HIA-LI holds 27th annual trade show and conference on May 21st, Keynote speaker was Riggs of The Business LockerRoom

On Thursday, May 21st, HIA-LI, one of the largest B2B business associations on Long Island, hosted its 27th annual trade show and conference to a record number of attendees. The day kicked off with an executive breakfast featuring keynote speaker Kelly Riggs, serial entrepreneur and founder of The Business LockerRoom discussing "Winning Business In Any Economy: Four Mistakes You Can't Afford To Make." Following the breakfast event attendees poured into the 58,000 s/f Suffolk County Community College Sports and Exhibition Complex where over 375 exhibitors met with approximately 4,500 attendees to share product and service ideas to help them grow their businesses. Exhibitors were organized by specialty pavilions on the trade show floor including economic development, finance, technology, energy/green industries, healthcare and workforce development, enabling business leaders to learn about related industries within each area. One new pavilion established this year was the Made in America Manufacturing Pavilion showcasing interesting products made on Long Island. Recently named New York State senate majority leader John Flanagan and Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone were both on hand to provide opening remarks for a luncheon panel featuring real estate developers discussing initiatives and revitalization projects including The Ronkonkoma Hub, Wyandanch Rising, Downtown Patchogue and Renaissance Downtowns. Throughout the show, HIA-LI also provided a series of complimentary, high-quality, educational and informational seminars to attendees and exhibitors to help them learn innovative ways to increase revenues, attract and retain employees, and forge stronger business partnerships. HIA-LI is the recognized voice for Long Island business and a powerful force for regional economic development helping advance solutions for challenges facing Long Island business including manufacturing revitalization, workforce development, healthcare solutions, energy and infrastructure initiatives and creating an environment of business success.