Brooklyn's Progress
January 2003

At the beginning of 2002, the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York State Assembly secured funding for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  With this renewed funding, the Chamber was able to re-design Brooklyn Goes Global (BGG), so that it could provide more targeted marketing assistance to local manufacturers that are competing in a crowded and challenging marketplace.

Based on research and outreach to Brooklyn manufacturers, BGG  has shifted its programs to now focus on two leading industry clusters in Brooklyn: food and
furnishings - that is, ethnic and specialty food and beverage manufacturers and the designers and manufacturers of home and office furnishings.

A common message was heard from food manufacturers  --  trade shows are effective.  The Brooklyn Chamber will be taking manufacturers to specific trade shows in the U.S. that offer the most immediate and strategic opportunities.  All Brooklyn Chamber food manufactures will have the opportunity to exhibit under the organization's high-profile umbrella and strong marketing muscle--"Brooklyn Made" Pavilion.

The second message was that food manufacturers would like to meet other food
manufacturers to discuss and learn "tricks of the trade" from one another. BGG will be launching a multi-pronged edu-marketing campaign tailored to assist the specific needs of its clients. A series of networking seminars will be offered to Food Manufacturers' Only (FMO's).  The series will include educational and training seminars that have been created to increase sales, reduce costs and enable manufacturers to qualify to meet the most rigorous standards of major retailers.  Speakers will provide specific practical and techinical advice that will prepare food manufacturers to,properly prepare their product to enter choice retailers portals. 

During 2002, BGG launched a new online catalog of Brooklyn made goods called BrooklynMade.net.  This unique internet initiative links Brooklyn manufacturers to iBrooklyn.com, the award-winning website of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  Participating manufacturers can build their own catalog pages by providing descriptive text, pricing information and digital images through a user-friendly "back end" of the site.  Visitors to Brooklynmade.net -- both wholesale and retail buyers -- see the manufacturers' pages while they peruse an exciting sampling of the wide range of products designed and/or made in Brooklyn.

To assist the furnishing manufacturers in Brooklyn, in the spring of 2003, BGG will present "Brooklyn Designs"-a showcase of Brooklyn's best contemporary designers and manufacturers under one roof for a two-day exhibition.  The event will show an audience of tri-state New Yorkers the level of creativity and excellence that thrives in the borough. 

The show will take place in DUMBO at the Warehouse at St. Ann's at 38 Water Street from June 13-14.  The exhibitors will all be Brooklyn-based manufacturers and designers and will include companies like: City Joinery, Rico, Kea, Robert Martin Designs and Angel Zimmick Linens.

The Chamber has put together a steering committee that is exploring sponsorships as well as partnerships with the local design schools.  The show will be open to both design professionals and the general public.  For more information visit http://www.ibrooklyn.com/ or contact Karen Auster at 718-875-1000 ext 113.