|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table of Contents
CanDiego Launch Announcement
For
Immediate Release
Canadian Professionals in San Diego to launch
CanDiego association with Canada Day event.
SAN DIEGO,
Calif.: June 14, 2006 - Canadians form one of the largest groups of professional
immigrants in the San Diego area, but they have not had a comprehensive association
in San Diego until now. CanDiego is a new association that provides Canadian
ex-pats and friends of Canadians a forum for maintaining strong social and
professional networks. CanDiego was established by a volunteer group in San
Diego comprised of alumni association representatives and graduates from various
Canadian universities.
San Diego is home to tens of thousands of Canadian immigrants. Many hold advanced
degrees and contribute to the region's high-tech, wireless, biosciences, and
other important industries.
"Since the number of alumni in San Diego from any specific Canadian university
is typically too small to maintain its own alumni association, I saw an opportunity
to connect Canadian university alumni in San Diego through one consolidated
professional network" explains Thor Berggren, the San Diego-based alumni
representative of Simon Fraser University. "I spoke with other local Canadian
university alumni and alumni representatives including Julie Wright,
Chris Montgomery, and Beth Collins. They also saw the opportunity
and offered to help, and so CanDiego was formed."
Membership is free and registration to receive event notices can be completed
online at CanDiego.org.
Inaugural Event Information
CanDiego is organizing a number of events starting with an inaugural Canada
Day Happy Hour Reception at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, 5010 Mission
Center Road. The celebration will be between 6 and 8 p.m. on July 1, 2006
and staff from the Canadian Consulate in San Diego will also attend. Over
150 people have already confirmed attendance. For more information, or
to join CanDiego, visit www.candiego.org.
Background Information
One million Canadians call California home, while the trade relationship between
Canada and California generates over $28 billion in bilateral trade. There
are up to 40,000 Canadians in the San Diego region.
About CanDiego's Founders (June 14, 2006)
Thor Berggren is a graduate of Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada
and holds an honors degree in Electronics Engineering, which included a concentration
in business management. He has 16 years experience specializing in the wireless
telecom and healthcare sectors. Berggren has worked for companies including
GTE, ADC, and Cardinal Health managing teams in marketing, sales, and engineering.
He has resided in San Diego since 1997 and is also the local alumni representative
for Simon Fraser University. Berggren can be contacted by email at thor@candiego.org.
Chris Montgomery is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario
and its San Diego alumni rep. Also a graduate of the University of Toronto,
Chris was born in the U.S., but lived in Canada for 20 years. He has resided
in California since 1999. He has been at the forefront of digital music revolution,
holding positions at BMG Entertainment, Diamond Multimedia and as CEO of MP3.com
Europe. Chris currently provides strategic consultation to the entertainment
industry.
Beth Collins is a UBC Commerce graduate. Post-graduation, she began
a southern migration to San Francisco where she worked as a biotech equity
analyst. One of her stock picks inspired a move further south to San Diego
to join Amylin Pharmaceuticals. At Amylin, she evaluates and negotiates product
and corporate licensing and acquisition opportunities. On weekends, she works
with Habitat for Humanity. She's excited about her new role as the UBC Alumni
representative and bringing such a large group of locals together with CanDiego..
Julie Wright is President and Founder of (W)right On Communications,
a full-spectrum communication firm with offices in San Diego County and Vancouver,
Canada. Wright has over 14 years of experience in public relations, marketing
and journalism and holds a Bachelor of Arts from UBC and Master of Arts in
Journalism from UWO. She serves on the Board of the San Diego North Economic
Development Council as Director and Treasurer, and has served on numerous
task forces and committees to help local non-profits such as California State
University San Marcos, North County Health Services and Interfaith Community
Services. She can be contacted by email at julie@candiego.org.
Media Contacts
Thor Berggren CanDiego Co-Founder and Organizer thor@candiego.org
Julie Wright CanDiego Public Relations julie@candiego.org
More info at www.candiego.org.
###
