Bronx Economic Summit on Nov. 18th, 2009

The Bronx Economic summit will be held this year at the Bronx NY, Botanical Gardens. The New Borough President, Ruben Diaz stated at the beginning of his administration, that business organizations and merchants associations have worked separately to improve their own neighborhoods for too long, an issue which must be addressed to make a better Bronx. He wants to work together to develop a strategic plan that will ensure the strength of all our business districts, and to position them for positive growth in the years to come. With that in mind, I want to invite you to take part in The Bronx Economic Summit: a Blueprint for Success, a full-day event designed to create an economic plan for the future of our great borough.
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Edward Mazria, Founder and Executive Director
Architecture 2030

Meet Moderators: Brian Warner, Director Policy Analyst, New York Power Authority

Daniel Massey, New York Business Reporter, Crain's NY (publication)

Jonathan Bowles, Director, Center for an Urban Future

Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO, Partnership for New York City
Paul Lipson, Chief of Staff, Congressman Jose E. Serrano Office

Steven J. Jerome, President, Monroe College

Registration, 8:30 am; Breakfast, 9:00 am, Welcoming Remarks by the Bronx Borough President, 9:30 am

Morning panel: Poised Growth: Opportunities on the Horizon
~ This panel will examine potential areas of growth and large scale developments, including the development of a Bronx marketing plan.

* Moderator:
Steven J. Jerome, President, Monroe College

* Panelists:
Greg David, Editorial Director, Crain's New York Business
Paul Chapman, President, ABC Carpet Co. Inc.
Donald L. Ashkenase, Executive Vice President, Montefiore Medical Center
Daniel Garcia, President & Owner, Salsa Caterers and Special Events

Retention & Expansion: Capitalizing on Our Assets
~ This panel will explore how to attract and retain businesses on our commercial corridors, including the critical role of cultural organizations in the borough economy.

Panelists:
Adam Friedman, Director, Pratt Center for Community
Hon. Robert Walsh, Commissioner, NYC Small Business Services
John Shapiro, AICP, PP, Principal, Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates
Deidre Scott, Managing Director, Bronx Council on the Arts

Cashing in on the Green Economy
~ This panel will explore the opportunities offered by the green economy, including planet friendly transportation and development of vacant land/Brownfield.

* Moderator:
Brian Warner, Director Policy Analyst, New York Power Authority

* Panelists:
Christina Ficicchia, Executive Director, NYC and Lower Hudson Valley Clean Communities
Jared Haines, President & Co-Founder, Mercury Solar Systems
Josslyn B. Shapiro, Deputy Director, Mayor's Office of Environmental Remediation
Majora Carter, President, Majora Carter Group, LLC.
Neil Pariser, Senior Vice President, SoBRO

Afternoon Panels 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM

Building Tomorrow's Workforce
~ This panel will examine unemployment factors in the borough, job training needs for future jobs, and that role of start-ups in employment.

* Moderator:
Daniel Massey, New York Business Reporter, Crain's

* Panelists:
Clarence Stanley, Director, NYS Small Business Development Center
Cristina Shapiro, Assistant Commissioner for NYC Business Solutions
Joseph McDermott, Executive Director, Consortium for Worker Education
Miquela Craytor, Executive Director, Sustainable South Bronx

Retail Corridors: Meeting Merchants' Needs
~ This panel will explore the benefits of Business Improvement Districts and Merchants Associations, the presence of the informal sector, encouraging local purchasing between merchants, and technical assistance needs of merchants.

* Moderator:
Jonathan Bowles, Director, Center for an Urban Future

* Panelists:
Bernadette Nation, Director, Business Outreach Team/Energy Response Unit NYC Department of Small Business Services
John Bonizio, President, Assoc. of the Merchants & Business Professionals of Westchester Square, Inc.
Jeremy Waldrup, Assistant Commissioner for District Development, NYC Department of Small Business Services
Wilma Alonso, Executive Director, Fordham Business Improvement District

Stimulus Money & Other Public Funds: Immediate Opportunity
~ This panel will provide information on upcoming streams of stimulus money for businesses and access to other sources of capital.

* Moderator:
Paul Lipson, Chief of Staff, Congressman Jose E. Serrano Office

* Panelists:
Kate Shackford, Executive Vice President, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation
Raul Hiraldo, Vice President, Commercial Loan Division, Citibank
Seth W. Pinksy, President, NYC Economic Development Corporation
Pravina Raghavan, New York District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration