Flushing Welcomes World June 28-29 with Expo, Food Crawl & Tours

The Downtown Flushing Commercial Revitalization Steering Committee invited visitors and businesses to “Flushing’s World Fair,” a two-day expo on June 28-29, 2019. The Expo references the iconic 1964 World’s Fair through the prism of today’s contemporary global village of Flushing, Queens, and will feature presentations by experts in marketing, international cuisine,
and social media as well as walking tours and a “Passport to Flushing” food and culture crawl with special discounts.

“Whether you’re looking for amazing food, history, or world-class shopping, Flushing has something for everyone. Flushing’s World’s Fair will be a great opportunity for visitors to get a first-hand look into our emerging industries. We also invite those who already know us to
rediscover Flushing and explore a neighborhood that is constantly evolving. Thank you to the Steering Committee for coming together to promote the real New York experience,” stated Councilman Peter Koo.

The Expo will begin on Friday, June 28, 8 am, with a breakfast forum at Queens College with Asian American women entrepreneurs who will talk about the challenges they faced in starting and growing their business. Panelists include Christina Seid, owner of Flushing Ice Cream Factory and Rebekah Edwards from Blue Apron. After the forum, Queens College will provide a tour of their Tech Incubator.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.worldsfair.nyc.

The Friday afternoon program will kick off with a keynote address by the “King of Queens” Joe DiStefano and presentations moderated by Rob MacKay of the Queens Tourism Council. Sixty First Productions and BrandTree Media will present cutting-edge marketing strategies for boosting branding and awareness. Entrepreneurship resources will be provided through
business workshops by Google and other leading experts as well as a showcase of products and services representing the amazing diversity of Flushing’s business community. Participants will have an opportunity to talk with experts in marketing, finance, and the law as well as learn how to tap into the growing market for authentic experiences and unique products and services - ranging from Taiwanese tea tastings to delicious South Indian dosas served up at the Ganesh Temple - found in Flushing, Queens, the fourth largest commercial district in New York.

“As a long time observer of the diverse culinary and cultural scene in Queens, I’ve known that Flushing was fantastic for years,” stated Joe DiStefano, food critic and author of “111 Places in Queens That You Must Not Miss.” “It’s truly a hub of international commerce, culture and cuisine that never ceases to amaze.”

Saturday’s programming also features several walking tours of Flushing including cultural explorations led by Dr. Jack Eichenbaum, the Queens Borough Historian, and a tour of the neighborhood’s diverse and delicious cuisine led by Joe DiStefano, Queens-based food writer.

The Expo will also launch the “Passport to Flushing” food and culture crawl featuring a printed passport packed with special promotions and discounts provided by some of the area’s best local
restaurants, cultural venues, and retailers. Passports will be distributed to visitors to the neighborhood and will also be available at participating venues.

The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce expects the weekend Expo, Passport, and other programming to draw hundreds of visitors to Flushing to experience the neighborhood’s world-class restaurants, cultural venues, and hotels and learn why Flushing is not only the most
diverse neighborhood in the World’s Borough, but a growing destination for both international tourists and cutting-edge global businesses.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.worldsfair.nyc.

The Downtown Flushing Commercial Revitalization Steering Committee proactively engages stakeholders in commercial revitalization efforts primarily serving the collective needs of small businesses. The Committee also facilitates dialogue around the challenges and opportunities that impact small businesses, the commercial district and the economic landscape of the community, for the purpose of identifying and aligning resources. Members of the Steering Committee include Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblyman Ron Kim, Councilman Peter Koo, the NYC Department of Small Business Services, the Queens Tourism Council, and the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce.

“The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is proud to bring this Expo to Flushing,” stated Taehoon Kim, President of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “People from around the world have been coming here for decades to make Flushing, Queens, the most vibrant and dynamic community in the United States. The attention and admiration this Expo will generate for our amazing community is more than past due.”

The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce fosters the economic growth, inclusive diversity, and shared prosperity of our community through advocacy, networking, and education. As a
multicultural membership association, the Chamber is the collective voice that represents and advocates for the needs of our diverse business and civic community. We envision a community that is a beacon for economic opportunity, mutual respect, and solidarity. As we overcome challenges and reach for our dreams, we transform ourselves and redefine what it means to be an American. For more information, visit us at www.flushingchamber.nyc.

“Flushing is wonderful place to conduct business. Representing a diverse array of commercial institutions, Flushing is truly a major economic hub that continues to flourish,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “I would like to thank the Steering Committee for their hard work in
facilitating this business expo. The partners gathered for this event are dedicated to ensuring local businesses have the resources they need to succeed.”

Flushing’s World Fair is funded by SBS’ Neighborhood 360° Program, which was created by SBS to identify, develop, and launch commercial revitalization projects in partnership with local
stakeholders. Through this program, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce launched a three-year district marketing campaign called Flushing Fantastic. The 2019 Expo celebrates the end of the second year of Flushing Fantastic.

“Strong neighborhoods are the backbone of our city, and the $1.55 million in investments to Flushing is going a long way towards revitalizing key commercial corridors,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “By working with the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, we are responding to local needs to support small business growth and build more vibrant neighborhoods for all New Yorkers.”

Expo sponsors include Ridgewood Savings Bank, the Estate Law Center, HSBC Bank, Gree America Corp, Main Street Radiology, A Image LLC, Cushman & Wakefield, Hanover Bank, COTS Travel, United Commerce Services, and Brooklyn Crafted.

"As a Queens-based savings bank that understands the importance of Flushing's vital business community, Ridgewood Savings Bank is proud to be a major sponsor of the Flushing’s World Fair Expo. We enthusiastically support its goals of helping small businesses and fostering community revitalization." stated Carlos Sanchez, senior vice president and chief banking officer for Ridgewood Savings Bank.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.worldsfair.nyc.