Connect, Collaborate, Inform and Get Business at HIA-LI 23rd Annual Business Trade Show & Conference

    HAUPPAUGE, NY, April 12, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The largest one-day Business to Business Trade Show on Long Island is only a few short weeks away. The event, hosted by HIA-LI, the recognized voice for business on Long Island, in partnership with the Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT) and Suffolk County Community College, will feature prominent local and regional speakers, nearly 400 exhibitors from the business, technology, professional, educational and governmental segments, and an anticipated 4,000 attendees. The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 26 from 9 AM to 4 PM, at the Suffolk County Community College 60,000 square foot Sports & Exhibition Complex, Brentwood Campus. Early sponsors and exhibitors are getting ready to showcase their products and services - and now is the time to join them. More information for sponsors, exhibitors and attendees is available at http://hia-li.org/tradeshow2011/.

Trade Show Programming
With its theme of Connect, Collaborate, Inform and Get Business, the Trade Show combines timely programs with experienced speakers. The day begins from 8 AM to 10 AM with an Executive Breakfast led by the provocative and entertaining Ellis Henican, a Newsday columnist, Fox News political analyst and nationally syndicated talk radio host discussing "Take Charge of Change - Things that NEED to be Turned Around on Long Island."

The Trade Show floor opens and seminars begin from 9 AM to 4 PM.

At 11 AM, The Executive Luncheon session will discuss "What's in Long Island's Future?" with Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Charles (Chuck) Schumer have also been invited to make opening statements. Both Executive Programs will help CEO's and Business owners plan for present and future challenges on Long Island.

New Topics and Pavilions
"This year's Trade Show will feature new areas and pavilions that are vital to business growth and survival in this turbulent Long Island economy," said HIA-LI President Terri Alessi-Miceli. "We have an outstanding team of presenters and exhibitors who represent workplace, technology, government and education sectors. All tie into the critical area of Economic Development."

Among these Economic Development initiatives are programs on regional development and bringing more business to Long Island, as well as an unprecedented Financial Pavilion on the Trade Show floor. There will also be an Entrepreneur/Start-up Showcase.

From 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM the program titled "Regional Development Projects for the Emerging Market: New Towns, Downtowns and Transit-Oriented Development" will focus on areas and construction projects currently being developed on Long Island and will be moderated by Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island, a Smart Growth planning organization. This will give Long Island businesses the opportunity to hear where the up and coming business is.

"The session on the status of regional economic development will update Long Islanders on the small and large scale projects underway in the near term," said Mr. Alexander. "Downtown redevelopment and new town centers are the future of economic growth on Long Island. Over 4,000 units of housing have been approved adjacent to transit over the last five years, and we anticipate exponential growth in the coming years."

The Regional Development Project for the Emerging Market panel will be presented by Richard M. Bivone, Long Island Business Council; Larry Gargano, Greenview Properties; Yves Michel, Suffolk County Economic Development and Workforce Housing; Maria Rigopoulos, Mill Creek Residential Trust, LLC; and David Wolkoff, Heartland.

A second new and unique panel, "Give Long Island Companies the First Shot at Long Island Contracts," scheduled from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, is the result of a team effort to discuss how business can bid on Long Island. Moderated by Peter Goldsmith, Chairman of LISTnet, the panel includes Ed Eisenstein, CIO of Nassau County; Mitch Pally, MTA; and David Calone, a LIPA Board member.

"There has never been a more important time to keep businesses and projects on Long Island than there is now," said Mr. Goldsmith. "Because many entrepreneurs are involved in this process, we will provide information from the ground up on how to establish and maintain a successful business in today's economic climate. This session will focus on how government agencies and businesses on Long Island can work to give Long Island companies a fair opportunity to get awarded with their contracts, and help keep jobs on Long Island."

Recognizing the significant impact the current economic crisis has had on the finances of both businesses and consumers, HIA-LI has created a Finance Pavilion at this year's Trade Show and Conference. "The additional pavilion is intended to give attendees a better focus on resources in the financial areas," said Ms. Alessi-Miceli. "Within a single area, attendees can conveniently meet those exhibitors who can help them with finance-related matters."

The Finance Pavilion will include representatives from banking, insurance, CPA firms, law firms, credit card companies, collection agencies, alternative financing, financial planning, business financial consulting, and bookkeeping services.

A final and significant addition to this year's event is the inclusion of an Entrepreneur/Start-up Showcase that will highlight local start-up companies. Inventors and entrepreneurs are invited to participate in the Showcase.

The Conference agenda includes a combination of fee-based and free sessions. Because space is limited, reservations are required to attend fee-based sessions and events. To reserve space as an exhibitor or sponsor, go to http://hia-li.org/tradeshow2011/ or call HIA-LI at 631-543-5355. Those who wish to attend the trade show can avoid a walk-in fee by pre-registering at http://hia-li.org/tradeshow2011/.

Companies are invited to participate and their executives are encouraged to attend the HIA-LI Trade Show and Conference. Tickets are also available for attendance at the Executive Breakfast and Executive Luncheon. Additional information is available at http://hia-li.org/tradeshow2011/.

About HIA-LI
HIA-LI helps Long Island businesses prosper. For over 30 years, we have been the recognized voice for business on Long Island and a powerful force and economic engine for regional development. We provide a forum for business leaders to network, problem solve and obtain advice on critical issues facing their businesses. Our member companies represent tens of thousands of business professionals. We're headquartered in and support one of the largest industrial parks in the United States. HIA-LI programs and events promote strategic partnerships, targeted networking, and information sharing and business advocacy. Members benefit from our committees, educational programs, career resources, research capabilities, mentoring opportunities and business advisory services. For more information, visit http://www.hia-li.org or call 631-543-5355.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Anne Strauss, Communication Strategy Group, 1-866-997-2424, [email protected]

TRADE SHOW CONTACTS:
Terri Alessi-Miceli, HIA-LI, 631-543-5355, [email protected]

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