With the San Diego Bay as the backdrop, the organization representing the region’s waterfront businesses and workers unveiled a new name, logo and digital presence Thursday evening. The San Diego Port Tenants Association is now the San Diego Working Waterfront, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic and environmental vitality of the port tidelands in the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.
The San Diego Working Waterfront represents 800 waterfront businesses that employ 44,000 workers. More than 200 people joined at the Bali Hai restaurant for the launch event, including waterfront employees, city councilmembers from local port cities, and port commissioners Rafael Castellanos and Frank Urtasun.
After 35 years representing the businesses and industries along the bay, the new name and logo honors the organization’s roots and ensures its members will continue to have a strong voice in the port’s future. Find the San Diego Working Waterfront here.
“This is about redoubling our efforts to advocate for the economic and environmental vitality of the port tidelands,” said Sharon Bernie-Cloward, president of the San Diego Working Waterfront. “We are the people who power the port, and we are committed to speaking out for policies that help our waterfront thrive. When we preserve our port as a job-creator, we bring prosperity to our region and pride to our community.”
The San Diego Working Waterfront continues to represent industries and family-owned businesses including manufacturing; ship building and repair; shipping, cargo and trade; marinas; commercial and sport fishing; energy; the cruise ship industry; yacht clubs, aerospace and airport industries; recreation; the tourism and hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants and retail merchants; and the U.S. Navy.
“The businesses and workers on our waterfront are essential to the success of our port. The San Diego Working Waterfront’s education and advocacy efforts are crucial, and we consider them to be our partners,” said Dan Malcolm, chair of the Board of Port Commissioners. “This repositioning will give businesses and workers a louder voice within the debate of public policy.”
The San Diego Working Waterfront’s goals are to protect local bayfront and maritime jobs that empower the region’s families to succeed; preserve the waterfront as an economic force that can successfully compete with rival ports; be a source of civic pride that proudly represents the San Diego region to tourists and trading partners from around the world; and support trusted and family-owned businesses that have served local communities for generations.
“San Diego has changed a lot in 35 years but what’s remained the same is how important our working waterfront is to our economy and quality of life,” said John Laun, board chair of the San Diego Working Waterfront. “We want San Diegans to know that our waterfront provides enormous opportunities for thousands of our neighbors, and we look forward to working with the Port District to help these good-paying jobs thrive.”
The nonprofit went through a months-long effort to evaluate and update its strategic positioning to be a stronger advocate for the family-owned businesses, local industries, and thousands of workers along the port tidelands.
Businesses within the port district generate approximately $8.3 billion in regional economic impact, according to a 2015 analysis.
