41st Annual Ecomonic Development Conference
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 2010, Gurney’s Inn, Montauk
More than 150 business and government leaders turned out for the 41st annual conference, “Long Island’s Changing Economy: Are you ready?”
The conference kicked off with an afternoon seminar for area IDAs and Local Development Corporations hosted by William Weir of the law firm of Nixon Peabody, followed by a dinner address by Michael Smith of the New York Bankers Association.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano launched the conference’s second day of sessions, which included an economic overview and a lively panel on business and labor that featured Long Island Federation of Labor chief John Durso, building trades council president Jim Castellane, former ABC president Rebecca Meinking and Hempstead IDA director Fred Parola.
The conference’s panel on green construction included hotel developer Lee Browning, Envirotrac’s Peter Breen, construction legend Jack Kulka, Marc Clejan of Green Logic, Richard Kessel of the New York Power Authority and LIPA’s Bruce Germano.
Other speakers included Classic Coach president Bill Schoolman, who presented an update on the MTA tax, and New York Business Development Corp. president Patrick Mackrell, who also served as master of ceremonies for the conference. Among those honored at this year’s event: Paul Conte, who was inducted into the LIBDC hall of fame.
