Today’s newsletter is presented by Kaiser Permanente.
Hello, Downtown!
A hat tip and a heel click to the San Diego Tourism Authority for its clever wordplay devised to promote the city.
The word is: “ Flipfloptimism.”
Here’s the back story: the SDTA wanted to welcome the prestigious TED community to San Diego. TED is moving its annual flagship conference to the San Diego Convention Center on March 1, 2027. For TED’s last Vancouver shindig, the SDTA gave attendees multicolored flip-flops.
But not just any orange-and-yellow open-toed sandals. Flipfloptimism is a limited edition collection of biodegradable flip-flops made from plant-based polymers in partnership with local company Algenesis Labs.
Algenesis was spun out of UC San Diego. It’s a leading designer of high-performance footwear made without harmful microplastics. The company’s proprietary product is Soleic foam, which is used in Algenesis’ BLUEVIEW Shoes line.
What a smart promo gift for the audience of thinkers and innovators that’ll be coming to San Diego for TED 2027. I’m flipfloptimistic that the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Talks will be a hit in downtown San Diego.
BTW, I did a “TEDx San Diego” talk (the local version of the big league TEDs) in 2024 on the importance of independent local media. I still stand by the theme. In fact, If TED would like me to lead off the event in March 2027, I’ll happily wear a pair of Flipfloptimistics during an updated version of my speech. It’ll be called ”The Altruistic But Realistic Journalistic.”
Tell Algenesis I’m a size 11.
Ron Donoho
Downtown News newsletter host
Downtown story spotlight
‘Hunger Games’: Fed-up residents say Gloria’s proposed budget cuts pit them against each other
By Drew Sitton • Times of San Diego
Backlash to new fees defined city politics last year. But it turns out cuts to city arts and youth services aren’t any more popular.
Downtown News thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
More Downtown news
Downtown News thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here.
Sent to *|EMAIL|* Change email preferences | Unsubscribe
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* NEWSWELL. Our mailing address is: *|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|*