A Weekly Newsletter Promoting Monterey County:
Open for Business

Friday, June 7, 2019

Edition 795

MCBC Members-Only Luncheon 

Don't miss our June Members Only Luncheon with Assemblymember Robert Rivas
When: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, June 14
Where: Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course

We are excited to welcome Assemblymember Robert Rivas to our monthly members-only lunch. Assemblymember Rivas, who is in his first term, represents the 30th District which includes parts of Monterey and San Benito counties. Assemblymember Rivas will be discussing with MCBC members some of his current legislation for our district. Monterey County Business Council Monthly Luncheons are for MEMBERS ONLY. RSVP Now

MCBC 24th Anniversary Gala & Annual Economic Vitality Awards

Please join the Monterey County Business Council as we honor remarkable organizations for their contribution to our economic vitality. Our 24th Anniversary Gala & Annual Economic Vitality Awards will take place from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 29 at the Monterey Plaza Hotel.

2019 Honorees
Agriculture: Indus Holdings, Inc.
Creative & Technology: Monterey Bay Drone, Automation & Robotics Technology Team
Defense: The Center for Homeland Defense & Security / Naval Postgraduate School: Research on School Shooter Database
Higher Education & Research: Hartnell College: Dr. Willard Lewallen
Hospitality & Tourism: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Sustainable Building & Design: City of Monterey: Monterey Conference Center

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to headline Forbes AgTech Summit

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will headline the Forbes AgTech Summit in Salinas, June 26-27. The event brings together agricultural leaders, investors and entrepreneurs looking to find solutions for some of the world’s most critical food and agricultural challenges.
Other key speakers include Beth Ford, president and CEO, Land O’Lakes, Inc.; John Hartnett, founder and CEO, SVG Partners and THRIVE AgTech; Tom Nassif, president and CEO, Western Growers Association; Ertharin Cousin, former Ambassador to the UN World Food Programme and Distinguished Fellow at the Center on Food Security and the Environment, Stanford University and Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes. Learn more

Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in the running for top 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals in the U.S.

Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (MCBC member) is among the healthcare facilities in the running for the inclusion as one of the top 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals in the United States. The 10th annual contest, by healthcare staffing provider Soliant, spotlights hospitals that integrate aesthetics and dedicated staff as elements of beauty which contribute to the health and well-being of their patients. Soliant will donate $2,500 to the foundation of the hospital that wins the 2019 Most Beautiful Hospital title. Participants may cast multiple votes until the polls close on July 15. Vote here

Pentagon cuts some funding for DLI program

The Defense Language Institute in Monterey has cut one of its programs that help students immerse themselves in the language and culture they have studied. The Pentagon-ordered $4.5 million cut eliminates the immersion program that is considered by the military to be an important but not critical part of the Institute’s curricula. After receiving a Pentagon directive to reduce these so-called “temporary duty assignments” by 10 percent, the institute made an assessment and determined that cuts to immersion training would have the least impact to its overall training mission, Taylor said.
Immersion training is funded for the fiscal year 2020 and will continue at that time, he said. “There have been no changes to the majority of the DLI training program. Students scheduled to go on an immersion assignment are continuing to attend their classes at the Presidio of Monterey, where the DLI is housed, as usual, five days a week, seven hours per day.”
The immersion program’s goal is to expose students to accents and dialects of native speakers. Additionally, it helps students understand the sights, sounds and food of the region where the language is spoken.
The DLI is adjusting to the cuts by including as many students as possible into activities at DLI’s isolation-immersion facility where for several days students are isolated entirely from the English language. Read more
Source: Monterey County Herald 

Mann Packing to introduce Caulilini retail pack

Mann Packing (MCBC member) will debut its new Caulilini baby cauliflower 10-ounce retail pack at the United Fresh Produce Association’s 2019 Convention & Expo in Chicago, June 10-12.
“Caulilini baby cauliflower was an immediate hit with our foodservice customers when we introduced it last year due to its unique look, flavor and versatility,” said Rick Russo, Mann’s vice president.  “Consumers have been hounding us on social media asking when they can find it in their grocery store, which is exactly the demand we were hoping to create by giving it to chefs first.”
Caulilini baby cauliflower is an Asian-style variety that features long edible stems and blonde, open florets. The product is entirely edible — from flower to stem — and has a sweet, tender stalk that turns bright green when cooked. The product comes washed and ready to eat and has year-round availability. For retail customers, it will be available in a six 10-ounce pack.
Additionally, Mann’s Nourish Bowls Breakfast line, the Denver Scramble and Fiesta Scramble, was nominated for United Fresh Produce Association’s 2019 Innovation Award for Best New Vegetable Product. Read more
Source: The Produce News

Film Commission red carpet event showcases 'Big Little Lies' Season 2 debut

This Sunday, June 9, is the worldwide debut of HBO’s drama series “Big Little Lies, Season 2,” and to celebrate, the Monterey County Film Commission is holding a red carpet fundraiser, featuring a special screening of the first episode of “Big Little Lies, Season 2” at 6 p.m. at the Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza in downtown Monterey. Food and wine tasting, silent auction and a chance to mingle with local background extras, local businesses, and industry professionals who were involved with the production during its 34 film days at numerous Monterey Peninsula locations. Tickets are $85. RSVP

UPCOMING EVENTS

Special thanks to the County of Monterey for its ongoing support of the Monterey County Business Council's efforts for economic development and education.

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Founded in 1995, the Monterey County Business Council (MCBC) is a 501(c)(6) organization comprised of a diverse group of members representing all industries and geographic areas of Monterey County. It remains the only countywide organization focused on business advocacy, economic development and workforce readiness.

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