Giuliani to address Tijuana conference

Former New York City Mayor Rudoph Giuliani and “dog whisperer” Cesar Millan are among the celebrity speakers expected at next month’s Tijuana Innovadora event, an 11-day conference that seeks to showcase the city’s potential.

More than 200 speakers are scheduled from October 16 to 26 at the Tijuana Cultural Center, or Cecut. The panels focus on a broad range of topics--including child migration, municipal administration, female entrepreneurs, and traditional Mexican cuisine.

This is the third Tijuana Innovadora conference; the first was held in 2010 and the second in 2012, all with the aim of raising the city’s profile in a positive way. Entitled “Mexican Diaspora: The Talent that Flew North,” this year’s event also aims to focus on the contributions of Mexican-Americans on both sides of the border.

Invited speakers include CEOs, athletes, politicians and prominent physicians.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is scheduled to appear on a panel with Tijuana Mayor Jorge Astiazarán. On Monday, Faulconer endorsed the event as he stood outside San Diego City Hall together with Tijuana Innovadora founder José Galicot and executive director Jaime González Luna, and other Tijuana Innovadora supporters.

“My hope is that many San Diego companies and citizens will take the time to attend the event and make important and valuable connections,” Faulconer said. “That’s what Innovadora is all about, harnessing this energy, harnessing this expertise, harnessing this optimism that all of us share.”

Tijuana Innovadora includes culinary battles on Oct. 18 and 19 with participation of top chefs from Tijuana and San Diego. Also scheduled is a fashion show, InnovaModa, on Oct. 25.

Tickets for most events are $27, but Tijuana Innovadora also includes free worshops.

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