Food Insecurity

Fostering Economic Growth and Efficiency: Why Long Island’s Largest B2B Trade Show on May 23 is More Than Just an Event

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I am extremely proud of the role HIA-LI plays in bolstering Long Island’s $200 billion economy through our annual Business-to-Business Trade Show and Conference. This event isn’t just a gathering; it’s a dynamic forum for vital economic discussions and a catalyst for business collaboration. Each year, we witness how this trade show has evolved into an influential platform where businesses come together not only to showcase their offerings but to engage in meaningful dialogues about innovation, efficiency, and profitability.

It’s about more than just networking — it’s about empowering businesses to reimagine their branding, streamline their operations, and enhance their market presence. This year, as we host our 36th annual trade show on Thursday, May 23, at the Suffolk Credit Union Arena at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood, we continue our commitment to advancing these critical conversations.

With over 250 exhibitors from diverse sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and healthcare, we are setting the stage for over 4,000 business professionals, including decision-makers, upper management, and industry leaders, to discover new products and services, forge strategic partnerships, and uncover new avenues for growth. Our collaboration with Sands New York, returning as the Title Sponsor, underscores our dedication to integrating local businesses into the broader economic framework, facilitating a shared journey towards sustainable regional development.

Connecting Businesses and Creating Opportunities

As we move forward with preparations for this major event, our focus remains on creating a vibrant gathering that provides all participants with unparalleled opportunities to engage, learn, and succeed. It’s a platform for businesses to forge valuable connections, share insights, and work together to advance the region’s economy.

Our break-out sessions include two Sands New York procurement workshops that aim to connect local businesses with Sands staff, integrating local suppliers into their procurement process. It’s an incredible opportunity for regional businesses to access new opportunities and build lasting relationships.

Celebrating Innovation at the Executive Luncheon

I’m particularly excited about our Executive Luncheon, “Economic Development Projects Changing Long Island’s Landscape,” from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Moderated by Marc Herbst, Executive Director of the Long Island Contractors’ Association, this session will feature opening remarks by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Sands New York Senior Vice President Tracey Edwards.

Our distinguished panelists include:

We’ll discuss transformative projects like Shoregate in Bay Shore, Station Yards in Ronkonkoma, and Midway Crossing, also in Ronkonkoma. These initiatives, collectively, promise to reshape our region’s economic future by creating jobs, fostering growth, and enhancing Long Island’s appeal for young professionals.

Engaging Sessions and Networking

In addition to the luncheon, attendees can look forward to a full schedule of complimentary break-out sessions, including:

  • “From Retail to Revitalization: A Seminar on the Transformation of Smith Haven Mall”
  • “Expanding Your Network”
  • “From Clicks to Conversations, Strategies for Direct Response Marketing Success”

Plus, our morning and afternoon “Speed Networking” sessions will help participants make rapid-fire connections with other business professionals.

Industry Pavilions and More

Our special industry sector pavilions offer an added focus into key industry sectors:

We also encourage attendees to bring non-perishable food items for Long Island Cares, helping us combat food insecurity in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Pre-Registration and Sponsorships

Pre-register for the event at www.HIA-LI.org to avoid the $10 same-day walk-in fee. For exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, contact Anthony Forgione at aforgione@hia-li.org or 631-543-5355.

Let’s celebrate Long Island’s vibrant business community, make valuable connections, and explore new opportunities. I look forward to seeing you there!

Navigating the Future: Insights from the 30th Annual Long Island Economic Summit

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Pictured: A view from the dais at the February 15, 2024 30th Annual HIA-LI Long Island Economic Summit.

The 30th Annual Long Island Economic Summit, held on February 15, 2024, began with a clear message: Long Island “is a good place to do business.”

This year’s summit, drawing on the findings of the 2024 Long Island Economic Survey conducted by Adelphi University and Citrin Cooperman, brought to light the resilience and adaptability of our local business community. Business leaders across both counties – who were surveyed between November 1, 2023, and January 15, 2024 – made it quite evident that despite some hurdles, there’s a strong sense of optimism about doing business here. The event served not only as a platform for analysis and discussion but also as a beacon of positive expectations for the region’s economic landscape.

I’d like to summarize the findings and share some of the analysis from the summit’s distinguished panelists.

Survey Highlights

  • Taxes, retention of young talent, and inflation are a major concern for most businesses.
  • Long Island businesses seem hesitant to explore the benefits of AI compared to the rest of the country.
  • Supply chain issues, though not as extreme as years past, continue to linger.
  • Compensation, human resource issues, and workforce development remain a high concern.
  • Confidence in government’s role continues to deteriorate, however Long Island continues to be perceived as a good place to do business.

The Role of AI

Panel moderator John Fitzgerald, Managing Partner at Citrin Cooperman, noted the mixed feelings surrounding AI, pointing out that “Long Island businesses seem hesitant to fully explore the benefits of AI compared to the rest of the country.” This underscores a crucial area for potential growth and innovation.

To help meet that need, HIA-LI will be partnering with the LIA in an April 3 Long Island Artificial Intelligence Conference. The goal of the conference is to bring businesses, entrepreneurs, academia, not-for-profit organizations, and government officials together to discuss how our region can play a leading role in the development and implementation of AI technologies.

For more information, go to www.LI-AI.eventbrite.com.

Government Support

Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein, VP and Chief Public and Community Health Officer at Catholic Health, stressed the importance of government support, especially when it comes to healthcare reimbursements. “We need more help in terms of increased Medicaid and Medicare revenue,” he said. “Nobody would go into one of your businesses and say I want services, but I’m only going to pay you 60 percent.”

Food Insecurity

Paule Pachter, President and CEO of Long Island Cares, and an HIA-LI board member, emphasized the critical challenge of food insecurity on Long Island, stating, “A family of four who’s earning $60,000 or $70,000 a year are finding themselves going to food pantries or going to food banks to ask for some assistance. They don’t need everything. But they need some things in order to stretch their budget.”

Economic Outlook

Jeffrey Barber, Executive Vice President of Dime Community Bank, provided an insightful perspective on the economic outlook, highlighting the financial landscape’s strengths and potential growth areas. He noted, “There’s a tremendous amount of liquidity in the market. Many companies sat on those funds during COVID and didn’t know where things were headed.” He added some good news, “They’re now at a point where they’re comfortable spending and creating jobs.”

Talent Retention

Rich Humann, President and CEO of H2M architects + engineers, and an HIA-LI board member, discussed the ongoing challenge of retaining young professionals, underscoring the importance of creating connections, opportunities, and a compelling work environment to encourage talent to stay on Long Island. “Our responsibility as business owners is to provide the kind of environment and opportunity that would keep people with companies like ours.”

Higher Education

MaryAnne Hyland, Dean of the School of Business at Adelphi University, added to the discussion on talent retention by emphasizing the need for higher education institutions to adapt and innovate in preparing the workforce. “We need to make sure that we are providing students with programs that provide cutting-edge knowledge and skills that focus on the demands of the workforce of today and tomorrow,” she stated, highlighting the critical role of education in workforce development.

Moving Forward: A Collaborative Vision for Growth

The 2024 Economic Survey, coupled with the insights from the Economic Summit, paints a picture of a region at the threshold of significant growth, buoyed by optimism, yet mindful of the hurdles that lie ahead. The collective wisdom of the panelists, alongside the statistical data, underscores the need for collaborative efforts in innovation, government support, and talent retention strategies.

As we look to the future, the path for Long Island is clear: leveraging the insights and optimism shared at the summit to foster an environment where businesses and communities can thrive. With a commitment to addressing the highlighted challenges head-on, Long Island is poised to navigate its economic journey with resilience and vision.

You can read the full 2024 Long Island Economic Survey here.