STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, will be the keynote luncheon speaker at the 17th annual Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) business conference April 29 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield.
Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, will be the keynote luncheon speaker at the 17th annual SIEDC business and economic conference April 29 at the Hilton Garden Inn. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
As the top federal prosecutor for the region, Bharara oversees the investigation and litigation of all criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the United States in the Southern District of New York. He has been in the news of late as the lead prosecutor in the ongoing case against former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, which resulted in his indictment on bribery charges. His office is also looking into the disbanding of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's special Moreland Commission created to weed out corruption in the state.
More than 3,000 business people and members of the public are expected to turn out for the conference. Billed as the borough's largest networking economic forum, it will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and feature information from more than 150 vendors, along with educational seminars and mixers.
Also to be featured is the SIEDC "20 Under 40" leadership awards, presented to individuals under the age of 40 who live or work on the Island and are making a difference in their community and their respective field. In addition, the SIEDC "Top 31" Future People of Influence Awards, presented to 31 individuals who are, predictably, the leaders of the future.
Seminars will focus on careers in the media; careers in the healthcare field; small-business start-ups, and career advancement through higher education, among others. Each seminar will be hosted by an Island business; the Staten Island Advance, for example, will be hosting an 11 a.m. seminar, "The Ins and Outs of Business Marketing & Advertising," presented by Google.
There will also be a panel discussion on business opportunities coming to the North Shore with the planned opening of the New York Wheel and outlet shopping mall.
Details of the conference were announced Thursday by the SIEDC during a welcome for corporate sponsors at the newly opened Dongan Hills branch of Investors Bank, the lead sponsor of the conference.
"By expanding our operations here and supporting the conference, we are actively investing in the economic growth and vitality of Staten Island," said Investors Bank President & CEO Kevin Cummings, who welcomed attendees Thursday.
Cesar Claro, SIEDC president and CEO, welcomed and thanked corporate sponsors, who in addition to Investors Bank, include: Northfield Bank; Pratt Industries; Con Edison; Richmond County Savings Bank; Santander Bank; Puddin Kids First; Xerox State & Local Solutions Inc.; Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island); BFC Partners; the College of Staten Island; Corbett Enterprises; St. John's University; Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore); Capital One Bank, and Richmond University Medical Center. This year's SIEDC Business Conference Ambassador is Chris Williams of Williams Eye Works.
The event is free and open to the public. The keynote meal sessions, featuring prominent speakers, are the only portion that require the purchase of tickets.
Free registration and tickets are available online at www.siedc.org, or by calling the SIEDC office at 718-447-1400.