Brooklyn's Progress
December 2006/January 2007

BY HAROLD EGELN

The First Annual NY XPO for Business got underway at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on Nov. 29. New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was the keynote speaker at the event luncheon hosted by the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, New Bronx and Staten Island Chambers of Commerce.
 
“Nancy Ploeger [Manhattan Chamber of Commerce] and the presidents of the Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island Chambers of Commerce – Mark Kessler, Raymond Irrera, Lisa Sorin, and Linda Baran, deserve a big hand for bringing you all together," Mayor Bloomberg said to the more than 200 attendees who packed the room. "This is a five borough city, one whose future depends on our 200,000 small businesses, which employ close to half of our workforce in all five boroughs."
 
“When our small businesses are strong, our economy is healthy," said Mayor Bloomberg. "And, to illustrate the importance we place on growing New York's small businesses in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan, too, let me say just two words: Rob Walsh, the Commissioner of our Department of Small Business Services.”

“Over the past five years, Rob and his great team at SBS have done a superb job making that department more responsive to you and the communities you serve," the Mayor said.

It was during his address that Mayor Bloomberg held up Brooklyn Chamber Member Groundworks Limited, Inc. as his illustration of small business and services coming together.

“Groundworks, Inc., a landscaping company in Brooklyn, owned by Carmen DeVito and Alice Krieg,” the Mayor began, “And never forget that small business is big business,” he inserted.

“Earlier this year, they wanted to expand into the nursery business with some partners in Williamsburg. So Carmen went to the Brooklyn Business Solutions to explore what her financing options were and to seek help in finding real estate,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Today, thanks to their [Solutions Center] help, and with a loan from North Fork Bank, they've built a new greenhouse, and added to their payroll,” Mayor Bloomberg explained.

"Carmen's with us today, seated at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce table, and ready to take your orders for holiday wreaths and mistletoe. Carmen, congratulations!"

“Mayor Bloomberg is one of the most business friendly mayors of this city in my memory,” said Mark Kessler, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

“The Mayor was very good and his remarks very apropos. He's always right on the nail,” said Chamber Member Patrick Condren, Executive Director, 86th Street Bay Ridge Business Improvement District.

Each of the five Chambers maintained their own booth at the NY XPO. The event highlighted over 350 businesses and resources.

The Brooklyn Chamber’s booth buzzed with activity all day, with several staffers on duty to inform people of the Chamber's work and to seek out new Members.

Chamber Member Erica Kalick, founder, Erica’s Rugelach and Baking Company, added her touch to the booth with samples of the popular pastries available to anyone who stopped by.

“It's the best rugelach I ever had in my life,” two attendees were overheard saying.

“The networking is very good here,” said Claudio Sal Airo, Financial Services Professional, New York Life Insurance Company, who was one of several Chamber Members who attended the XPO. “There are excellent opportunities here.” 

The NY XPO also featured 32 roundtable discussions and seminars; a morning breakfast by WCBS-TV and a networking party to close the event.