to get better acquainted over fine food and wine. Due to the nature of this event, spouses and significant others are not invited and we only invite the leaders of our respective Higher Education & Research institution. This year's Presidents' Dinner, which will take place on Thursday, May 5 at the Naval Postgraduate School (BCM) ,commencing with drinks at 5:30 p.m. and dinner service at 6:30 p.m. Cost for voting members is $75 per person, and for $500 sponsorship you will receive two tickets, recognition at the event, on our website, and in Friday Facts. Deadline for ticket reservations and sponsorship opportunities is Friday, April 22.

For further information, please contact MCBC Executive Director Brian Turington. A special thank you to this year's intial sponsors: Alvarez Technology; Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss; and Scudder Roofing.

Break out the bills: Get ready for a Cash Mob
The Pacific Grove Economic Development Commission invites you to join them for its next Pacific Grove Cash Mob.
Show up at 6:50 p.m. Friday, April 1 in front of the Pacific Grove Art Center and plan to donate at least $10-$20 at the entrance. No other purchase is required.
The Pacific Grove Art Center needs community support after a substantial, unexpected rent increase. Help it move forward toward its 50th anniversary, and stay afterward to enjoy the festivities of First Friday: music, art galleries, entertainment, dining and shopping.
Email for details.

Pregnancy posting requirement effective today
Thanks to Scott Hauge, president of Small Business California, for an important reminder about a new California employer posting requirement taking effect today.
As of April 1, all businesses with five or more employees will be required to post information about the rights and obligations of pregnant employees. Click here to see the poster created by the California Fair Employment and Housing Council.

Slingshot to Success taking applications for Makeover 2016
The Slingshot to Success small business advocacy program, known for its 2015 $22,000 business makeover, is now accepting 2016 applications from business owners throughout the Monterey Bay Area region. This yearâ€™s makeover value has already reached $37,000 and continues to grow in value with services provided by a variety of local businesses who are committed to seeing their local community prosper. National Small Business Week is still a little over a month away and that means that the countdown has started for local business owners to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The official 2016 winner will receive a growing prize pack including items such as local SEO, business optimization coaching, advertising, bookkeeping, signage, marketing plan and more. Applicants have until April 29 to visit the SlingshotToSuccess.com website to submit their application for consideration.

Join us on a CalAsian Trade Mission to Shanghai

The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Commercial Service, are accepting reservations to join a trade delegation to Shanghai, China on May 1-8 for the 2016 SIAL CHINA â€“ Asiaâ€™s Largest Food Innovation Exhibition.

Targeted industries include food & beverage products from tree nuts and wine to specialty food products. food processing equipment, food and agriculture trade associations.

An estimated 66,000 visitors and over 2,900 exhibitors from 65 countries are expected to attend. Full participation is $3,900, sample exhibition is $2,000. Trip deposits are now being accepted. For program development information and travel logistics, email Jia Chen or phone (916) 446-7883 ext. 238.

High-speed rail focus of MCBC's April luncheon

Just what would high-speed rail mean for the Monterey Bay region and for the state?

Rod Diridon, Sr., emeritus executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, will discuss the foreseeable economic and environmental impacts of high-speed rail as guest speaker at next month's MCBC member luncheon.

Our April membership luncheon will take place from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Friday, April 8 at Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Club. Please note that MCBC's monthly lunch program is for members only and their guests.

Frequently referred to as the father of modern transit service in Silicon Valley. Diridon has chaired more than 100 international, national, state and local programs, most related to transit and the environment. From 1993 to 2014, he served as executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, a transportation policy research center created in 1991 by Congress. He frequently provides legislative testimony on sustainability. RSVP now.

The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) will host its Second Annual Regional Economic Summit on April 26, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey. This all-day event will highlight exciting and innovative collaborative efforts that are transforming the Monterey Bay region.

Expert Speakers. One of the nationâ€™s leading economists, Dr. Chris Thornberg will regale the audience with insights into key economic drivers for the region. John Hartnett, CEO and founder of SVG Partners, will moderate a panel of experts on how technology is transforming the business of agriculture. After lunch, Jen Grant, CMO of Looker, will dive into the next generation of Big Data, and Brian Kunz, VP of Project Development for First Solar takes us into the future of renewable energy. The afternoon will close out with Scott Kriens, co-founder of 1440 Multiversity, sharing insights into the new wellness center for our region. And Julie Packard, executive director and vice chair of the board of trustees at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Gary Griggs, Distinguished Professor at UCSC, will provide enlightening insights into our Blue Economy.
Reception with Monterey Bay Winemakers. At the close of the event, attendees can peruse the tables at the ES16 Marketplace while tasting regionally crafted wines. Martinelliâ€™s will also provide non-alcoholic sparkling ciders.
Tickets and Sponsors. Due to limited seating, this event will sell out in advance. Get registration and sponsorship information here.

Join MCBC in celebrating Small Businesses

The Monterey County Business Council will host "Celebration of Small Businesses in Monterey County" on Friday, May 6.

We will be honoring outstanding small businesses in Monterey County during National Small Business Week (May 1-7) with an award presentation with U.S. Congressman Sam Farr and panels of local lenders who will discuss ongoing loan and financing programs. A wine and appetizer reception will follow.

National Small Business Week is a time to recognize the critical contributions of Americaâ€™s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. These entrepreneurs and small business owners are working hard to grow small businesses, create 21st-century jobs, drive innovation and increase our global competitiveness.

These small business owners are the backbone of our economy and we invite you to help us honor their determination and entrepreneurial spirit!

Our "Celebration of Small Businesses in Monterey County" will take place from 3-5:30 p.m., Friday, May 6 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay, Seaside. Register here.

Thanks to our event sponsors:

Read past issues of Friday Facts on our website

Missed an issue of our weekly newsletter? Past issues of Friday Facts, the Monterey County Business Council's weekly newsletter, are now available on the MCBC website. If you are reading a forwarded copy of this newsletter, feel free to subscribe to get your own newsletter delivered free to your inbox each Friday.
And while you're at it, check out the benefits of membership and consider joining us in giving Monterey County businesses a voice.

And while you're at it, check out the benefits of membership and consider joining us in giving Monterey County businesses a voice.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Friday, April 8 â€“ MCBC Monthly Membership Luncheon (second Friday of the month), 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Club, Seaside. Special guest speaker Rod Diridon, Sr., emeritus executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, will discuss the foreseeable economic and environmental impacts of high-speed rail . Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. RSVP at eventbrite or call 831.216.3000. (BIO)

Tuesday, April 26 â€“ MBEP Regional Economic Summit, Hyatt Regency, Monterey. This all-day event will include expert speakers and panelists exploring and highlighting regional approaches and solutions on topics such as the AgTech Revolution and the Blue Economy in Monterey County. Early Bird pricing ends March 25. RSVP now.

SAVE THE DATE â€“ Friday, May 6: Celebration of Small Businesses in Monterey County with U.S. Congressman Sam Farr, 3-5:30 p.m., Embassy Suites Monterey Bay.

SAVE THE DATE â€“ Thursday, Oct. 27: Monterey County Business Council Annual Higher Education & Research Leadership Summit. 7:30-10 a.m., Monterey Marriott.

SAVE THE DATE â€“ Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017: Mark your calendar for next year's MCBC 22nd Anniversary Gala & Annual Economic Vitality Awards at the Hyatt Regency Monterey.