24 The QUEE NS Courier • JUNE 2, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Schneps Communications Queens Chamber of Commerce Con Ed New York Community Bank QCC Business Expo 2016 brought businesses together The annual Queens Chamber of Commerce Business Expo held on May 25 at Citi Field drew hundreds of businesses, both large and small, to the event. The day kicked off with a panel discussion sponsored by the New York Daily News and was introduced by QCC Board President Mayra DiRico, who opened with the top 10 reasons why Queens “warrants our love.” QCC Executive Director Tom Grech moderated the panel, noting in his opening remarks that “Queens used to be traveled through; now it’s traveled to.” The Q&A session focused on why Queens was chosen as a base for business expansion into the borough as well as observations about the borough’s ongoing growth and evolving demographics. Throughout the day, exhibitors expressed their enthusiasm for Queens as a growing business destination. Plaza College, for example, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and has seen the evolution of Queens over the past century. Provost Charles Callahan III explained, “Queens has moved from a strictly residential borough to a business borough.” John Pollock, senior vice president of Suffolk County National Bank echoed this sentiment. “We looked at expanding into Manhattan but said no, Queens is the market,” he said; the bank opened its Long Island City location last year. The Manhattan-based accounting firm of CohnReznick is another example of expansion into the borough. “We have locations in Westchester and Long Island,” explained Partner John Lanza, “but we want to be invested in New York City, and Queens rounds it out.” The expo featured more than 100 exhibitors with concurrent seminars held throughout the day on such topics as marketing, sales and business strategy, while keynote speeches were given by such notables as best-selling author Ellis Henican, John Bassett III and Ambassador Ron Kirk. Throughout the day, a Media Lab was open to get people up to speed on how to better utilize Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for their businesses. The positive response to the event, as well as for the QCC, was universal. Michael Laurie, a managing partner in the Mark Capital Group, has attended numerous expos. “This is a great opportunity to network, to see who’s out there,” he said. t it was not all business at the expo. Visitors could take a 45-minute tour of Citi Field, which included a visit to the clubhouse, dugout, press box and the Mets Hall of Fame. Mr. Met himself made an appearance for the Chamber-sponsored raffle, with prizes that included a corporate membership to the Chamber, two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere within the continental U.S. and a signed photograph of the 1986 World Series winning New York Mets. President DiRico wrapped things up: “I am so excited about the future possibilities and the growth of Queens. The Chamber is looking forward to working with local businesses. This expo is the largest of its kind and a sign of things to come.” Marquis Maintenance Webline Designs Astoria Bank Plaza College investors Bank NY Daily News Fidelis Care Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce Time Warner Cable
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