With over 500 people in attendance and a growing list of proactive accomplishments, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Meeting and Trade Show highlighted how a strong and united business community continues to drive the borough’s economy and brand.
The event, held Wednesday, at Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island, drew some of the borough’s top elected officials and business leaders from across the city and Brooklyn.
“Our partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce strengthens our global promotion of New York City as the world’s most exciting destination,” said Keynote Speaker Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. “Visitors want to experience the ‘authentic’ New York City, and that growing interest in borough neighborhoods and culture means the opportunity for visitor exploration and spending throughout Brooklyn is greater than ever.”
Among the Chamber’s accomplishments for the year included the first-ever Brooklyn Night in Washington, D.C., the CHEERS NY craft beverage festival and innovative partnerships with both Google and Airbnb.
“Brooklyn is always one step ahead, and I’m proud that the Chamber continues to find innovative ways to keep up with this incredible borough,” said Brooklyn Chamber President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura. “We certainly made quite an impact in 2015, whether it was through fantastic events like CHEERS NY, BKLYN DESIGNS or Brooklyn Night, incredible partnerships with Airbnb and Google, or the release of our Brooklyn Economic Report. I think it’s pretty clear, we’re not your grandparent’s Chamber.”
Another highlight of the evening was the 3rd Annual Brooklyn-Made Awards, honoring the finest products of 2015 in the categories of food, beverage, design, apparel & accessories, tech/hardware and M/WBE. This year’s winners, which were chosen by an independent jury, are:
Food: Jomart Chocolates
Since 1946, Marine Park’s Jomart Chocolates has been serving their chocolate covered marshmallows, butter crunch, nut brittles and pretzels handmade to perfection.
Beverage: Brooklyn Seltzer Boys
Brooklyn Seltzer Boys delivers old fashioned seltzer filled by the last remaining seltzer shop in New York City–Gomberg Seltzer Works, Inc. They deliver seltzer in old-fashioned siphon bottles directly to your home or business.
Design: Watermark Designs
For more than three decades, Watermark Designs has been a leading manufacturer of decorative plumbing fixtures, bathroom accessories, lighting and elegant hardware for the luxury commercial and residential markets. Based in East New York, Watermark’s designs are a reflection of the creative melting-pot from which they hail.
Apparel & Accessories: Riva Precision
Over the course of two decades, Ted Doudak and the Riva team have built a world-class manufacturing firm, now based in the Brooklyn Army Terminal, that specializes in high reliability and consistency for the world’s leading jewelry retailers.
Tech/Hardware: DeVore Fidelity
Founded by president and chief designer John DeVore in 2000, DeVore Fidelity has gone on to receive universal acclaim for their custom built, state of the art speaker systems, manufactured at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
M/WBE: Brooklyn Cupcake
Founded by sisters Carmen Rodriguez and Gina Madera, Brooklyn Cupcake is a story of unconditional belief and unrelenting commitment. What began as simply weekend cupcakes for the family children has become NYC’s celebrated new cupcake shop. Taking advantage of their mixed cultural background and Brooklyn upbringing, the sisters created a menu of Puerto Rican and Italian inspired cupcakes. The flavors included favorites like Flan, Dulce de Leche, Tres Leche, Tiramisu, Rainbow Cookie and Coquito.
