Almost 4K at HIA-LI

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Nearly 4,000 members of the business community attended the HIA-LI business fair at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood. The 36th business-to-business event took place on May 23 and was attended by over 250 exhibitors.^vol Fair.

The event provides networking opportunities each year and attracts people from a variety of business sectors, including technology, energy and environment, manufacturing, finance, hospitality, healthcare, media and advertising, education, government and workforce development. According to HIA-LI, 78% of participants were senior decision makers.

“Every year we see firsthand how this trade show provides a tremendous boost to hundreds of local businesses,” said Terri Alessi-Miceli, president and CEO of HIA-LI, in a news release about the trade show.

“Our goal remains the same: helping business professionals make valuable connections and find new opportunities,” she added. “The fair has also become a critical forum for discussing economic development on Long Island.”

The fair included an executive luncheon, as well as a series of breakout sessions, including two Sands New York shopping workshops designed to connect local businesses with Sands employees. This initiative aimed to involve local suppliers in the Sands procurement process, opening doors to new business opportunities and supporting community engagement.

Additional breakout sessions included topics such as “From Retail to Revitalization: Smith Haven Mall Transformation Seminar,” “Expanding the Network,” “From Clicks to Conversations, Direct Response Marketing Success Strategies.”

Additionally, organized speed networking sessions were designed to help participants quickly meet other business professionals.