Funding to include $250,000 in sponsorship funding and $250,000 in in-kind marketing support.
The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) announced a partnership with World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 (WDC), to promote the cross-border region as a premier design destination and support a year-long slate of innovative programming.
San Diego Tijuana is the first U.S. location, and first cross-border region, to receive the World Design Capital designation. The World Design Capital is designated every two years by the World Design Organization. It recognizes cities for their effective use of design to enhance economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life. Recent recipients include Lille Metropole, France in 2020, and Valencia, Spain in 2022.
“The World Design Capital will spotlight our region’s art, architecture and intellect, elevate us as an international design destination, and inspire our community for years to come,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority.
The 2024 designation provides our region a year-long international showcase of design through unique experiences and explorations that stimulate thinking and bring our communities together to celebrate what makes San Diego Tijuana exceptional.
“The Word Design Capital brings people together to celebrate, exchange ideas, and demonstrate how cities can develop collaboratively, united by the physical spaces, economies, and cultures we share,” said Carlos de la Mora, CEO of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024. “We’re looking to showcase our region as a global destination for arts, culture, innovation and design.”
Under the partnership, SDTA will provide $500,000 in support, including $250,000 in sponsorship funding and $250,000 in in-kind marketing support. The San Diego Tourism Authority is a private non-profit 501(c)6 with funding derived from private source revenue and the San Diego Tourism Marketing District, a tourism improvement district.
The SDTA funding represents a significant part of the successful fundraising efforts currently underway. Partners and donors have already contributed more than $2.5 million for the year-long program and another $100,000 has been committed in-kind donations. This is in addition to the $3 million allocated by the City of San Diego to be received later this year.
World Design Capital programming will feature a series of public events, conferences, exhibitions, summits and celebrations, bringing together global leaders to exchange ideas and create opportunities to use design to solve some of the region’s most critical issues.
The calendar of events will include seven signature events in partnership with the World Design Organization, as well as community events that will help achieve program goals, demonstrate cross-border collaboration and promote design thinking.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.