This Is Queensborough - July 2018

this is...

July 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 7

MASPETH FEDERAL

BANKING IN ...AND ON...

COMMUNITIES

MARKETING THE EXPERIENCE AT QUEENS CENTER MALL “We’re really a community company that happens to do some banking.”

PRESIDENT & CEO THOMAS RUDZEWICK

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PAGES OF COVERAGE OF THE QUEENS CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR AFFORDABLE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

On June 19, the U.S. Depart- the Employee Retirement Income ment of Labor (DOL) expanded Security Act of 1974: access to affordable health cover(5) The term “employer” means age options for Amerany person acting directica’s small businesses ly as an employer, or and their employees indirectly in the interest through Association of an employer, in relaHealth Plans (AHPs). tion to an employee benThese plans work by efit plan; and includes a allowing small busigroup or association of nesses, including selfemployers acting for an employed workers, to employer in such capacband together by geogity. raphy or industry to TOM SANTUCCI Previously, “employobtain healthcare cover” was more narrowCHAIRPERSON erage as if they were ly defined and disala single large employer lowed associations to under the Affordable Care Act be included. The DOL has now (ACA). In sum, this is a huge confirmed that employers desirstep for Chambers of Commerce, ing to form an AHP “must consist whereby they may now offer health of employers engaged in either insurance to their Members. the same trade, industry or line of Legal Basis business, or have a principal place This expansion of coverage to of business in the same region that allow AHPs all hinges on the inter- does not exceed the boundaries of a pretation of the word “employ- single state or a metropolitan area” er” as defined by section 3(5) of (which may include more than one

state).

Further, the association must have a least one substantial business purpose unrelated to offering and providing benefits, even if the primary purpose of the AHP is to offer coverage to the group.

The other purpose could be education or promotion of the industry, but it should be a viable entity even in the absence of acting as a sponsor of an AHP. It is allowable to have a pre-existing group or association to form an AHP as a wholly owned subsidiary to administer the health plan.

Who is Covered?

Only employees and former employees of Chamber Members (and their families) are permitted to participate in AHPs. However, if certain conditions are met, selfemployed owners, such as soleproprietors, may elect top act as employer members of an association and be treated as employees of their businesses for purposes of

being covered by the AHP. Working owners generally must work at least 20 hours per week or 120 hours per month (or less).

AHPs will not be able to charge different premiums to employees based on their health status and will not be able to charge employers different rates based on the health status of their employees.

Conclusion This is a monumental decision for the Queens Chamber of Commerce. As an owner/operator of a small business, I know, as do many others, the challenges of providing health insurance for my employees.

Often, this is the single greatest overhead cost. By permitting small business owners access to health care via Membership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce, we can alleviate a significant burden to the Members and further increase our overall Membership. This, in sum, creates a greater pool for business development and opportunity.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO THIS YEAR’S BUSINESS EXPO PROVES TO BE OUR LARGEST The past two months have been cific panel discussions, and over two of the most action packed 1,500 visitors. Further, we were so the Queens Chamber has seen. We excited to have former Met Dwight have produced or partnered in over “Doc” Gooden join us and greet 30 events specifically tailored to exhibitors and guests. business development, and plan The breakfast panel, “Planes, to continue this trend Trains, and Autothroughout the summobiles: A Queens mer.

Perspective,” was a Some noteworthy who’s-who of indusevents were: The try leaders: Andy Future of Retail, ChiByford (President, nese business-owners MTA/NYCT), Seth delegation, Queens Pinsky (President, Chamber Subway RXR Realty), Mark Series, Queens ManScheinberg (Presiufacturing Consordent, Greater New tium, social media York Automobile seminars, OSHA THOMAS J. GRECH Dealers Associatrainings, and most- PRESIDENT & CEO tion), and Lysa Sculrecently, the Queens ly (General ManBusiness Expo! ager, LGA). Their This year’s Expo, our largest insight into upcoming projects and annual event, was a great success. developments was extraordinary.

We had 135 exhibitor tables, a I want to sincerely thank all sold-out breakfast sponsored by the exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees NY Daily News, five industry-spe- for your participation and help!

UPCOMING EVENTS • Wednesday, July 11 – “Queens Night” with New York City Futbol Club • Wednesday, July 18 – Queens Chamber Annual Boat Trip • Thursday, July 16 – New Mem-

ber Orientation and Training •Thursday, September 24 – Queens Chamber Annual Golf Outing For a full schedule of events, please visit queenschamber.org.

Mets legend Dwight “Doc” Gooden poses for a photograph with Queens Chamber of Commerce staff members.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS QUICKLY Court paves way for city to implement styrofoam ban The city’s styrofoam ban will go into effect by January 1, following the dismissal of a lawsuit preventing the implementation of the ban.

Food service establishments, stores, and manufacturers may not possess, sell, or offer foam food-service articles or loose fill packaging, such as “packing peanuts” in New York City.

Over the next six months, the de Blasio administration will work with businesses to ensure they understand the law and help them transition to new materials to replace foam products.

After consultation with corporations, nonprofits, vendors, and other stakeholders, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) determined that EPS Foam cannot be recycled.

DSNY also determined that there currently is no recycling market for post-consumer expanded polystyrene collected in a curbside metal, glass, and plastic recycling program.

“As we had previously determined, expanded polystyrene cannot be recycled,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “The court decision will allow us to remove this problematic material from our waste stream.”

Beginning in the fall, nonprofits and small businesses with less than $500,000 in revenue per year may apply for hardship exemptions from the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) if they can prove that the purchase of alternative products would create undue financial hardship.

ConEd gives LED light bulbs to city Food Banks

Con Edison is providing Food Banks in New York City with 200,000 high-efficiency light-

bulbs for distribution to residential customers.

The light-emitting diode bulbs will save an estimated 7,100 megawatt hours of power per year. That would prevent more than 5,000 tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere, the equivalent of taking 1,100 cars off the road.

Each Food Bank will get 25,000 four-packs.

“This program fits nicely with the goal of the Food Banks,” said Vicki Kuo, director of Energy Efficiency for Con Edison. “The bulbs will help these Con Edison customers reduce their electric usage and save on their monthly bills.”

The Food Banks will work with affiliated organizations to distribute the packs to residential customers of Con Edison who meet income guidelines.

Vet service named “Small Business of the Month”

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato presented Rockaway Beach Veterinary Services with an Assembly Citation and recognized them as her “Small Business of the Month” for its work with rescue groups and charitable organizations and numerous mobile adoption events.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ........................................6

Chamber Has Full Summer of Events .....................................................................19

Private Security Adapting to 21st Century Needs ....................................7

Partners & Affiliates News and Happenings ........................................................23

COVER STORY: Putting the “Community” in Banking ......................8

Chamber Welcomes New Members .........................................................................29

Queens Botanical Garden Honors Flushing Bank’s Grasso .................9 Experiential Marketing at Queens Center Mall ......................................10 Queens Chamber Hosts Future of Retail Symposium .........................12 Coverage of the 2018 Business Exposition ........................................14-18 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

CHAMBER EDITOR MARKETING DIRECTOR Brett Swanson John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

QUEENS QUICKLY

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Cuomo authorizes LGA AirTrain With the stroke of a pen, a rail line connecting LaGuardia Airport to Willets Point is one step closer to reality.

This week, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that authorizes the state to acquire through eminent domain the property needed to build the LaGuardia AirTrain.

The bill passed the Assembly and State Senate last week before session ended.

According to reports, the proposed two-mile corridor does not go through private property, and eminent domain would only be needed on land that is controlled by city or state agencies.

LaGuardia Airport general manager Lysa Scully spoke about the importance of the AirTrain at a transit panel hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Coincidentally, the event was hosted at Citi Field, across the street from the Willets Point station.

“If we can build the AirTrain and provide that access and reduce congestion and speed travel times, we’re looking at a 30-minute guarantee from Midtown Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport,” Scully said.

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The $2 billion AirTrain would connect passengers to both the Long Island Rail Road and the 7 train at Willets Point.

LaGuardia is currently undergoing an $8 billion transformation, which Scully said would be complimented by rail transit infrastructure.

“It’s [about] getting more cars off the road so we can smooth the travel of those who need to get to work and others,” Scully said. pet.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS “Kathy Riddle is an icon in this where she was hired as deep roots in Queens, will retire.

Liberty Coke VP Coca-Cola area of behavioral health,” said an account manager.

Riddle, who will continue to honored Pantin.

“I vow to continue the Fast-forward 17 years and five serve Outreach in a part-time, adviDayra Azcona-Marin, vice president of Sales at Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, was presented with the Corporate Leadership Award at the Dominico-American Society of Queens 25th Anniversary Gala. For nearly five years, Azcona-Marin has led a team in the greater tristate area in marketing, sales and execution of Coca-Cola’s vast portfolio with consumers, customers AZCONA-MARIN and strategic partners.

Azcona-Marin spoke about the adversities she experienced in her personal and professional career, and how she overcame them, a great deal of which she attributed both to her mother, as well as working for a company that has offered her so many opportunities.

“I am who I am because of her,” she said of her mother. “Every time I felt like giving up, I always thought about how her work ethic and determination kept our family going.”

Azcona-Marin was born in the Dominican Republic to a family of 12 children. After losing her father when she was just three years old, her family began immigrating to the United States at different times in search of a better future.

Azcona-Marin, the second youngest of her siblings, joined them when she was 15. She finished high school in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

She saved for college by working at McDonald’s, which allowed her to enroll in Middlesex Community College for two years and then return to the Dominican Republic to complete her bachelor’s degree in business administration.

After returning to New Jersey, where her family still owns and runs a number of bodegas, and working at McDonald’s again, this time as a store manager, she decided to apply for a position with

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promotions later, she is now a vice president at the Coca-Cola bottler that serves the largest Hispanic population in the nation.

“I believe you get what you put into the effort,” said AzconaMarin. “The Coca-Cola Company provided many opportunities, but it was up to me to make the most out of those opportunities.”

She is proud to work for a company that invests in their employees and in the communities they serve.

She also hopes to inspire the young women she works alongside, both at work and in her community.

“I want young women to know that no matter how many obstacles you may face, with hard work, perseverance and a support system, you can make your dreams a reality,” she said.

EXIT realtors recognized EXIT Realty One’s Annie and Steve Agardi were awarded the Quantum Leap Award, which recognizes realtors for success achieved through implementation of the Ultimate Real Estate Success System.

“Annie and Steve have hard, STEVE & ANNIE worked and this award AGARDI is well-deserved recognition of that effort,” said Craig Proctor, founder of The Ultimate Real Estate Success System.

The Agardi’s are on the mission to raise $15,000 for St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside by donating a portion of the income from each deal they close.

Outreach CEO stepping down After 39 years, Kathleen Riddle, founder, president and CEO of Outreach, the non-profit substance abuse treatment organization with

sory role, announced her retirement in Spring 2018, while also introducing her successor, Debra Pantin, former CEO of VIP OF Community Services.

“It is with mixed emotion, joy, pride, sadness and relief that I step back from my lead role at Outreach,” said Riddle. “Serving as the leader of this incredible organization has been the greatest honor of my life.”

Following an extensive executive search and Board selection process, Pantin joined RIDDLE Outreach in early June, working with Riddle, who will formally step down on June 30.

Kathleen Riddle’s vision began more than 40 years ago when she recognized the need for adolescent treatment while working in the New York City school system as a drug counselor for a Queens middle school.

Outreach began in a Glendale storefront with three employees and a $60,000 budget. Originally named “Outreach Project,” staff members worked in the communities of Eastern and Western Queens, visiting and engaging individuals who were struggling with addiction, and connecting them to treatment.

Outreach opened New York State’s first specialized residential substance abuse facility to serve children as young as 12 years old in Ridgewood.

The nonprofit has grown into a nationally recognized organization with eight primary locations, 300 employees and a budget of $24 million, serving more than 4,000 people annually.

Rallying the construction and real estate industry and trades to assist with the building of treatment facilities in Queens and on Long Island, Outreach continues to grow, with several capital projects underway.

fight to recognize treatment as a critical measure to address the life challenges stemming from addiction that allows people and their families to recover and move on to healthy lives.”

Northwell doc honored Dr. Caroline Maloney received The American Pediatric Surgical Association’s (APSA) M. Judah Folkman Memorial Award for her research in identifying a drug’s potential to prevent bone tumors from spreading.

Dr. Maloney is a general surgery resident with Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park.

“The results we have found are very exciting and I look forward to continuing my research to improve survival for children and teens with this disease,” said Maloney Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2018 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest.

Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication.

Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads.

The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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queensboroughmagazine@queensledger.com

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

PRIVATE SECURITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY John Rafferty started Watch Guard 24/7 in 2009 after the NYPD, where he dealt with a lot of security companies and saw a need for a higher quality guards and service.

In the basement of his home, he started a business that has now employs over 600 people.

The focus of Watch Guard 24/7 is physical security, but security has evolved over the last decade from being just a physical presence to a comprehensive customer-based approach. Security guards, concierges, and fire safety directors are taught they are not just representing a company, but clients. Watch Guard 24/7 instills in its personnel to understand the culture of who they are servicing.

Rafferty says it wasn’t easy to grow the business, but when he was able to get his foot in the door with some larger corporations he was determined not to let those opportunities go to waste. John always looked at new ways to better serve his clients and provide a higher quality service.

Watch Guard 24/7 operates out of two facilities with a 24-hour command center, in-house training, and a team of field supervisors that work around the clock. Having the entire team and services operate out of its own facilities is valuable to the company and its clients.

Understanding the challenges and need for quality security is always an ongoing issue. In the tumultuous times that we live in today, security continues to become more prevalent in our everyday lives. Because we can’t solely rely on the NYPD, we must look to private security to be the first line of defense in hotels, schools, public venues, office, residential properties and cultural attractions.

Watch Guard 24/7 continuously trains and challenges its team to perform better. Seeing personnel stop an armed robbery, child abduction, and burglaries over the last

love WHERE YOU

JOHN RAFFERTY year is an indication of how valuable security is to its clients, as well as to society at large.

Additionally, WatchGuard 24/7 continues to integrate technology with its services and personnel to show clients how they track personnel, monitor their property, and track its fleet of vehicles. It’s not only providing accountability to the company and client, but also peace of mind.

Members on Watch Guard 24/7’s team have been in the security field for decades, and also bring extensive background and experience in law enforcement. Another important part of the company’s success is showing personnel they can make a career at Watch Guard 24/7.

The company looks to promote from within, cross-train, and look for ways to keep personnel motivated. Showing that there is room for advancement is crucial to a productive work force.

With the security field as saturated as it is, Watch Guard 24/7 is continuously looking differentiate themselves from competitors.

A few things that remains consistent is customer service, valuing the relationship going above and beyond to exceed expectations.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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COVER STORY

MASPETH FEDERAL PUTS COMMUNITY IN BANKING

BY BENJAMIN FANG Five years before the Great Recession of 2008, when the market correction was happening, Maspeth Federal Savings president and CEO Thomas Rudzewick recognized the trend of problem loans.

A commercial appraiser by trade, Rudzewick, who worked for Cushman & Wakefield before taking over the community bank he grew up across the street from, adjusted Maspeth Federal’s underwriting policies to be more strict. They also lent on a more conservative basis, between 50 to 70 percent loan to value.

That foresight saved the community bank from the financial calamity that many faced.

“We didn’t have any losses,” Rudzewick said. “One of the few banks in the nation without losses.”

But local residents, homeowners and small businesses were still in trouble. People couldn’t make their mortgage payments, and it was affecting their livelihood.

Maspeth Federal, founded in 1947 as a savings and loan association, decided to step in. They were one of the first banks to institute a forbearance program to give borrowers a chance to get back on their feet, and then work out a way to catch up on payments.

Rudzewick says putting the community first has been part of Maspeth Federal’s philosophy since its inception. Rudzewick’s father, Kenneth Rudzewick, coined the phrase, “We treat you like family.”

The younger Rudzewick said they still live by that creed.

“We really believe that we can help keep the fabric of the community together,” he said. “We’ll do those workouts when times are bad. And when times are good, we’ll help you add an addition to your house or help pay for your kids’ college.”

Rudzewick said many banks are claiming to be community banks, but few hold up to Maspeth Federal’s standards.

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Joseph Friscia, head of Sales at Maspeth Federal Savings, and bank President and CEO Thomas Rudzewick stand outside the bank in Maspeth Memorial Square at 69th Street and Grand Avenue.

“No one really puts in their heart, sweat and tears into making the community better like we do,” he said. “It means community first.”

The bank organizes free community events regularly, from concerts and movie nights to their carnival coming up in September.

They have put together the annual Memorial Day parade for decades and they host the town post-parade event in their parking lot. This past year, they brought in 75 troop members from USS Arlington to join in the celebration.

Maspeth Federal’s board of directors, leadership and staff take pride in constantly frequenting local businesses. They have built up those community relationships, whether it’s with Rosa’s Pizza next door or the local homeowner down the road.

“If you want a stable relationship and you want to ask those important financial questions, you know you can walk into Maspeth Federal,” Rudzewick said, “and you’re going to have a well-trained individual answer those questions.”

The community bank has also played a crucial role in helping

small businesses survive and thrive.

Using the same model, Rudzewick said businesses don’t just want to have a bank account; they’re looking to have a strong relationship with their banker.

Joseph Friscia, head of sales at Maspeth Federal, said it starts with having free business products and no minimum balance.

A lot of new businesses, such as the ones popping up along Grand Avenue in Maspeth, don’t have the funding they need. As a result, they’re “bootstrapping,” or using money from their own pockets just to grow their business.

Many of them turn to large commercial banks, like the ones Friscia used to work for. Having been with Maspeth Federal for three years, he has noticed the difference in mentality and culture. He said his former employers are “stock-driven,” and often underwrite loans that don’t necessarily match the needs of the small businesses.

For the big banks, it may not even be profitable to spend time on a smaller loan, so there often isn’t appetite for smaller lending. That isn’t the case for Maspeth Federal,

which Rudzewick said is geared to handle the small business market.

“We understand their business model better,” Friscia said. “We take the time to underwrite and really look at the needs of their businesses, and see how we can help them.

“We’re offering genuine service and that’s what keeps our customers,” he added. “And that’s why they want to bank with us, because they feel safe and secure with us.”

It can be as simple as walking into a business with a gift in hand. At their Ridgewood branch on Fresh Pond Road, Rudzewick said they came up with the idea of visiting small businesses and offering them a welcome package, stocked with pens, widgets and other freebies.

One of Maspeth Federal’s new hires walked into a dentist’s office, basket in hand, and walked out with a commercial mortgage application.

“He’s stunned that a banker walks in with a gift and not just offering a product,” Rudzewick said. “That CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

NONPROFIT NEWS

FLUSHING BANK’S MARIA GRASSO HONORED BY QBG

BY JEN KHEDAROO At its 23rd annual Rose Gala last week, the Queens Botanical Garden honored Flushing Bank chief operating officer Maria Grasso for her commitment to the Flushing community.

Grasso has been in the banking business for more than 30 years and joined Flushing Bank in 2006.

“I’m very excited to be honored, it’s something that’s very special to me,” Grasso said. “Flushing Bank has been in the community for 90 years. We’re an integral part of the community and we like to give back, and the Queens Botanical Garden is a great place.”

Recently, Flushing Bank held a cocktail reception for its clients at the Queens Botanical Garden (QBG). Grasso said the event showcased the quality garden located right in the neighborhood.

“It’s a beautiful garden,” Grasso said. “It’s great for us, having a space like this for our clients, and it’s nice for the garden because people realize what they have here.

They can tell their friends about it.”

Grasso, who is also the senior executive vice president and corporate secretary of Flushing Financial Corporation and Flushing Bank, has been involved in many charitable organizations throughout the years.

She has volunteered for organizations such as the March of Dimes, Long Island Care, Women’s Fund of Long Island, the American Cancer Society, and Long Island Association for AIDS Care.

“We work together and she’s done so much for the community,” said QBG executive director Susan Lacerte. “She’s done a lot of volunteer work in Flushing.”

QBG board chair Pauline Huang said she was excited to see the expansive reach of the garden over the last year, with many people coming from around the borough and beyond.

About 210 people attended the Rose Gala, including Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner

Pictured from left to right are Deputy Director General of TECO-NY Andrew Yang, QBG Executive Director Susan Lacerte, QBG Board Chair Pauline Huang, Councilman Peter Koo, honoree Maria Grasso, Borough President Melinda Katz and DCA Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl.

Tom Finkelpearl, Borough President Melinda Katz, Councilman Peter Koo and Borough President Eric Adams from Brooklyn.

Adams spoke about the garden as a way to connect people from various cultures and encourage the embracement of diversity.

“A garden like this is a great equalizer,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what your economic level is, what language you speak, what block you live on, it forces us to leave our comfort zone and not only cross-pollinate the flowers, but also cross-pollinate our cultures in places like Queens and Brooklyn.”

Proceeds from the gala will go toward sustaining the garden’s flowers, as well as support for the programs and environmental education workshops that cater to over 35,000 schoolchildren and the almost 225,000 people served by QBG last year.

“The gala is just a great time to have friends get together that are involved with the garden in many different ways and celebrate,” Lacerte said.

60% of Shoppers are in the 18-34 Age Range

73% are Female 38% have Children

Average Household Income is Nearly $70,000

Queens Center Shopper Spends Over 2 Hours and Over $110 Per Mall Visit

Reserve Your Spot Today John Scaturro

718-592-3901

John.Scaturro@Macerich.com

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING: THE QUEENS CENTER WAY

BY JOHN SANCHEZ The marketing and advertising industry is constantly evolving due to trends in consumer behavior, and technology is changing how consumers think, act, and buy.

Marketing managers understand the importance of having a presence in the lives of their demographic, but due to the plethora of information in the palm of one’s hand, advertising impressions alone are not enough for companies to effectively capture a specific target market.

Marketing managers have become keen on recognizing their target market, and developing their brand’s message to speak and relate to their audience. Their next challenge is finding platforms other than social media and local news to engage with their audience.

“The Queens Center Mall (QCM) has been helping advertisers engage with their demographic for decades,” said John Sca-

turro, senior marketing manager for Queens Center Mall. With 27 million shoppers yearly, the mall offers a market of happy shoppers that are ready for engagement.

“In 2018, engagement marketing, often called experiential marketing, seems to be a new priority for many companies,” he added.

“Engagement marketing is a strategy that directly engages consumers and encourages them to participate in their brand experience. Advertisers have been effectively executing this strategy, and other innovative strategies at the Queens Center Mall.”

Scaturro spoke with This Is Queensborough about how Queens Center Mall is able to offer traditional advertising, experiential marketing, and brand loyalty strategies.

TIQ: How have brands been able to establish a presence in the lives of the Queens Center demographic?

JS: Brands, retailers and advertis-

ers have placed media and executed promotions using Queens Center Mall as a platform to reach their target market for years. In fact, millions of people visit Queens Center annually and savvy advertisers have taken advantage of this audience to expand their brand.

At Queens Center we understand that access to our consumers provides companies and brands a clear competitive edge in today’s cluttered marketplace.

TIQ: How has the “fun” shopping experience that Queens Center shoppers engage in become an asset to advertisers?

JS: Queens Center is an ideal place to reach consumers with inmall media when they are in a buying mood. Reach and frequency are optimal; shoppers view advertisements when entering the mall, visiting the food court and throughout the common area.

Queens Center’s in-mall media breaks through the clutter with high-impact, high-visibility advertising and promotional messaging including banners, elevator/escalator wraps, food court table clings, and new digital boards.

TIQ: How does the Queens Center Mall support companies in successfully executing experiential marketing strategies?

JS: Queens Center provides audience engaging opportunities to cross-promote products, incorporate sampling, demonstrations,

sales promotions, special events, community partnerships, and more.

Customized marketing programs can also be developed to increase brand awareness and incremental sales, while enhancing a company’s marketing goals and objectives. Utilizing Queens Center’s premium programs to communicate face-to-face with a target market is a great opportunity to enhance the relationship with potential customers and clients. Promotional displays and kiosks can include auto displays, product demonstrations, sampling and coupons, autograph signings and more.

TIQ: How can brands build customer loyalty and name recognition at the Queens Center Mall?

JS: As the sponsor of an amenity in Queens Center, a company or brand receives opportunities for building customer relationships through prominent displays, branding and customized exposure. Sponsoring consumer-centric amenities provides a brand with increased name recognition, awareness and highly visible, premium messaging.

Possibilities include, soft seating areas, holiday photo sets, family restrooms, or we can customize a space specific to a brand’s target demographic.

John Scaturro can be reached at (718) 5923901 or john.scaturro@macerich.com.

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

COVER STORY

MASPETH FEDERAL

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flipped the whole relationship.

Now we’re going to wind up getting their full checking account.”

As community banks fight to keep up with the resources of big commercial banks, they’re also investing in new technologies to cater to a new customer base of millennials.

Friscia, who just makes the cutoff to qualify as a millennial, said Maspeth Federal has already adjusted, and offers all of the products and conveniences younger customers have come to expect.

“We’re a double threat because we have the best product set, no fees, and we have all of those conveniences,” he said. “And the best staff.”

Rudzewick said if community banks are profitable and willing to put money back into their technological infrastructure, they can compete even better than the big banks. Back up the technology and tools with superb customer service, and that will create the relationships “that will last a lifetime.”

According to Rudzewick, Maspeth Federal’s digital channels, including their online account openings, are seeing the highest rate of growth in the bank today.

They also plan to revamp their website, online banking tools and their digital app.

“I want to make sure when I’m touching towards the next generation of banking customers, I have a channel they’ll use,” he said.

Friscia added that while millennials enjoy the online conveniences, they also look for a “safety net to pop back in” when they face any problems. He noted that the big banks are closing or shrinking their branches, while Maspeth Federal is expanding their presence.

In the coming month, Maspeth Federal is breaking ground on their renovated Ridgewood location, which is expected to reopen in the fall.

Rudzewick said the branch will have special features, such as a section to highlight small businesses. Calling it the “community corner,” he envisions spotlighting local businesses and allowing them to make connections with the larger community right inside the branch.

The Ridgewood location will also give free space to POMOC (Polonians Organized to Minister to Our Community), a local nonprofit group that helps Polish immigrants with their paperwork to become U.S. citizens. The renovation will add a second floor elevator, which will lead up to POMOC’s new space.

“We’re trying to make the community better,” Rudzewick said.

“We’re really a community company that happens to do some banking. I believe in that.”

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FUTURE OF RETAIL IS TECH, CREATING EXPERIENCES

BY BENJAMIN FANG Retailers today face a plethora of challenges, from Amazon and the digital revolution to ever-evolving consumer demands from millennials and Generation Z. To discuss the future of the retail industry, the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Real Estate Committee convened a panel of experts on June 6 at Queens Center Mall. The event offered multiple perspectives on the retail sector’s changing landscape, from store owners to real estate services firms.

Jonathan Krivine, director of retail for the firm Avison Young, said while the current environment is challenging for retailers, it’s also ripe for innovative entrepreneurs who are responding to the younger generation’s needs.

“The data is out there, we know what’s selling these days and what’s not selling,” he said. “We just have to accept reality that Amazon has raised the bar for performance in the retailing world.”

Krivine said younger consumers generally have shorter attention spans. With an option as instant as Amazon, they now evaluate the shopping experience in a store to their experience shopping online.

“You’ve got to satisfy them fast,” he said. “You’ve got to have a smile on your face if you’re selling in that store.”

It’s not just the interactions that need to change. Krivine said brickand-mortar stores have to be more visual and digital.

Companies like McDonalds and CVS are already experimenting with new technology that may eventually replace cashiers, he said.

“That’s the future,” Krivine said. “These young people, they get it. They can respond to it.”

Steven Rothman, senior vice president at the firm Jones Lang LaSalle, said if retailers want to be more profitable and draw more people into their stores, they will have to employ some of the new technologies being developed now.

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Chamber President & CEO Thomas Grech addresses the crowd before the panel discussion.

Companies are already using geofencing, which is the use of GPS software to track when a mobile device enters or leaves an area. They’re using drones to deliver packages faster. They’re starting to move away from cash payments, and toward mobile payments.

Other technologies include 3D printing, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and dynamic pricing.

Even driverless cars will change the way consumers purchase goods,

are becoming much smaller physically.

ATMs and mobile devices have largely replaced the role of tellers.

According to Rothman, the average cost of a teller transaction is $25, while an average ATM transaction only costs $7. Amazingly, a transaction on a mobile device only costs 7 cents.

“If you think about the millennials, the next generation of our workforce, they grew up on these types of devices,” he said.

The panelists agreed that it’s “Shopping centers are, not just about technology, but yes, a place to shop, but also the consumer experience they’re a place to dine, while they’re shopping. Franto be entertained, to live, ces Graham, project director work and work out.” for Linesight, represents three DUSTIN RAND, MACERICH LEASING different companies in Manhattan, all of which use different tools to bring in a new Rothman said. audience.

“All those trends will transform Line Friends, a South Korean the retail industry,” he said, “not company that opened its U.S. flagtoday, but over the next 10, 15 and ship store in Times Square, uses an 20 years.” app to help sell their brand. Adidas Rothman, a veteran in the retail on Fifth Avenue made their store banking field, said tech has already seem like a stadium, and features a transformed the industry. While statue of their founder Adi Dassler banks remain profitable and are still connected to a kiss-cam. Another growing, individual bank branches store, The Eight Senses in SoHo,

gives visitors a chance to learn more about senses like touch and smell.

“They all have a consumer experience,” Graham said, “and they’re trying to pull in a younger crowd.”

Malls and shopping center will have to adapt to the changing environment as well. Dustin Rand, senior leasing manager for Macerich Leasing, which owns Queens Center and Kings Plaza Shopping Center, said “there’s no question” the mall format he grew up with has changed.

Shifting away from just having apparel tenants around a few department store anchors, malls are providing more multi-category retail now, he said.

“Shopping centers are, yes, a place to shop, but they’re a place to dine, to be entertained, to live, work and work out,” Rand said.

“We’re trying to provide more leisure and entertainment and food offerings for our customers.”

That’s partly because younger customers today care more about experiences and creating memories than having a tangible object, he said. Macerich’s malls are allocat-

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

ing more space for pop-up, limited events and stores.

“They usually create nice buzz online, get a big following and create some excitement you’d otherwise wouldn’t have if you didn’t have the temporary flex space for them,” he said.

Among the panelists at the event was Paul Daniels, owner and operator of the Chick-FilA restaurant at Queens Center Mall. He spoke about some of the challenges he faces and strategies he employs to take on the retail landscape.

Daniels’ first move was hiring all local employees so he could learn more about the neighborhoods they’re from and the community they’re serving.

“My main focus is really understanding those who come in and around the mall,” he said.

Chick-Fil-A also has an app that serves as a “connection point” to the customers, Daniels said. He encouraged every busi-

ness to invest in new technology like apps.

“If you don’t have your own customized app for your business, then you’re way behind,” he said.

But there are still many challenges his restaurant has to overcome, particular the high cost of doing business. Daniels cited complex labor laws, utilities and other factors that contribute to a tough business climate.

“Right now, businesses are definitely struggling because it’s not one thing,” he said “It’s so many of other things that are adding those pressures.”

The retail experts urged those in attendance to embrace the technological changes, or risk falling behind.

“Technology really holds the feet to the fire,” Krivine said. “It’s a force of discipline.

“It allows people to look into the future and plan for growth,” he added. “They can embed that information to make themselves smarter in the future.”

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BUSINESS EXPO & BREAKFAST 2018: ON THE PANELS

EXPERTS TALK TRANSIT CHALLENGES AT EXPO

BY BENJAMIN FANG

Queens Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Thomas Grech likes to say that Queens is the place you used to travel through, and now it’s the place you travel to.

As the borough grows in popularity and population, Queens still faces significant transportation challenges, from a decrepit subway system to airports that lack the necessary infrastructure to accommodate a growing ridership.

At the chamber’s expo at Citi Field, transit leaders from all modes of transportation discussed some of these challenges facing residents, small businesses and visitors.

From a trains perspective, New York City Transit president Andy Byford delved into “Fast Forward,” a strategic vision to modernize the operation of the city’s subway and bus systems.

A 29-year transit veteran of subway systems in London, Sydney and Toronto, Byford said the challenges facing New York City’s century-old system is a “triple whammy” of ever-rising ridership, aging infrastructure and limited funding.

Fast Forward proposes a top-tobottom, all-out modernization of “every single aspect of our operations,” Byford said, including an overhaul of the MTA’s culture.

“I think it has to be done, we must bite the bullet,” he said. “If we put off the substantial investment that’s needed for this plan, it will only get harder and more expensive.”

Put together in less than 100 days, the plan focuses on four priorities: transforming the subway, reimagining the bus network, expanding accessibility and making customers feel more valued.

Those goals are built on three foundations, Byford said, including agility and accountability, safety and security, and customer service and communication.

Fast Forward will speed up the resignaling of the subway system, which at its current pace, would take up to five decades to complete.

Under the new plan, in 10 years

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Pictured from left to right are Queens Chamber CEO & President Thomas Grech, Seth Pinsky of RXR Realty, Andy Byford of the New York Transit Authority, Lysa Scully of the Port Authority, Mark Scheinberg of the Greater New York Automobiles Dealers Association, and Queens Chamber Board Chair Thomas Santucci. (All Business Expo Photos: Dominick Totino) the MTA plans to modernize the signals for 11 subway lines.

To do that, the agency plans to work on more than one line at once, embrace new technologies and take a fresh look at closures. Byford warned that there must be extensive weekend closures, but there is “no gain without pain.”

“Bear with us, this will all be worth it,” he said. “At the end of that 10 years, you will have way greater reliability and way more service.”

On the accessibility aspect, Byford said the MTA will double the rate of installation of elevators at train stations. Within five years, their goal is to have a system where customers with disabilities are no more than two stops from an accessible station.

Then there’s the question of funding. Byford said the MTA already gets a lot of money annually, including $18 billion under their five-year capital plan. What the agency will work on is making better use of those funds.

“What we can do is shuffle the money around to get on with the accessibility and signal upgrades we’re pursuing,” he said. “Some

things don’t need more funding, they just need better management focus.”

But modernization overhaul needs sustainable funding. To have new tracks, tunnels, trains, power systems, signals, stations and elevators, the MTA must have a dedicated source of money.

Byford said the MTA is holding off on announcing a figure until they’re certain it’s right, but expect to announce the number over the summer. Where they will get the money is still to be determined, but they will look at ideas like congestion pricing, an influx of private capital and public-private partnerships.

The panel also focused on the two airports in Queens, and their respective ongoing transformation plans. At John F. Kennedy International Airport, Seth Pinsky’s RXR Realty is managing the expansion of JetBlue’s terminal expansion.

Pinsky, executive vice president at RXR and a former president of the Economic Development Corporation in the Bloomberg administration, said in many ways, airports today are facing the same challenges as subways. There is ever-

rising usage but relatively fixed infrastructure.

“We haven’t really increased flights by the same percentages that the number of passengers have increased,” he said. “We only have so many landing slots, so many runway slots, so many gates.’

Another challenge facing the airport is its configuration, which Pinsky said comes “from a different age.” There are a large number of old and crowded terminals, connected by the AirTrain, that makes transferring inconvenient.

RXR’s project at JFK is to expand JetBlue’s Terminal 5 by building and connecting to a new terminal. The $3 billion private investment allows for integration of these previously unconnected terminals.

“It will help us accommodate the growth we desperately need,” Pinsky said. “If we want to stay competitive on a global stage, we have to make sure people can reach New York and go to other cities, do business and bring their tourism dollars.”

Though RXR isn’t behind this next project, developers are also building the first hotel at JFK, at

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

BUSINESS EXPO & BREAKFAST 2018: ON THE PANELS the site of the historic TWA terminal.

“It’s about creating amenities at the airport that 21st century passengers expect,” he said. “Highquality hotels on the site of the airport, so it’s easy if you have an early flight or you need to have business meetings. That doesn’t exist today at JFK.” LaGuardia Airport is also undergoing a multi-billion dollar change.

Lysa Scully, the general manager of the airport, detailed the “unprecedented investment” for new facilities.

Two years ago, the Port Authority signed an agreement with LaGuardia Gateway Partners, a $4 billion deal, to work on the first phase of the rebuild. Last year, they signed another $4 billion agreement with Delta.

Scully said the projects are delivering $4 million a day in construction, and they have hired more than 1,200 construction workers to execute the rebuild, all while committing to not reducing flight operations.

In the last six months, LaGuardia has opened up a 3,100-space parking garage and put in place roadway changes that will allow for a new entrance into the Grand Central Parkway westbound from the Delta complex.

Eventually, they will create a new bridge network that will allow customers to go directly into the Delta part of the airport without entering Terminal B at all. In the fall, LaGuardia will open its new Concourse B, with another concourse expected to debut next year.

“Each month, each quarter, there is very visible progress being made,” Scully said. “We know that this borough, this state, requires to be the front door to the rest of the world. We really need to invest in it.”

The final part of the panel focused on the future of automobiles. Mark Scheinberg, president of the Greater New York Auto Dealers Association, said the most pressing issue for cars is emerging technology, and how future generations will be trained to handle it.

Randi Penfil, a speaker for Google’s “Get Your Business Online Program” leads a workshop at the expo.

Some of the new technologies that are being integrated today are autonomous technology, electric cars and self-driving cars.

Despite growing investment in public transit, Scheinberg said people “by far” still like owning a vehicle. The tristate area remains

Pictured from left to right are Queens Chamber CEO & President Thomas Grech, Lisa Gahn of Amtrust Title, Brett Cooper of Kimco Realty Corporation, Omer Mir Ahmed of Seagis Property LP, Jake Elghanayan of TF Cornerstone, and Paula Kirby of Plaxall.

the largest market for car sales, including $41 billion in sales last year.

“People want the freedom of mobility, but they want to buy the right products and safe products,” he said. “It’s an exciting time in the auto industry for sure.”

In addition to the breakfast panel on transit issues facing Queens, the expo also included an Energy and Sustainability Panel in the morning moderated by Marshall Haimson of E-Capital Insurance Services and featuring Terry McGee of Con Edison, Dan Audette of Energy Tax Savers, Mike Balis of Sunation Solar Systems, Benjamin Pickard of National Grid Ventures, and Ted Rodormer of East Coast Energy.

An afternoon Restaurant and Hospitality Panel was featured Mark Boccia of Bourbon Street, Vijay Dandapani of the Hotel Association of New York City, Demetrios Kafchitsas of Pan Gregorian Enterprises of Metro New York, Erik Palmer of MCR Development. It was moderated

by Mickey King, the owner of Antun’s and director of the New York State Restaurant Association. It was moderated by Between those two was a third panel focused on Real Estate (see photo).

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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BUSINESS EXPO & BREAKFAST 2018: ON THE FLOOR

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July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

BUSINESS EXPO & BREAKFAST 2018: ON THE FLOOR

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

BUSINESS EXPO & BREAKFAST 2018: RECAP

CHAMBER HOSTS ITS LARGEST EXPO TO DATE

BY BENJAMIN FANG Citi Field was abuzz on June 21, but not necessarily with Mets fans.

It was the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s annual business expo, which drew a record crowd to Flushing. Nearly 1,500 people attended the gathering of businesses.

“We have more tables than we ever had, they were all sold out,” said Thomas Grech, Chamber President and CEO. “We had more registered guests than we ever had, which is all sold out.”

Grech said what attracted many attendees, especially early in the morning, was the expo’s various panel events, including the opening discussion on the transportation challenges in Queens.

On the expo floor, various businesses, from restaurants and hospitals to accounting and media firms, exhibited their products and services.

“We talk a lot about Queens being diverse, but if you look at the show floor, we even have a diversity of businesses,” Grech said.

He added that lots of business will be generated from the connections.

“If those 1,500 people suggest others to either join the chamber or refer them to people they met here for business, it could be quite an extremely successful event for those exhibiting and those who get connected,” he said.

For Flavio Avila, manager of Skyline Cruises, the expo was an opportunity for companies of all sizes to showcase themselves.

“That co-mingling between small and big is really tremendous here,” Avila said. “That exposure, to interact and to have a better feel is what that organization is all about.”

Rego Park chef Nupur Arora, who operates Queens Curry Kitchen, said she attended the expo many times, but this year was her first time exhibiting.

“There’s a lot of visibility we’re trying to build for the brand by coming here,” Arora said. “So far, it seems to be very popular.”

That face-to-face interaction is even more important in the Internet age, when customers are often buying from anonymous people, she said.

“It really helps to have an authentic person behind the brand, the story is as important as the ser-

Mets legend Dwight “Doc” Gooden spent three hours on the trade floor greeting attendees and posing for photographs.

vice or the product you’re trying to sell,” Arora said. “When you interact with people, they really get to see your energy, your personality, your vision behind the brand.

That’s how they can relate to whatever they’re buying from you.”

At the expo, Arora’s booth gave away free samples. Even a small bite allows the customer to experience the range of flavors offered in her food.

“As a chef, I always try to demystify the process and make it simple so people are encouraged to

embrace flavors,” she said. “This is a great way to do it.”

Arora added that she’s always looking for more collaborations in the community, such as cooking workshops, demonstrations and food tastings.

“That’s a way to draw people together, create a dialogue for food, and create acceptance and tolerance for different ethnicities, which I think Queens is so well known for,” she said. “I embrace and celebrate that. I love everything Queens.”

Paolo Martinez, program manager for the Department of Small Business Service’s Chamber on the Go program, at the expo.

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July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY

QUEENS CHAMBER NIGHT

Join the Chamber for the first Queens Chamber/New York City Football Club Queens Night when the NYFC takes on the Montreal Impact.

Register at queenschamber.org.

Yankee Stadium 1 E. 161st St. Bronx, NY 7/17, 9 AM

ASSESSING YOUR COMPANY’S FINANCIAL NEEDS

Learn how to take an in-depth look at your company’s finances with Nancy Intagliata, a Relationship

Manager in the commercial lending with TD Bank.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 7/18, 3 PM

ACCESS TO CAPITAL SEMINAR

A bilingual presentation in English and Spanish by Veronica Ferrero, senior account executive at Emigrant Mortgage, for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to access capital.

FREE Queens Library 21-45 31st Street, 2nd Floor Astoria, NY 11102

7/18, 5 to 8 AM

QUEENS CHAMBER BOAT CRUISE 2018

This year’s excursion includes a three-hour open bar, DV, full carving stations, passed appetizers, giveaways, and other prizes and raffles.

Register at queenschamber.org World’s Fair Marina 1 Marina Rd. Flushing, NY 11368 7/20, 8:30 to 10 AM

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT EMPLOYEES IN THE WORKPLACE

Identify potential problems and learn how to manage them with presenter Joshua Bienstock.

FREE

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 7/24, 6 PM

GETTING A MORTGAGE LOAN

Credit and good credit is a crucial component for a successful business. This workshop is intended for businesses owners who are seeking financing to either start or grow their business.

FREE Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens CDC 60-20 Woodside Avenue, 2nd Floor Woodside, NY 11377

AUGUST 8/7, 3 PM

RUNNING A PROFITABLE COMPANY

This discussion provides some simple profitability ratios and analytical procedures that can help determine your company’s present and future financial standing.

With your findings, you can identify trends and compare current figures to historical performance.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 8/8, 3 to 5 PM

HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE NYC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Queens Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual networking cruise on July 18.

Come and learn all you need to sell your goods and services to the nation’s largest school system, with over 1,700 schools, 1.1 million students and 138,000 city employees. Learn how to market your business, qualify as a vendor, and about available resources for M/WBE’s FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Library 21-45 31st Street, 2nd Floor Astoria, NY 11102

For any registration or more information on these events or any other events please call us at 718.898.8500 or visit us on the web queenschamber.org

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

Pictured clockwise from top left are Dan Cato and Howard Tollin; Tom Powell and Geoffrey Smith; Brett Swanson and Sean Jaggernauth; Richard Persaud and Daniel O’Callaghan; Frank Doria and Paul Harris; and Frank Piccininni and Elyse Silverman.

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queenschamber.org

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

BUILDING A QUEENS MANUFACTURING NETWORK

BY BENJAMIN FANG

and design company that creates kinetic, shape-shifting furniture. At Dozens of businesses and the event she displayed her Ollie manufacturers met at Boyce Chair, which unfurls and retracts Technologies on June 12 for the with the pull of a string.

Queens Chamber of She said there Commerce’s manuare many benefits facturers-only netto working with working event. a local manufacThe gathering turer, including THE CLOSER YOU was an opportukeeping an eye on ARE TO WHERE YOU quality control, nity to create new ARE MAKING YOUR business partnerreducing shipping STUFF, THE BETTER. costs and easier ships and facilitate collaboration. communication.

- JESSICA Representatives “The closer from several comyou are to where BANKS panies and indusyou’re making tries engaged in your stuff, the betconversation throughout the con- ter,” she said. sortium.

Banks’s company began manuTwo guest speakers, Jessica facturing in China, followed by a Banks from RockPaperRobot, and move to Montreal. She wanted to Marco Perry from Pensa Labs, bring RockPaperRobot home, but spoke about their struggles finding ran up against some problems. the right local manufacturers to Both Banks and Perry agreed work with. that there is already a network of Banks, an MIT-trained roboti- manufacturers in New York City, cist, is the founder and CEO of but it won’t matter if people don’t RockPaperRobot, an engineering “energize the network with action,”

“

”

Jessica Banks of RockPaperRobot demonstrates her Ollie Chair.

Banks said.

“It’s really about what happens after and what people make of it,” she said. “It’s to be determined what the outcome will be and how helpful it will be.”

But Banks did say the manufacturing event was a nice way to

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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PHOTO DEMONSTRATES BOROUGH’S DIVERSITY They came from Albania and Armenia, Bangladesh and Burkina Faso, China and Croatia, Ghana and Guatemala, Pakistan and Peru, Suriname and Switzerland, Togo and Thailand, and Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

More than 150 people, whose heritages represented 80 countries around the globe, posed for Jonathan Kane’s camera in front of the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on June 9.

But it was much more than just a snap of a lens. The image demonstrates the unity that in Queens and pays homage to a famous visual image by Jonathan’s father, Art Kane.

In 1958, Harlem was the center of the jazz world. To catch the moment, Art took a photo of 57 jazz legends in front of a brownstone at 15 East 126th Street. Entitled “Harlem 1958,” the black-and-white portrait of Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and other musicians ran in Esquire magazine.

For years, Kane, a professional drummer and

22

freelance photographer who lives in Jackson Heights in central Queens, pondered how to pay homage to his father’s iconic image.

He had to add a twist, knowing that overwhelmingly creative Art would never do the same thing twice. Plus, he wanted to promote his home borough.

“In Queens, we are living and celebrating everything that’s great about America every day, and it’s time to share that with the world in a bold and dynamic way,” said Kane.

So he decided that the photo would involve immigrants in front of the Unisphere, a 140-foot-high stainless steel representation of planet Earth that was created to be the symbol of the 1964-65 World’s Fair.

Kane partnered with the Queens Tourism Council (QTC), a division of the Queens Economic Development Corporation. Rob MacKay handled recruitment and promotion. After months of organizing, Kane took his homage photo almost exactly 60 years to the day after

his father’s Harlem shot.

India native Nupur Arora dressed in a colorful sari with a floral shawl. Daniel Quarshie sported a red, gold, and green kente cloth shirt from Ghana, his homeland on Africa’s Gold Coast.

Justo Santos went with a Danzante de Pujilí, a multi-colored costume with headdress worn during religious festivals in Ecuador. He carried a special Andean cross as part of the outfit.

Mihaela Georgescu wore a white Romanian garment whose red-frilled design pattern dates back various centuries. Ainagul Karasheva’s dress had a sky blue hue matching that of the Kazakhstani flag.

Kane took one main photo and many candid ones of those present as they met each other and chatted. Kane and QTC will use the main shot for a poster and then select others to create a “Great Day in Queens” calendar for 2019.

“I got to meet so many fascinating people,” said MacKay. “And the final product is such a testament to the borough’s greatest aspects: diversity, tolerance, and positive energy.”

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella.

The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

Currently Leslie Ramos is concerned with what she says is the city’s lack of understanding of the needs and concerns of small business owners. In mid-March, the city eliminated parking on Roosevelt Avenue between Broadway and 90th Street between 7 and 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. for a six-month pilot program aimed at mitigating traffic and congestion.

There are free immigration services every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 652-2071 with any questions.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti

718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members.

Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Manager of Business Development: Tshering D. Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@nycbcna.org QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs.

BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services. They provide small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders.

Loans range from $500 to $50,000 with terms up to three years. Loan officers help clients with creating business plan and financial statements,

and offer credit counseling to help clients understand, improve and repair credit. They offer workshops on small business management, social media, credit building and home ownership.

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members.

Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.

Some upcoming events include Fitness Street on July 15 and 22, as well as the immensely popular Jazz Thursdays on August 16 and 23.

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and repre-

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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES senting over 200 businesses.

Litter in the area is rampant, and the chamber is making it a priority. The chamber is partnering with the city for locations for up to 50 new garbage cans in Downtown Flushing.

In conjunction with Transportation Alternatives and Eastern Queens Greenway, the Chamber is hosting the Tour de Flushing on July 8. The 20-mile free bike ride exploring the neighborhood, from Flushing Meadows to the Quaker Meeting House, begins at 10 a.m. at the Unisphere.

On July 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Chamberorganized Greenmarket returns to Maple Playground at 136-50 Maple Avenue.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 www.gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members.

GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan

growth.

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID 84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421

718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella.

On Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street, the BID features six supermarkets.

They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans. The BID is already planning for its annual street fair on

Jamaica Avenue, which this year takes place on September 30.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamaicaAvenue QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the district includes 300 stores on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 160th Street in Jamaica. They offer a value card and support business owners in their expansions and openings.

Valerie Stevens is director of Business Services and Operations, supporting member businesses in their marketing efforts. Stevens has been focusing on social media to assist with branding and expansion. The BID is currently looking for a sponsor for their banners and trash can program along Jamaica Avenue. Upcoming events include: • Foreclosure Prevention Workshop: Wednesday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at 90-04 160th Street.

The event will include information on NHSJ services, what foreclosure is, liquidation options, etc.

• All Nations Apostolic Tabernacle (ANAT) Community Street Fair on July 21 at 9 a.m.

AUSTIN STREET SPRING FEST DRAWS THOUSANDS Thousands of people flocked to Austin Street this past Sunday for the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce’s annual Forest Hills Festival.

The seven-block long street fair featured art, jewelry, vintage clothing, food and entertainment for all ages.

Residents were able to sample cuisine from

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local restaurants, as well as unique vendor fare.

This year’s vendors dished out Jamaican comfort food, authentic Mexican cuisine, Greek street food, German specialities and more.

There were also sidewalk beer and wine lounges from local eateries such as 718 Hookah Lounge and Bareburger.

Entertainment for children included balloon artists, face painting, and several play areas where they enjoyed various rides and activities.

The event, which takes place twice a year, will return as the Shop Forest Hills Fall Festival on Sunday, September 16.

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES at 89-28 Parsons Boulevard. Health Screenings include Hypertension, Mammogram, Prostate, Cholesterol. Activities include games, prizes, Bouncy house, face painting, puppet show.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members.

JFK Airport is the only airport in the country to have its own chamber of commerce wholly dedicated to the airport business community, which employs 35,000 people. The airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year, using almost a half-million square feet of warehouse space to handle more than a million tons of air freight cargo a year. Upcoming events include: The Chamber’s next monthly meeting will take place on July 11 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Port Authority Building 14.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixeduse community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

The next chamber meeting is on Tuesday, July 10, at noon at Connolly’s Corner, 71-15 Grand Avenue. The majority of their budget is spent on holiday lights, banners, beautification and festivals, including replacing the street banners on

Grand Avenue. There has recently been a push to form a BID on Grand Avenue.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members.

The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

MIBA is hosting a Happy Hour Event on Thursday, July 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at O’Neill’s, 64-21 53rd Drive, in Maspeth. The Newtown Creek Alliance will be presenting some information about the Superfund Cleanup on the creek. A business card raffle will be held, and the winner

Continue a Chocolate Tradition, or Start a New One

103-02 Metropolitan Ave. Forest Hills, NY Aignerchocolates.com Open 7 Days a Week 25

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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES gets a free canoe tour on the Creek with the North Brooklyn Boat Club.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 businesses under its umbrella.

Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview.

Board meetings are held four times a year with

the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC. One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny.com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district. There are currently ten stores looking for tenants.

The BID’s Fourth of July Sidewalk Sales Event will take place from June 29 to July 4, while the Summer Sidewalk Sale will be held From August 2 to August 5

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens.

Funded by Department of Small Business Services, they strive to create and retain jobs via

GREATER JAMAICA HOLDS ANNUAL MEET

The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) held its 51st Annual Membership Meeting at the Harvest Room in Downtown Jamaica. The featured speaker was Christopher Jones, chief planner of Regional Plan Association, who gave further insights into the organization’s 4th Regional Plan. Jones (left) spoke with GJDC board chair Peter Kulka and GJDC president and CEO Hope Knight following his presentation. (Photo: Walter Karling)

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programs that grow neighborhoods and assist small businesses. QEDC assists by providing one-on-one consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events.

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses.

The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces. RBA seeks to create and curate an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy year round.

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has 30 members.

Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating longstanding partnerships with city and state agencies.

RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a five-member merchant advisory board.

RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project.

With over 250 businesses and 61,000 or 53 percent of the Rockaway’s entire population living within 2 miles of downtown Far Rockaway, one of RDRC’s goals is to reduce the over $91 million in market leakage to neighboring downtown shopping districts.

To address this challenge, in 2014 RDRC rejuvenated the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA). Today with RDRC as its administrator, REMA membership now includes 40-plus local businesses with an active calendar of events that includes an annual merchant’s fair, talent show, fashion event, holiday tree lighting and live concerts.

REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at RDRC, located at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

STEINWAY STREET BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820

May 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 5

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members.

Board meetings are held seven times a year.

The BID’s vision is to make Steinway Street user friendly, while highlighting the local businesses on the street and bringing together the Astoria community in a positive way.

The BID works to improve sanitation, marketing, security, holiday lighting, beautification and Internet access along this famous street in Queens.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Patricia Dorfman 718.729.4688 www.sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: Annual budget of $55,000.

The chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104

Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella.

The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. There are still a number of locations still available, call the office for more info. Companies that are not located in Sunnyside are invited to participate as well. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year. Upcoming events include: • July 3 at 5 p.m. - Afro Latineers Jazz Beats and Puerto Rican Dance at Bliss Plaza • July 7 & 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Lowery Plaza- Sunnyside Walking Tour with Adrienne Onofri-Guided by Queens local, licensed NYC sightseeing guide, and author of Walking Queens, Adrienne Onofri will narrate the history of the neighborhood, while sharing with attendees local landmarks, natural scenery, popular eateries, and more. The walk will be split into two consecutive weekends: July 7 will cover South Sunnyside, while July 14 is North Sunnyside. The tour will start at Lowery Plaza-40th Street under the 7 Train.

• July 10th from 5 to 6 p.m. - Manhatitlan

Mexican Folk Dance • July 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. - Beats in Bliss Plaza with the Newtown Literary Journal. Crafts and giant games start at 4 p.m. and The Newtown Literary Journal will join at 6 p.m. with readings from their July issue.

• July 11 at 7 p.m. - Sunnyside Shines at Citi Field NY Mets Outing. Show your Sunnyside spirit at a Mets- Phillies game.

• July 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. - Beats in Bliss Plaza with Swing Dance Astoria • July 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Tai Chi with Sam Ita (10 a.m.) and Zumba with Gio Romero (11 a.m.) in Lowery Plaza • July 24 at 6 p.m. - Queens Boro Dance Festival at Bliss Plaza for their 5th season in the borough.

Performers include Katherarine Petit Creative and Yamini Kalluri.

• July 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Tai Chi with Sam Ita (10 a.m.) and Zumba with Gio Romero (11 a.m.) in Lowery Plaza • July 28 & 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Pop Up Market Weekends at Bliss Plaza. Local vendors will be selling food, locally made crafts, jewelry, gift items, and more. Vendors will vary from month to month. Performances of live music and dance will accompany each market day.

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GREATER FLUSHING EXPO HIGHLIGHTS NABE

BY BENJAMIN FANG Flushing highlighted all that the neighborhood has to offer at a three-day expo over the third weekend in June.

Borrowing the “World’s Fair” concept, the expo featured a food and culture crawl, walking tours, business workshops, and a local resource fair.

The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, Asian Americans for Equality, and the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), which hosted the event, also unveiled their “Passport to Flushing,” which contains special discounts at local shops.

“If there’s any community that deserves to carry the torch of the World’s Fair, it’s Flushing,” said Councilman Peter Koo. “A community that combines the best of the world’s culture into a bustling and thriving neighborhood.”

The event kicked off with a keynote address by former Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz, who now leads borough promotion and engagement for NYC & Co., the city’s tourism organization.

Markowitz spoke about the importance of the tourism and hospitality sectors to New York City’s economy.

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A record-high 62.8 million people visited the city last year. In Queens, the second largest growth in jobs came from the tourism and hospitality industries.

Markowitz called Flushing the “other Times Square of our city,” and its the fourth largest central business district in New York City.

Flushing has the most businesses of any Queens neighborhood.

From its diverse food options like Cantonese dim sum and Korean kimchi, to cultural attractions like Flushing Town Hall and the Queens Botanical Garden, Markowitz said the neighborhood has it all.

“It’s all happening in Flushing,” he said.

The expo marked the end of the first year of “Flushing Fantastic,” a three-year district marketing campaign to showcase Flushing’s businesses. John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, said they borrowed the “World’s Fair” theme to look at not only the past, but focus on the present.

Choe put together the food and culture crawl, which is mapped out in the Passport to Flushing. It encourages visitors to walk around and explore the best of the neighborhood.

“To me, it’s much more important to support the living community that is trying to survive

here rather than focusing on the nostalgic past,” he said.

The three-day event also served as a way to share best practices for small businesses.

The expo featured a panel of experts, such as food writer Joe DiStefano, Dumpling Galaxy owner Helen You, and Gutsier Living owner Shweta Parmar, who gave their tips and advice for experiencing all the Flushing has to offer visitors.

Choe said community organizations are also consulting with SBS, NYC & Co. and the Queens Tourism Council to figure out infrastructure needs to encourage more visitors come to Flushing.

“It doesn’t help other small businesses if they don’t have websites and social media and the menus in different languages,” he said.

“Those are what you need if you’re going to have more international and national tourism into Flushing.”

His message to tourists is that if they want to experience the “real New York,” where people overcome challenges and transform themselves, they should come to Flushing.

“You’ll see a lot of transformative experiences and moments in Flushing,” Choe said.

“You should be part of it. Be part of the change that’s happening.”

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE

ADP Major Accounts Airlogix Aurora Contractors, Inc. DGC Capital Contracting Corp.

ENT & Allergy Associates, LLP WeWork Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, LLP INTRODUCTORY

Energy Spectrum Global NRB Services, Inc. Imacuclean Cleaning Services La Cuca Leakless Plumbing, Inc. Memoristic Productions, Inc. North Hills Office Supplies, Inc. Santander Bank St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children RANTECH, Inc. In Home Pet Services White Mountain Food Group ADP Major Accounts

42-40 Bell Blvd. Suite 405 Bayside, NY 11361 adp.com 718.279.5625 From their first account in Paterson, N.J., to the more than 700,000 clients they serve in 113 countries, ADP helps organizations of all types and sizes unlock their business potential. For 68 years, they have led the way in defining the future of business outsourcing solutions. They are a comprehensive global provider of cloudbased Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions that unite HR, payroll, talent, time, tax and benefits administration, and a leader in business outsourcing services, analytics and compliance expertise. Their unmatched experi-

ence, deep insights, and cutting-edge technology have transformed human resources from a back-office administrative function to a strategic business advantage.

AirLogix

24-26 46th Street Astoria, NY 11103 airlogix.co 718.947.1311 At AirLogix, they are proud of all the things that make them different. They are a local, woman-owned company that understands their clients’ needs and makes their concerns our own. And as a one-stop solution, they cover everything from concept to completion. They are known for delivering customized, tailored solutions that help clients meet their core business objectives and stand out in their respective markets. We also work with budgets of all scopes to find the most cost-effective, logical solution for each project.

Aurora Contractors, Inc.

100 Raynor Ave Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 auroracontractors.com 631.981.3785 Aurora Contractors, Inc., a second-generation, family owned and operated construction company, was started by Frank Vero, Sr. in 1983.

Aurora Contractors is a dynamic, well-established General Contractor and Construction Manager that prides itself on developing and maintaining long-term relationships with its customers, local officials (including town supervisors, building department personnel and fire marshals), union representatives, subcontractors and suppliers.

DGC Capital Contracting Corp.

506 South 9th Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10550 dgccapital.com 914.664.7244 At DGC Capital Contracting Corp., all their projects are completed on time, within budget and exceeding client expectations, forming the cornerstone of its 25-year history. DGC has a proven record of excellence, solidifying their place as a leader in commercial general contracting throughout the New York tristate region and helping them to build ongoing client relationships.

ENT & Allergy Associates, LLP

560 White Plains Road, Suite 615 Tarrytown, NY 10591 entandallergy.com 914.984.2558 ENT and Allergy has over 180 physicians practicing in 40-plus office locations in New

York and New Jersey. Each ENT and Allergy Associates clinical location provides access to a full complement of services, including General Adult and Pediatric ENT and Allergy, Voice and Swallowing, Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Disorders of the Inner Ear and Dizziness, Asthma, Allergy, Clinical Immunology, Diagnostic Audiology, Hearing Aid dispensing, Sleep and CT Services.

Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, LLP

11 Martine Avenue White Plains, NY 10606 wbgllp.com 914.428.2100 Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, LLP is a firm built on trust and commitment. Their clients have come to rely on our ability to understand the intricacies of the construction and real estate industries and appreciate their pragmatic approach to problem solving. We use our knowledge and our experience to counsel our clients on the many complex legal challenges they face in conducting their businesses.

WeWork

27-01 Queens Plaza North Long Island City, NY 11101 wework.com 929.279.0140 When WeWork started in 2010, they wanted to build more than beautiful, shared office spaces. They wanted to build a community. A place you join as an individual, “me,” but where you become part of a greater “we,” A place where they are redefining success measured by personal fulfillment, not just the bottom line.

Community is their catalyst.

Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of QueensBorough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2017. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,712 (3,500). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 1,785 (532), Mail subscriptions, 611 (1,937), Total 2,396 (2,469). Free Distribution By mail 187 (400), By other means 0 (0), Total 187 (400). Total distribution 2,583 (2,869), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 1,129 ( 6 3 1 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,712 (3,500), Percent paid 92.76 (86.05).

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor

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EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Thomas Santucci

Richard Dzwlewicz

Howard Graf

Fran Biderman-Gross

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patrick Yu Nash Roe

Mayra DiRico

Secretary

CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

President & CEO

Business Development Manager

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Alejandra Espejo

Brett Swanson

Financial Controller

Fatena Williams

Business Development Associate

Membership Outreach Coordinator & Member Engagement

William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr John E. Roe, Sr. George Rozansky Gerard Thornton

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Michael Billia Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan KY Chow Adam Cohen

Carol Conslato Sal Crifasi Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Thomas Eagar Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf

Raymond Irrera Peter Klein Kenneth Koenig Henry Kuykendall Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

Michael Moran Michael Onghai Jeffrey Owens Nayan Parikh Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq Adam Reece-Cohen Nash Roe

Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson

Henry Wan Swain Weiner Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS AARP ABS Partner Real Estate Age Well New York AKI Development Alma Realty Corp.

Aloft Long Island City Manhattan View Hotel Aloft Hotel New York LaGuardia Airport Alphapointe Altria Client Services Inc. Amna Construction Corp.

AmTrust Title Anchin, Block & Anchin Ashnu International, Inc. ATCO Properties & Management Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP Bank of America Bank United Berkeley College Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel, PC Bethpage Federal Credit Union Better Home Health Care Borchert & LaSpina, PC Boro Hotel Boyce Technologies Inc. Broadway Stages Capital One Bank Cathay Bank Care Connect Insurance Co. Inc. Carmel Car & Limo Service CDS Mestel Construction Center for Automotive

Education & Training Cerini & Associates Certilman Balin Champion Elevators Chaney Construction & Development Charles Schwab Ciampa Organization City MD City Scrap Metal Cleaning Systems Co. Clickable CoAdvantage Constant Contact Construction Safety Network Inc. Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Costco Wholesale Court 16, Inc. Courtyard New York CPEX Real Estate Crown Container Cumming Corporation Curaleaf Cushman & Wakefield FedCap D&B Engineers & Architects, PC Daniels Norelli Cecere & Tavel PC DY Reality Services, LLC Dignity Memorial Funeral Provides of Queens E. Gluck Corporations East Coast Energy Group

Edible Arrangements Elite Palace Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Co. Empire Merchants EMU Health Services, LLC. Enterprise Holdings EXIT Realty New York Metro Fabini Cohen & Hall, LLP Fantasy Forest Amusement Park Farrell Fritz, PC Fedcap Fidelis Care New York Financial Resources Brup Investment Services LLC Firecom, Inc. First American International Bank First Central Savings Bank Flushing Bank Forest Hills Financial Gerard T Dolan Agency Farmers Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Queens Greater New York Auto Dealers Association Inc. Greiner-Maltz of NY GUM Studios HF Management Services Haks Hanover Community Bank Healthplex, Inc. Health Republic Insurance Healthy Corner Pharmacy, Inc. Hilton Garden Inn/ LIC Manhattan View

Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport Home2Suite LIC Hyatt Place Flushing Ibis Styles New York LaGuardia Airport Hotel INDA Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry International Asbestos Removal Inc. J.F.A. Insurance Brokerage JRT Realty Group, Inc. James F. Capalino & Associates Jaros Baum & Bolles Jetro Resataurant Depot JustWorks KMK Restorations, LLC Kasirer Consulting Inc Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. Kimco Realty Corporation Klein Wealth Management HighTower LaGuardia Plaza Hotel La Technology Group Lee & Associates Levine Builders Lessing’s Inc. Luna Park in Coney Island Lyft Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M&T Bank M&V Provisions Co, Inc. MCR Development LLC MTA-Long Island Rail Road Madeline Chocolate Novelties Marriott NYC Airport Hotels Mazars USA LLP Merritt Engineering Consult-

ing PC Metroplus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxi Cab Board of Trade Melrose Credit Union Metro Franchising Commissary Molloy College Mortgage Depot Moses & Singer LLP Motiva Networks Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corporation Muss Development Company National Supermarket Association Newtown Creek Trusted PRI USD New York Building Congress New York Life New York Oil Heaing Association Inc. New York Racing Association Northfield Bank Northwell Health Northwestern Mutual NY Building Congress OnForce Solar Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehab Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates People’s United Bank Petro Energy Solutions Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associations, Inc.

Prager Metis CPAs, LLC Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage Progressive Waste Solutions Qside Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corp.

Queens Center Queens Ledger Queensborough Community College Quontic Bank Radisson Hotel JFK Airport Register Abstract Co. Inc. Related Retail LP Rent A Throne Royal Waste Services Inc. Russo’s On The Bay SL Green Realty Corp.

Sahn Ward Coshchignano PLLC Sandrine Capital LLC Seagis Property Group Sears Maid Service Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty LLC Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Sleep Numbers Solomon Agency St. John’s University Staples #1722 Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies PC Suffolk County National Bank Suation Solar Systems Super-Tek, Products, Inc.

Sutton Alliance Terrace on the Park Thales USA, Inc. The Durst Organization The New York Times The Parc Hotel Trinity Solar TSC Training Academy LLC Tully Construction Co. Inc. United Airlines United Health Care United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public, Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Valley National Bank Van Guard Insurance Agency Verizon VHB Engineering Surveying & Landscape Architecture Vic Kesser Signs, LTD Victory Pharmacy Villa Russo Venture House Vornado Realty Trust Waste Management of NY LLC Watchguard 24/7 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Welllife Network WeWork York College Zwanger Pesiri Radiology LLP

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock NYIT bienlaw@aol.com ENERGY Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com James Sheuchenko PM Advisors js@pmadvisors.co HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Evangeline Rosado-Tripp Queens County Medical Society ertripp@queensmedicalsociety.org

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HOSPITALITY Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Michael Zayas Real Hospitality Group michael.zayas@rhgcorp.com MANUFACTURING Geoffrey Smith NY Grant Company Geoffrey@nygrants.com Thomas Powell Boyce Technologies tpowell@boycetechnologies.com NONPROFIT Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org

Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com REAL ESTATE Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Michael Wang G8 Real Estate / Flushing Chamber mwang121@gmail.com TECHNOLOGY Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Eugene Erichsen Connect Me Voice Eugene@connectmevoice.com

TRANSPORTATION Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com Tammy Petsios VHB tpetsios@vhb.com We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information.

We reserve the right to edit for space limitations.

Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

July 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 7 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

31

WEDNESDAY

Cruise into Summer

JULY 18TH 5:00PM-8:00PM 1 World’s Fair Marina Flushing, NY 11368

Boarding and Event Begins: 5:00PM Ship Departs: 6:00PM sharp Returns to Port: 8:00PM sharp Fully weather-proof & air conditioned | We sail rain or shine Complimentary parking adjacent to Marina

ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE $60 per person for Queens Chamber Members $75 per person for all others ...join the Chamber TODAY

Includes: • 3 Hour Open Bar / DJ / Carving Stations • Passed Appetizers / Giveaways / Raffles • Networking fun......

Sponsored by Queens Chamber Members

SPACE IS LIMITED RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

Register today: www.queenschamber.org For information; call 718.898.8500 or info@queenschamber.org