A letter from the HIA-LI President & CEO, Terri Alessi-Miceli
HIA-LI’S HEARD AROUND THE ISLAND: PG 80 News, Updates, Events, and Promotions from our member companies!
HIA-LI’S INDUSTRY LIST: PGS 77-78 Law/Legal
The HIA-LI is one of the recognized voices for long island business and a powerful force in regional and economic development. HIA-LI’S priorities include important initiatives and projects we will advocate for on behalf of the long island business community. We are committed to collaborating to build support for these priorities as we help restore the LI economy.
ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT. OUR MEMBER COMPANIES REPRESENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS.
MANUFACTURING REVITILIZATION
HIA -LI OFFICERS &
DIRECTORS
President & CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli (631) 543-5355
President Terri Alessi-Miceli (631) 543 - 5355
OFFICERS
OFFICERS
Chairperson Anthony Manetta Standard Advisors Group (516) 373-6200
President Terri Alessi-Miceli (631) 543 - 5355
LONG ISLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Support and advocate for efforts to improve infrastructure and promote economic development on long island.
• Long Island Innovation Park At HauppaugeAdvocate For The Growth And Sustainability Of The LIIPH, The Largest In The Northeast.
• LI Macarthur Airport - Build Support And Awareness For Town Of Islip Projects And The Expansion Of Long Island Macarthur Airport.
• Major Projects On LI – Identify And Highlight Additional Long Island Transformational Projects.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Work with business to identify challenges and government leaders to explore existing and emerging strategies to support long island business and quality of life.
RESTORE AND GROW MEMBERSHIP
Articulate our deepened value proposition to restore and attract new members.
• CEO membership – continue to create a forum for CEO’s and business owners to collaborate and brainstorm to grow their businesses.
• Premium Online Marketplace - Help Our Members Showcase And Connect Their Company Brand Virtually To The Long Island Business Community.
SMALL BUSINESS
Create an environment of business success by branding, educating, and advocating for long island small business.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Connect business needs and institutions to better attract Long Island’s future workforce. Develop strategies to attract, train and retain employees for Long Island business.
• Job portal - create a hub where businesses, job seekers, universities and partners can align on job creation and hiring.
WOMEN’S COLLABORATIVE
Support, educate and advocate for women business leaders to affect positive change and growth.
member s. Educate and showcase environmental
REBRANDING HIA- LI
Re - launch HIA-LI’s brand to communicate our unique value and solidify our position within the LI market. Modernize our logo showing that we are evolving to reach the next norm.
David BrookhavenManningNational Laboratory (631) 344 - 4747
Kelly Murphy Suffolk County IDA (631) 853-4802
Fritz (631) 367 - 0710 Bob Isaksen Bank of America (631) 547 - 7450 Ann-Marie Scheidt Stony Brook University (631) 216 - 7605
Robert Quarte AVZ & Company (631) 434 - 9500
Paule Pachter Long Island Cares, Inc. (631) 582-3663
Shybunko-Moore GSE
Dominick Pernice St. Charles Hospital (631) 862-3107
Steven J. Kuperschmid Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. (516) 663-6632
Rober t Desmond AIRECO Real Estate Corp. (631) 273 - 4255 Jim Coughlan Tritec Real Estate Co (631) 706 - 4113 David BrookhavenManningNational Laboratory (631)
OF BUSINESS
SUCCESS
Create forums to educate and connect growth and sur vival. Promote the HIA Tr ade Show and conference as a forum impor tant connection and discussion business, and workforce development
ALTERNATIVE
Scott Maskin SUNation Solar (631) 750 - 9454
Scott Maskin SUNation Solar (631) 750 - 9454
Devin Kulka The Kulka Group (631) 231-0900
Rich Isaac Sandler Training (631) 231- 3538
Rich Isaac Sandler Training (631) 231- 3538
Alex Lipsky Lipsky Construction (631) 472-4454
fman W & H Stampings
(631) 844-3819
Michael Voltz PSEG Long Island (631) 844-3819 Dr. Elana Zolfo Berkeley College (631) 338-8633
Michael Sabatini Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP (631) 930-5000
Jack Kulka Kulka Construction Corp. (631) 231 - 0900
Allan Lippolis Superior Washer & Gasket Corp. (631) 273 - 8282
Island Media Aoifa OʼDonnell (631) 588-8102 National EAP, Inc.
MANUFACTURING/ INTERN ATION AL TRADE
MANUFACTURING/ INTERN ATION AL TRADE
Kent (631) 367-0710 Farrell Fritz, P.C. HUMAN RESOURCES Mary Locascio (631) 750 - 1226
INTERN ATION AL TRADE
Joy Gracef fo (631) 427 - 1083
SALES & MARKETING
L.I. Essential Sof tware and Training
Joy Gracef fo (631) 427 - 1083 L.I. Essential Sof tware and Training
Joy Gracef fo (631) 427
Miriam Hubbard (516) 338 - 5454 PBI Payroll
Miriam Hubbard (516) 338 - 5454 PBI Payroll
SECURIT Y
SECURIT Y
Robert Lippolis (631) 273-8282
Superior Washer & Gasket Corp.
Lippolis (631) 273-8282
Washer & Gasket Corp.
Robert Lippolis (631) 273-8282 Superior Washer & Gasket Corp.
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
Rich Isaac (631) 231 - 3538 Sandler Training Raffelina Cipriano
MEMBERSHIP Rich Isaac (631) 231 - 3538 Sandler Training Raffelina Cipriano
Rich Isaac (631) 231 - 3538 Sandler Training
Allan Lippolis (631) 273 - 8282
Allan Lippolis (631) 273 - 8282
Superior Washer & Gasket Corp. TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS
Superior Washer & Gasket Corp.
David Pinkowitz (631) 491 - 5343 DCP Marketing Ser vices
Chris Coluccio TechWorks Consulting, Inc.
June 2025
HIA-LI UPCOMING EVENTS
HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, June 3rd, 8:30am -10:00am
TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, June 4th, 8:30am -10:00am
SUMMER EAST END NETWORKING MIXER WITH DISCOVER LONG ISLAND Thursday, June 5th, 4:00pm -6:00pm
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING Friday, June 6th, 8:45am -10:00am
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEET & GREET FEATURING
Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim Tuesday, June 10th, 8:30am -10:00am
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, June 12th, 8:30am -10:00am
HIA-LI UPCOMING PROGRAMS
HYPE COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, June 17th, 8:30am - 10:00am
EDUCATION/WORKFORCE CONNECTION COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, June 18th, 8:30am - 10:00am
PICNIC IN THE PARK
Wednesday, June 18th, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, June 24th, 8:30am - 10:00am
GOLF OUTING COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, June 25th, 9:00am -10:00am
MANUFACTURING/INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, June 26th, 8:30am -10:00am
YOUR ROADMAP TO HIA-LI MEMBERSHIP Friday, June 27th, 8:30am -10:00am
keepingcurrent
New Tariffs Could Result in an Increase in Food Insecurity
It seems that it was approximately seven years ago that the Trump administration waged a tariff war with the People’s Republic of China in an effort to level the playing field when it came to importing and exporting goods from both countries. During the previous tariff wars, China adopted a hardline position that appeared to be directed at America’s farmers and agriculture industry. Products like soybeans and corn that China imported from America were no longer being bought from America, and farmers were becoming increasingly concerned that some of their crops would have to be left to rot in their fields. This also meant that some farmers would lose their income and livelihoods.
In an effort to avoid farms from shuttering the Trump administration provided a $28 billion bailout for America’s farm families in order to have them avoid bankruptcy. Included in the $28 billion dollars, our nation’s food banks received an additional $1.6 billion in additional foods from the USDA to support The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and to compensate food banks for administrative
expenses. Long Island Cares, Inc., which the U.S Department of Agriculture has designated as the regional food bank for the Long Island Region has access to bring 4.5 million pounds of nutritious foods to Long Island to support nearly 280,000 of our neighbors that are struggling with food insecurity due to economic hardship. In a recent article published in Newsday on March 29 entitled, USDA Cuts Mean Cancelled Foods, Funds, Journalist Olivia Winslow reported that 250,057 pounds of government commodities or USDA foods approved for Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank were abruptly cancelled without a reason. Among the foods that were cancelled were eggs, milk, cheese, chicken, and turkey that would have provided approximately 190,000 meals for Long Islanders in need.
Here we are eight years later in 2025 with the Trump administration back in office and once again tariffs
are being placed on goods that America imports and exports from countries like Mexico, Canada, and China. This time the tariffs appear to be higher and will affect building supplies, automobiles, electronics, technology, and yes, food. While I’m not an economist, accountant, or financial expert I do know that those experts who define tariffs as a tax placed upon consumers are correct. If food costs increase by 10-30% we can expect that the number of Long Islanders faced with food insecurity will increase as well. What concerns food banks is that this potential increase will come on the heels of an already 30% increase in the number of families reaching out to community-based food support programs for help. In 2024, Long Island Cares provided assistance to an additional 65,000 people above the 221,000, identified as experiencing food insecurity by the USDA and Feeding America. At the root of this increase was the high cost of goods including housing, utilities, and food.
Now, with tariffs again being imposed on America’s trading partners we must be concerned about how many additional families will be joining the ranks of people that are going to struggle with food insecurity. And, if the USDA continues to cancel food shipments at the same time that the $1 billion to support The Emergency Food Assistance Program has been cut by 50% it will place food banks and community-based food support programs in a very difficult position by potentially having to turn people away or distributing less food than is actually needed.
LETTER FROM THE HIA-LI PRESIDENT & CEO
On May 29th, we will proudly presented the largest B2B Trade Show and Conference on Long Island at Suffolk Community College’s Suffolk Credit Union Arena With over 375 exhibitors and 5,000 business professionals attending, HIA-LI’s 37th Annual Business Trade Show & Conference in partnership with Sands New York was truly an incredible forum to showcase products and services while connecting to businesses. We’re extremely proud that this trade show and conference has turned into an important forum highlighting economic development.
Executive Programming
OurMorningKeynotefeaturedHarrisBeber,HeadofMarketingatGooglediscussingDemystifyingAI: What it is, What it isn’t and Why it matters for your Business.
Our Executive Luncheon highlighted Economic Development Projects Changing Long Island’s Landscape. CEO’s and featured speakers discussed revitalization projects like Belmont Park Village, Station Yards, BNL ElectronIONCollider,theLongIslandInnovationPark at Hauppauge, and much more.
Trade Show Talks on the floor and breakout sessions
Throughout the day, there were several new trade show talks right on the floor and complimentary breakout sessions to help attendees increase their bottom line and ensure their competitive future in this economy.
Wehopeeveryonewhoattendedhadaninspirationaldayfullofmeaningfulconnections.Businesscontinues to grow here in 2025!
With much admiration,
Terri Alessi-Miceli HIA-LI President & CEO
Turn One Studio Opens New Location in Hauppauge, NY
Eliud Custodio
Turn One Studio
Phone: 631-223-8124
Email: info@turnonestudio.com
Website: https://www.turnonestudio.com
Turn One Studio, a leading web design, podcast production, and digital marketing company with over 25 years of experience, is thrilled to announce the opening of its new location at 100 Motor Parkway, Suite LL8, Hauppauge, NY 11788. This move marks an exciting new chapter for the boutique marketing studio, which has served small businesses across Long Island with creativity, innovation, and personalized service for over 25 years.
To commemorate this milestone, Turn One Studio invited the community, clients, and local business leaders to attend a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening Celebration on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony featured remarks from Turn One Studio’s Founder and Creative Director, Eliud Custodio, who
shared insights about the studio’s journey, services, and vision for the future. Guests had the opportunity to tour the new space and network with local professionals.
“This new location represents our commitment to growing alongside our clients and continuing to provide top-notch marketing solutions to small businesses,” said Eliud Custodio. “We are also proud to be part of the Hauppauge Innovation Park, a thriving hub of economic development and innovation on Long Island, and we look forward to contributing to its vibrant business community.”
About Turn One Studio
Turn One Studio is a full-service web design, podcast production, and digital marketing company based in Hauppauge, NY. With over 25 years of industry experience, the studio offers a range of creative services, including photography, video production, custom website design, and marketing consulting. Known for its personalized approach and dedication to quality, Turn One Studio helps small businesses achieve their marketing goals with innovative and effective solutions.
FIRM COMMITMENT
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS
Astoria is the premier, trusted audiovisual production partner serving both Florida and New York. Astoria delivers exceptional event technology solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each and every client. We specialize in turnkey audiovisual production support. Our services include but are not limited to LED technologies, custom staging, high-end audio systems, live event production, and state-of-art lighting treatments designed to elevate your events.
The only health system on Long Island shaped by the spirit of Long Island
Keeping Long Islanders healthy has been Catholic Health’s calling since welcoming our first patients more than a century ago. Founded in faith, rooted in mission, our award-winning hospitals and health care services deliver the highest level of care, always fused with a healthy dose of compassion.
Catholic Health places patients at the center of everything we do, never neglecting the spiritual element in quality care. Simply put, no one cares for Long Islanders like we do.
Our integrated system spans six hospitals, numerous physician practices and multispecialty Ambulatory Care offices, firstclass imaging facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, rehabilitation centers, home health services and hospice care. With $3.4 billion in annual revenue and close to 18,000 employees, Catholic Health is one of the largest employers on Long Island.
Most recently, Catholic Health received one of the highest recognitions in health care— Press Ganey’s 2025 HRO Foundation Award, celebrating our leadership in high-reliability, quality and safety.
Driven by both innovation and operational
excellence, Catholic Health continues to acquire medical practices, expand digital pathways to care, and attract and retain the best medical talent in our region. Our $500-million-dollar patient care pavilion will soon open at Good Samaritan University Hospital, and we have just completed sweeping upgrades and expansions at a number of our emergency medicine sites across Long Island.
The physicians, nurses, technicians and supporting staff of Catholic Health are dedicated to providing Log Islanders an outstanding health care experience, always combining exceptional clinical care with human compassion.
Backed by over 160 years of service and the financial strength of Dime Community Bank, our Private and Commercial Banking team is your single point of contact when it comes to fulfilling your financial service needs.
Dime’s Private and Commercial Bankers not only have the experience to support your financial needs across business and personal lines, but are also empowered by the bank as your single point of contact with direct access to senior management to support all your banking needs.
Event Kings® is owned by husband-andwife duo Steven and Terry Vogel along with their daughter Madison Vogel and nephew Jared Goldstien. Together with their team of event professionals, they have more than 25 years of experience in producing truly amazing events.
From a corporate picnic of 7,000 people to a celebrity benefit to an intimate birthday affair, they have done it all and continue to take
on event challenges that come their way.
As a direct source we house all of your event needs under one roof. The Event Kings® team is committed to giving the utmost personal attention to each and every client and accept nothing less than perfection on all of their events.
Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York. At March 31, 2025, the Company had $97.6 billion of assets, $67.1 billion of loans, deposits of $73.9 billion, and total stockholders’ equity of $8.2 billion. Flagstar Bank is one of the largest regional banks in the country with a balanced, diversified lending platform and a branch network of approximately 400 locations across nine states. We have strong footholds in the greater New York/ New Jersey metropolitan region and parts of the Midwest and a significant presence in fast-growing markets in Florida and the West Coast. Our diversified business model underscores the complementary revenue sources—consumer, commercial real estate, retail banking, private banking, commercial banking, wealth, and mortgage services. The company’s total risk-based capital ratio of 15.17% continues to exceed the regulatory minimum to be classified as, “well capitalized,” the highest regulatory classification. Our recent actions include completing review of substantially all CRE loan portfolio, simplifying our business model through the sale of certain mortgage business segments, maintaining a strong liquidity position to $32 billion, growing private bank deposits by 15% since March 2024, growing retail bank deposits by 17% YTD, and taking actions to reduce costs across the entire organization. Our mission is to provide our clients with easy access to the full range of products and services they need, and the exceptional quality of service they expect and deserve.
With a growing presence in the Northeast, H2M architects + engineers has a strong reputation as a leader in the AEC industry.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS
For over 90 years, we’ve delivered thoughtful, forward-thinking solutions that shape the way communities live, work, and thrive—especially throughout Long Island. Our multi-disciplinary team brings together a wide range of specialties to solve complex challenges—always with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and community impact. From the beginning, H2M has been dedicated to advancing infrastructure that not only meets today’s needs, but also builds a foundation for the future. Whether it’s supporting access to clean water, creating sustainable energy solutions, or designing spaces that foster education and public safety, our work impacts people’s lives in meaningful ways. While our reach spans across regions, we’re deeply committed to Long Island and the people who call this region home. Our local partnerships, community engagement initiatives, and the projects we deliver reflect our passion for making a lasting difference. At H2M, we don’t just build infrastructure; we build relationships, trust, and stronger communities. With a commitment to excellence and an unwavering dedication to the people we serve, H2M continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of Long Island and beyond.
Long Island Cares,Inc. – The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank is not only named after the late singer/songwriter and advocate for the hungry. We were founded by him, too.
It was 1980, years after Chapin began his enduring role as an activist for the food insecure on Long Island and across America. Now, 45 years later, Chapin’s dream of feeding the hungry is being realized by Long Island Cares -which delivers enough food to pantries and other emergency distribution centers to provide millions of meals a year to the more than 280,000 neighbors in need among us.
Long Island Cares does this through our programs, too. We have six satellite locations that function as food pantries and more: Providing year-round meals for children whose families struggle to provide nutritious food three times a day; dispatching mobile pantries to seniors, the homebound, and the homeless; feeding food-insecure veterans and helping them return to the workforce; and
more. We even provide food and supplies to those struggling to feed their beloved pets.
As Harry Chapin once said, “To know is to care, to care is to act, to act is to make a difference.” Long Island Cares exists to make these words a reality.
Nationwide 360 has been crushing it in experiential marketing since before the phrase became a thing. Our name & our business model speak to the evolution of the face-to-face event industry into today’s immersive spaces.
We’re a full-service, turnkey powerhouse for everything brand experience. From designing and fabricating trade show exhibits and brand activations to crafting corporate environments, retail interiors, and even virtual and augmented realities — we bring bold ideas to life. And we’ve got the expertise to support every detail that makes it all work seamlessly.
Founded in 2002, Mason Technologies is a nationally recognized, woman-owned telecommunications integrator headquartered in Deer Park, NY. With over 200 W-2 CWA union technicians and a team of industrybest professionals, we design, build, and service world-class technology solutions across structured cabling (copper & fiber), data centers, audio visual, and security— including access control and CCTV.
We’re proudly certified as an MWBE by Suffolk County, Nassau County, New York City, the Port Authority of NY & NJ, and through WBENC. Our over 53,000 sq. ft. warehouse is fully stocked and ready to support projects of any scale and budget—without ever compromising quality
or reliability. With 24/7 service availability, we’re always there when you need us.
At Mason, our core values—integrity and family—guide everything we do. We operate with full transparency in pricing, design, capabilities, and service. Every project is treated with care, timeliness, and respect.
Diversity, inclusion, and professional pride are foundational to our identity. Our team brings together a range of backgrounds and experiences, united by a passion for quality work and dependable service. That passion shows in every solution we deliver—every cable run, and every rack, auditorium, data center, and security system built.
We’re not just technology integrators—we’re trusted partners who care deeply about the communities we serve. With Mason, your infrastructure is in capable hands, so you can focus on what matters most: your organization’s success.
Learn more at www.mason247.com.
Optimum Media is a powerful advertising partner for small and medium businesses and agency clients across the United States. Backed by our parent company, Optimum’s expansive reach, and leveraging our exclusive relationship with News 12’s awardwinning local news, we develop customized, strategic campaigns powered by first-party data, proprietary technology, and strategic partnerships across TV, mobile, and digital.
At People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union (PAFCU), we put people first—it’s even in our name! Since 1940, PAFCU has been committed to making our members the heart of everything we do. This year, we’re proud to celebrate our 85th anniversary of serving members with personalized care, trusted guidance, and financial solutions that make a difference.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS
As a not-for-profit financial institution, our mission is simple: to return value directly to our members. We do this through lowcost and no-cost products and services, competitive loan rates, and enrich member experiences—from financial seminars to member appreciation events. Whether you’re saving for the future, managing everyday expenses, or planning a big purchase, PAFCU is here to support your goals.
With headquarters in Hauppauge, NY, we serve members across six branches in New York and one in Miami, Florida. We’re especially proud to be part of the community at the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge—many who work here are already eligible to join!
Whether you’re an individual looking for smarter banking or a company seeking to offer PAFCU as a no-cost benefit to employees, you’ll find that our service, dedication, and care set us apart. Our members are more than customers—they’re part of the PAFCU family.
Join us as we celebrate 85 years of putting people first. Experience the PAFCU difference and let us help you achieve financial peace of mind—for today and tomorrow.
PSEG Long Island proudly serves approximately 1.2 million electric customers, from Far Rockaway to Montauk. Over the past decade, we have been committed to delivering exceptional customer service, best-in-class reliability and storm response, and a strong level of involvement in our communities.
Over the last decade, PSEG Long Island has become the No. 1 overhead electric service provider in New York State in both reliability and customer satisfaction. An important part of this journey has been finding ways to help businesses thrive.
We have provided more than $2.8 million in economic development grants and incentives to businesses and chambers of commerce across Long Island and the Rockaways to help them flourish. We provide an array of commercial energy efficiency programs and rebates for high efficiency LED lighting, HVAC
systems, thermal envelope improvements and more. We also offer incentives for infrastructure related to public charging for electric vehicles.
Customers who have taken advantage of PSEG Long Island’s energy efficiency programs have received rebates and incentives of more than $525 million, while helping to reduce their environmental impact.
We also know that business owners don’t always have time to research the incentives and grants PSEG Long Island offers. That’s why we organized PSEG Long Island’s Business First Advocates, who walk through local commercial districts and reach out to business owners, face to face.
PSEG Long Island knows the challenges businesses face here on Long Island, and we are steadfast in our commitment to help them, our communities and our economy.
At VoIPX International, we understand that business communication is not just about technology—it’s about trust, reliability, and service. As a proud sponsor, we are committed to redefining what exceptional support looks like in the telecommunications industry. Our hallmark? White-glove customer service that goes far beyond the standard.
VoIPX provides advanced, cloud-based VoIP solutions tailored for businesses of all sizes. But what truly sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to our clients. From day one, our team takes a hands-on approach—handling setup, training, and ongoing support with the utmost care and attention. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we craft every deployment to fit each client’s unique needs, ensuring optimal performance and user satisfaction.
Whether it’s assisting a startup with its first phone system or scaling a complex enterprise environment, VoIPX delivers concierge-level service every step of the way. Our U.S.based support team is available 24/7, ready to respond quickly and personally to any request—no long wait times, no generic answers, just real people who care.
We’re proud to be more than just a provider— we’re a true partner in your success.
With VoIPX International, your business communication is in expert hands.
Discover more at www.voipxpbx.com
Winters Bros., A WM Company, is the premier garbage collection and recycling company on Long Island, providing a full range of solid waste collection and recycling services to commercial, residential, industrial and municipal customers. Services are provided through a network of regional operations including multiple hauling locations, six recycling centers, and 12 transfer stations.
The following services are offered by Winters Bros. / WM across Long Island, with holiday hours available: garbage collection, roll off containers, dumpster rental, recycling, transfer services and trash removal.
With every Long Islander producing over five pounds of garbage each day on average, our region has never needed reliable and environmentally friendly solid waste solutions more than it does now. That’s why Winters Bros. / WM is committed to keeping Long Island clean. Through our state-of-theart recycling programs, we’re helping to convert waste into new products. Plastic into playgrounds, metal into new tools, and cardboard into new, sturdy boxes, all while meeting and exceeding environmental protection requirements.
Not only is Winters Bros. / WM the standard for sustainable solutions on Long Island, but we also have the highest safety standards of any service provider. Whether on the roads or at your home or business, our employees always make safety their number one priority.
Are you in need of our services at your home or business? Visit us online at www. wintersbros.com or give us a call at 631491-4923 / 516-937-0900.
EXHIBITOR LIST BY BOOTH NUMBER
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
T1
T2
T3 UNICO Islip/Smithtown Chapter
T5
T6 SCCC Entrepreneurial Assistance Program
T7 SCCC Continuing Education
T8
T9 Bricks & Minifigs
T10 Devorah
T11
T12
T13
T14
T15
T16
T17
T18
T19 SCWBEC
T20 Shiloh Piano and Cello Duo
V LI Sprinter Guy
MAJOR SPONSOR
EXHIBITOR LIST (ALPHABETICAL)
502 First Onsite Property Restoration 134 Five Towns College
S1 Flagstar Bank
FlexStaff 313 Flushing Bank
Foodies Cafe 309 Four Leaf Credit Union
402 Fully Promoted Garden City S22 Game Area - National Event Connections
400 GardaWorld Security Services
General Needs 229 GenReady
Global Computer Systems 421 Gold Coast Cigar 614 Good Times Magazine/LI Music Business Organization 406 Green Office Solutions
H2M architects + engineers
Harvest Power 610 Herald Community News Papers
HIA-LI 132 Hub International Northeast
Human Hire 305 Human Interest
Hyatt Regency 314 IMEG Consulting Corp.
430 Imperial Advisory 302/304 Imperity Group
420 Interchange Business Organization (IBO)
Island Chimney Service 303 Island Harvest
IVCi
329 Just Salad 308 JustWorks 609 JVC Broadcasting/LI News Radio
Kade Pay, Snap Pay Go
Kevin Wood Media 604 KHK USA
Laufer LLP
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
League of Yes
Len Marks Photography
Level Best Marketing
Lightpath
Lincoln IT
Long Island Auto Source
Long Island Board of Realtors
Long Island Builders Institute
Long Island Cares 214 Long Island Ducks
416 Long Island Educational Opportunity Center -
State College 127 Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Long Island Press
LongIsland.com 310 M&T Bank
T15 MacArthur Business Alliance 117 Maltz Auction
423 Marty Lyons Foundation
S2 Mason Technologies Inc.
Media Mechanix 613 Melville Chamber 200/202 Merch & Swag 331 Metro Security Experts 324 Midnight Genius 603 Molloy University 617 Moverz Group 223 Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union
S11 National Event Connection Inc.
S12 Nationwide 360 231 New Digital Printing Inc. 501 New Era Pump Systems
New York Life
New York Power Authority
New York State Department of Labor
New York State Insurance
New York State Workers Compensation
Newsday
NICE
Nickerson Corp
Northwell Direct
NY Dragons
Zips
Hello, Long Island!
Reaching
Whether
•Bespoke financing solutions
•Single point of contact
• Actionable insights Talk
Tamra Postiglione Managing Director, Market Executive Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens Commercial Middle Market Banking 516-355-1961
Tamra.Postiglione@flagstar.com
Cross-Platform Programs to Reach Your Audience
Long Island buyers love to support local business. Make sure they find your brand or business with turnkey solutions from Newsday.
Print & Digital Solutions
• Newsday and Newsday.com: Reach nearly 1 million Long Islanders each week.
• Hometown Shop ‘N Save: Multi-zone, hyperlocal, weekly e-circular filled with advertisers sales and services.
Source: Nielsen Scarborough, NY (Release 2). Base: Nassau/Suffolk Adults.
NewsdayTV
• Reach Long Island’s streaming audience with NewsdayTV – our hyperlocal and exclusive streaming news show. Select segment sponsorships available.
Digital Marketing Services
• Newsday Brand360: Tell your brand’s story with custom content that’s instructional, entertaining, and immediately actionable.
• Audience Extension Programs: Extend your marketing reach with targeted advertising tactics.
• Together Long Island: Shines the spotlight on local businesses community activism, corporate social responsibility and charitable contributions.
Newsday
Live
• Sponsorable events to educate, inform and entertain both business and consumer audiences.
For more information on Newsday’s marketing solutions, call 631-843-2500 or
With over 35 years of event service experience, we can handle any size gathering! Our in house programming team can handle any software customization request!
Let XPOexpress help manage your registration process! From a custom website to pre show communication, XPOexpress has you covered!
Check in Kiosks, walk up registration, and customized badge printing solutions to give your event a professional look and feel!
Online Registration Check In Badge Printing Event Marketing
Offset the cost of your event by leveraging our marketing opportunities! Digital Kiosks, Badge Customization, and more!
Our team provides full on site support from setup to post show tear down. XPOexpress provides all hardware, software, network, and support to maximize your ordering show success!
Unreal Exhibit, Event, and Brand Experiences
We’ve been crushing it in the experiential marketing industry since before the phrase became a thing. For over 65 years, we’ve been creating unforgettable exhibits and transforming interior spaces, all while making sure your brand isn’t just a part of the conversation—it’s leading the revolution.
Celebrating Excellence on Long Island
Banking that powers your business vision
Valley Bank is proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of HIA-LI’s 37th Annual Trade Show & Conference!
As a trusted financial partner, we’re committed to supporting Long Island’s thriving business community. Valley Bank — Relationships That Matter
Your partner in health care
With locations across Long Island, Catholic Health is here to provide comprehensive and convenient health care for you and your employees when and where you need it.
As your partner in health care, here is a highlight of the many services we offer:
• On-site health screening with the Catholic Health mobile unit.
• Urgent Care locations that provide non-emergency care as well as occupational health needs.
• Ambulatory Care facilities with primary and specialty care.
• Coronary Calcium Score scans to identify potential cardiovascular risks.
• Men and Women’s Health programs.
• Pregnancy support program with 24/7 access.
• Diabetes self-management education and support.
• Nationally-recognized care of St. Francis Heart Center and Orthopedics across Long Island.
Reserve your spot at our Urgent Care.
For more information, visit chsli.org/appointments or scan the code.
• Integrative Medicine program which combines the principles of functional and lifestyle medicine to optimize well-being.
• Weight management program.
• Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
• My CHS Rx retail pharmacy (prescription delivery service, home infusion therapy, access to specialty medications and more).
• Sleep medicine program including sleep studies and sleep apnea testing.
• Central Referral Office to assist with appointment scheduling and patient navigation(866)MY-LI-DOC.
HIA-LI Communicates With VoIPX Service
At VoIPX International, we’re proud to provide phone service to HIA, Long Island’s premier business association. Our VoIP services provide a range of benefits for HIA members, including:
• Reduced costs: VoIPX can significantly reduce your communication costs by leveraging your existing internet connection, eliminating the need for expensive phone lines and hardware.
• Increased flexibility: Our VoIP services allow you to make and receive calls from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. You can also manage your phone system remotely, making it easy to make changes and updates.
• Improved productivity: With features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, auto-attendants, and CRM integrations, VoIPX can help you stay organized and efficient, allowing you to focus on what matters most – your business.
If you ever need support after normal working hours, we are here to support you! 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
75+ Years of Trusted Business Technology Solutions
Central Business Systems is the trusted technology partner for businesses across Long Island. We deliver smart, secure, and scalable solutions that keep your office running at peak performance.
Empowering Long Island Businesses
Since
1948
Central is widely recognized as a leading provider of total document imaging solutions and comprehensive IT professional services. As an independent dealer, we maintain strong partnerships with top office technology brands—allowing us to deliver personalized, unbiased solutions tailored to your specific needs. Our dedicated team works closely with you to implement more productive, efficient, and cost-effective strategies that streamline your business processes.
Smart. Secure. Scalable.
Deep Industry Experience
We’re a family-owned, Long Island-based company delivering cutting-edge technology and personalized service for over 75 years. From startups to enterprises, we help you work smarter, safer, and more efficiently.
Industries We Serve
Healthcare
Legal & Finance
Education
Government
Manufacturing
Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
Did You Know?
Organizations can reduce print-related costs by up to 30% with MPS. 60% of businesses with managed IT services see improved efficiency through better system management and maintenance.
Optimize printer usage to reduce waste and costs
Automated supply replenishment and maintenance
Secure print solutions to protect sensitive data
Real-time reporting for smarter decision-making
Managed IT Services
24/7 system monitoring to prevent downtime
Advanced cybersecurity to protect your network
Cloud solutions and automated data backups
Responsive helpdesk support for your entire team
VoIP & Unified Communications
Seamless integration of voice, chat, and video
Secure, cloud-based communication platform
Increased collaboration with team and clients
Scalable solutions that grow with your business
Hunger is Closer To Home Than You Think
Right now, over 280,000 Long Islanders— including 58,500 children—are struggling with hunger.
A lost job. Reduced hours. An unexpected bill. That’s all it takes to push a family into crisis. We get it—you’re worried. So are we.
Inflation. Uncertainty. Rising costs. It’s hard for everyone, including those who want to help.
At Long Island Cares, we’ve stood strong for 45 years. But today, we’re facing one of our toughest fights yet.
If you can help, please give what you can. Every gift makes a difference. Every act of kindness matters.
Manufacture More Productive Employees
Through SUNY Suffolk’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, we are training Long Islanders to find rewarding careers through nationally certified programs that only take one semester to complete.
These workforce preparation programs are producing certified welders, CNC machinists and electronic assemblers that can increase the profitability of regional manufacturers and companies by keeping them moving forward.
Day and evening classes are now filling.
To learn how better-trained employees can help your business become even more successful, speak with our training experts at 631-851-6200 or visit sunysuffolk.edu/advancedmanufacturing.
At Coffee Distributing Company, a division of Canteen, our mission is to deliver exceptional break room experiences one cup of coffee at a time. We provide top-notch coffee and pantry services, eco-friendly products and innovative solutions to keep your team energized and satisfied.
For more information, please reach out to:
Alissa Fey
Regional Sales Director • Coffee Distributing Company alissa.fey@compass-usa.com • 516-864-1251
Your Ultimate market and vending solution
Canteen’s market and vending services offer a convenient and diverse selection of snacks, beverages and fresh food options to keep your team fueled throughout the day. With innovative technology and customizable solutions, Canteen ensures a seamless and satisfying break room experience.
For more information, please reach out to: Howard Goldstein
• 516-707-4906
Driving your business via video
Veteran media producer Kevin Wood provides rich media video services to small and large businesses who need to communicate their best attributes and offerings to both the public and the B to B(business to business) relationships they hold.
Consider:
●YouTube has over 2.5 billion users
●49% of people watch more than an hour of Facebook or youtube videos a week
●87% of online markets use video content
●1/3 of online activity is spent watching video
●Less than 10% of mom and pop businesses have developed quality video content for their social presence or web pages.
Our product, Binute™ is a ‘Business Minute’ - it allows any business to communicate to potential customers what they do - inside a minute length video. There is no more impactful way for a business to communicate.
keepingcurrent
Home Fire Sprinkler Week: How HIA-LI Members Can Raise Awareness
By Todd Corcoran,
W&M Fire & Security, 630 Broadway Avenue Unit 1, Holbrook, NY 1174, Phone: 631-472-4500, Email: Todd.Corcoran@wmfps.us, wmfireprotection.com
Home Fire Sprinkler Week is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity for us to come together and make a real difference in the safety of our communities. As business leaders and members of the HIA-LI, we have a powerful platform to help spread the crucial message about the life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers.
Why Home Fire Sprinklers Matter
Home fires continue to be one of the leading causes of death in structure fires, accounting for more than 80% of all civilian deaths. Today’s homes are built with modern, lightweight materials and open spaces that make fires burn hotter and faster. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of fatal fires that can develop in as little as two minutes. Modern dangers, like lithium-ion batteries, also pose new threats to homeowners.
While smoke alarms alert us to fire danger, it’s fire sprinklers that provide the critical protection we need. They respond quickly to heat (not smoke) and activate only in the area of the fire, limiting water damage. Fire sprinklers help save
keepingcurrent
lives by giving families time to escape, while also reducing property damage. Furthermore, they provide vital protection to firefighters by controlling fires before they spread, reducing the risk of flashover, a deadly stage of fire escalation.
How HIA-LI Members, Can Get Involved
Home Fire Sprinkler Week, co-sponsored by the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) and the NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative, gives us the opportunity to join a national effort to raise awareness about fire sprinklers in homes. Through a digital campaign, social media posts, and community outreach, we can help educate residents and other businesses about the importance of fire sprinklers.
As HIA-LI members, we can make a lasting impact. Here’s how we can get involved:
1. Use Social Media to Educate
• Share facts, infographics, and videos from the HFSC digital toolkit across our platforms.
• Highlight the life-saving benefits of home fire sprinklers and their role in protecting both residents and firefighters.
• Support local fire departments by sharing their posts and promoting their safety initiatives.
2. Promote Fire Safety in Our Workplaces
• Encourage employees to review their own home fire safety plans and discuss fire sprinkler benefits with their families.
• Host a fire safety awareness event or invite local fire experts to speak at our businesses.
3.Partner with Local Fire Safety Groups
• Collaborate with local fire departments and safety organizations to host sprinkler demonstrations or educational workshops.
• Offer resources to employees, clients, and customers about the importance of installing fire sprinklers in homes and businesses.
4.Advocate for Fire Safety in New Developments
• In industries like construction or real estate, we can advocate for the inclusion of fire sprinklers in new residential developments.
• Share the importance of fire sprinklers with clients, customers, and the broader business community. Making a Lasting Impact
While Home Fire Sprinkler Week serves as a focused reminder of the importance of fire sprinklers, we can keep this momentum going year-round. By incorporating fire safety awareness into our daily business operations and community initiatives, we can continue to protect lives and property across Long Island.
We know that home fire sprinklers are an essential part of fire safety. By using this week as a springboard for further outreach and education, we can collectively ensure that more homes, businesses, and communities are equipped with the life-saving protection they deserve.
Together we can help make Long Island a safer place for everyone. Let’s use Home Fire Sprinkler Week—and every day after—to advocate for the safety of our families, first responders, and communities.
AI Adoption: Bridging the Implementation Gap for Long Island Businesses
By Mollie Barnett AI Strategist & Business Growth Architect The SMART Company
Nearly two years into the modern AI era and many businesses are finding themselves in a state of uncertainty— watching as some organizations soar ahead in this new AI world while others yet are still struggling to identify their entry point. This growing disparity in AI adoption, and those still evaluating options, isn’t just anecdotal; recent Pew Research Center data confirms what many Long Island business leaders already sense: AI adoption isn’t democratizing the digital forefront, it’s widening the competitive gap.
What are the barriers that businesses are facing?
The primary obstacle isn’t the technology itself, but rather confusion and misconception surrounding general understanding, implementation and learning challenges.
It is understandable. AI experts acknowledge that the rapid evolution of the field presents continuous and evolving learning challenges.
“AI moves so fast you can’t feel it,” says Ruben Hassid, creator of one of the most popular AI tools, EasyGen.
Unlike conventional software purchases, AI functions as a strategic enhancement layer that connects existing operational frameworks—from sales and marketing to logistics and human resources—with growth objectives. Its analytical and predictive capabilities improve with usage or your input, explaining why enterprise-level organizations implementing comprehensive AI strategies are realizing disproportionate benefits.
Common AI Misconceptions
Several persistent misconceptions impede AI adoption in business:
The Technical Barrier Perception: Contrary to popular belief, effective AI strategy originates not from IT departments but from business operations specialists who understand organizational
workflows, objectives, pain points, and obstacles.
Automation and The Black Box: AI can supercharge automation, but not all AI is created equal. “Black Box” systems refer to AI models that make decisions without revealing how or why they arrive at them. This lack of transparency means you could be automating high-stakes tasks without understanding the logic-or the risks-behind the outcomes. When you can’t see inside the system, you can’t fully trust it. Strategic, transparent applications of AI consistent deliver better results—and keep you in control.
Cost Accessibility: The marketplace now offers numerous private, affordable—even free—AI tools suitable for smaller businesses, some operating directly on local devices without cloud data exposure.
The Plain Truth About Security: AI technology evolves too rapidly for security providers to develop protection frameworks that will outpace the world of the AI virus. Organizations utilizing generative or agentic AI systems must recognize their accountability, take precautions, and be vigilant in the protection and exposure to vulnerabilities regardless of vendor disclosure.
Delay Risk Profile: Ironically, postponing formal AI adoption also poses the risk of increasing organizational vulnerability. Employees frustrated by inadequate tools can resort to unauthorized “shadow AI” solutions that may compromise data security, contractual obligations, or regulatory compliance.
Strategic Implementation Framework
When approached methodically, AI serves not as a controldiminishing force but as an operational enhancement tool. When strategically implemented, AI enables businesses to focus resources on priority objectives, amplify workforce capabilities, and generate measurable value. It functions as part of your growth infrastructure rather than technological wizardry.
Routine task automation is an excellent way to increase efficiency and grow your profit margin but sophisticated AI applications offer capabilities including:
• Early client attrition detection
• Process inefficiency identification
• Enhanced seasonal demand forecasting
• Regulatory compliance reinforcement
The most significant benefit of AI?
Most would say its ability to diminish administrative workload; and allow for team members to redirect attention toward ideation, relationship building, deal closure, and tangible results delivery.
Industry Perspective: Brave Enough to Lead
AI, as we know it today, is just over two years into its mainstream breakout—but the groundwork has been years in the making. I’ve watched our digital ecosystems evolve in preparation for this shift: from the rise of large language models (LLMs) to the flattening of the sales funnel and the redefinition of the customer journey.
I’ve witnessed these changes from every seat in the house— inside the corporate engine rooms, across high-velocity agency environments, and as an advisor helping companies across Long Island adapt and thrive. As proud HIA members know, this region has weathered its share of economic and technological upheavals. But AI isn’t just the next wave—it’s a whole new tide. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the different, the creative, and the deeply individual. The kind of leaders who shape Long Island’s future.
You don’t need to be a technical expert to begin exploring AI. What you do need is a willingness to ask bold questions and a clear grasp of how your business delivers value—from operations to client experience. Strategic AI adoption means choosing the right tools, keeping people at the center, and staying aligned with your mission.
When implemented with intention, AI doesn’t just improve efficiency— it fuels growth, reveals new opportunities, and strengthens your competitive edge. And for HIA members committed to building a stronger Long Island, that’s an opportunity worth taking.
keepingcurrent
Economic Growth and Housing Challenges: Long Island’s Path Forward
Long Island’s economy is energized thanks to continued job growth and a drop in the regional unemployment rate since 2021, HIA-LI president and CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli said last week at the advocacy group’s annual Economic Development Symposium.
Much of that optimism comes from the development of communities like TRITEC’s Station Yards in Ronkonkoma and Shoregate in Bay Shore. “When we build strong, vibrant communities,” Alessi-Miceli said, “it fosters job creation and competitiveness and helps our young professionals by giving them an option to stay on Long Island.”
But in order to build these properties effectively, TRITEC Executive Vice President and Partner Jimmy Coughlan stressed that the region must find ways to overcome the series of challenges that have led to Long Island’s severe housing shortage.
Joined on the panel by government and IDA representatives, Coughlan pointed to statistics that rank Nassau and Suffolk near the bottom of a list of 141 large U.S. counties in overall housing growth since 2012. And of the five U.S. counties with 1.5 million residents, Suffolk County built nearly 80 percent fewer housing units than the next closest region in the same period.
Coughlan said Long Island faces a simple supplyand-demand issue. By not keeping up with demand, “prices start to rise, people start to get priced out and they look for other areas of the country where they have better affordability and quality of life.”
One of those areas is Austin, Texas, which Coughlan used as an example of how increasing supply is the most effective remedy for rising home costs. When prices skyrocketed due to the influx of homebuyers during the Covid pandemic, developers built more than 40,000 new apartments, and housing prices eventually dropped across all tiers.
Due to rising construction costs and inflation, TRITEC has only been able to start one new project in recent years, Coughlan said. And though addressing the affordability issue through government pricing requirements is “wellintentioned,” this type of legislation ultimately discourages housing development.
“Projects can’t be worth less than they cost to build,” Coughlan said.
NIMBYism remains one of the leading barriers to development of new housing, but with TRITEC’s successful revitalization of areas like Patchogue, Bay Shore and Ronkonkoma, “people are starting to get it,” Coughlan said. The 418-unit Shoregate development is 98% occupied within walking distance of locally owned restaurants and shops. Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said the residences have turned Bay Shore into a model of what Long Island downtowns can become. “Shoregate is a picture-perfect example of what transit-oriented development is all about,” she said.
Smithtown has received tens of millions of dollars in funding for sewer infrastructure, including $21.3 million from a New York State program in 2024, according to Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, which will benefit current and planned housing developments. Lack of sewer access is another barrier to increased housing supply in Suffolk County, Coughlan said.
Overall, Long Island created 91,000 non-farm jobs, 86,000 private-sector jobs and 25,000 healthcare jobs from 2021 to summer 2024, Alessi-Miceli said.
“We have a lot to be optimistic about,” she said, “but we have a lot more work to do.”
keepingcurrent
Demystifying AI – What It Really Means for Your Business
By Walter Pytell 495ai walter@495ai.com www.495ai.com
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been around for over 70 years, but since the launch of ChatGPT, it has become a household name—an acronym that now appears in everyday conversations. However, there’s an illusion that all AI is either as plug-and-play as OpenAI’s tools or that implementing AI in business requires a massive, complex transformation. The reality is somewhere in between.
AI is not just a trending topic—it’s a practical tool that, when applied correctly, helps businesses operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and improve decision-making.
In this article, we’ll break down what AI really is, how businesses can use it, and how to start implementing it today—without requiring a massive IT investment.
AI in Business: What It Actually Does
At its core, AI is simply a set of technologies that help machines process information, learn from patterns, and automate tasks. It’s not about creating human-like robots— it’s about enhancing business processes so they run faster, smarter, and with fewer errors.
For example, businesses use AI to:
•Process high volumes of documents – AI can extract, validate, and process documents up to 80% faster, reducing manual workload and errors. Businesses using AI-powered document automation see up to a 50% reduction in operational costs related to manual data entry
keepingcurrent
• Sort and classify emails – AI-powered email routing reduces response times by 60%, ensuring invoices, approvals, and customer inquiries reach the right department instantly. •Predict trends – AI-driven predictive analytics improves forecasting accuracy by 30-50%, helping businesses optimize inventory, pricing, and supply chain decisions before issues arise.
• Automate repetitive workflows – AI eliminates up to 90% of manual data processing, cutting reconciliation times from days to minutes and reducing financial reporting errors by up to 75%.
These are not futuristic innovations—they are practical solutions that businesses are already using to cut costs and improve operations.
Breaking the Myth: AI is Not Just for Large Corporations
One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it’s only for large enterprises with deep pockets and specialized teams. The reality? Small and mid-sized businesses can benefit just as much—if not more—by automating timeconsuming tasks and freeing up employees to focus on higher-value work.
Unlike expensive enterprise software that requires complete system overhauls, modern AI solutions are modular, flexible, and designed to integrate with existing business processes. For example, 495ai provides an AI-powered automation framework that connects to your current tools, whether it’s an ERP system, finance software, or email management platform. This means that businesses of all sizes can start using AI to eliminate inefficiencies without disrupting their operations.
How Businesses Can Start Using AI Today AI implementation doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is to start small, focus on areas with immediate impact,
and expand over time. Here’s a simple roadmap:
Step 1: Identify Repetitive, Manual Processes
Think about the biggest time-wasters in your business. Are employees manually processing invoices? Sorting emails? Manually reconciling financial data? These are areas where AI can bring instant efficiency.
Step 2: Automate Simple Tasks First
AI-powered automation can handle repetitive workflows immediately. For example, automating invoice processing can cut approval times by 70%, while AI-driven reconciliation can eliminate manual financial errors by up to 90%.
Step 3: Expand AI to Decision-Making
Once basic automation is in place, businesses can use AI for predictive insights—like forecasting demand, detecting anomalies in expenses, or optimizing inventory levels. Companies using AI-powered forecasting typically see 30-50% improvements in demand planning accuracy.
Step 4: Scale AI Across the Organization
As businesses grow, AI can connect more workflows across finance, supply chain, and operations—breaking down silos and ensuring smooth, data-driven decision-making. AIdriven automation reduces supply chain bottlenecks, leading to 15-25% cost reductions in logistics and procurement.
The Future of AI is Practical, Not Theoretical
The real value of AI isn’t in abstract concepts—it’s in solving everyday business challenges. Whether it’s reducing costs, eliminating inefficiencies, or improving decision-making, AIpowered automation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.
For businesses looking to scale efficiently, AI is the key to unlocking growth without increasing complexity.
The Plant-Based Diet: Benefits and Getting Started
By Lisa Zimmerman Founder and Coach
www.lifestylelinkLI.com
Lisa@LifestylelinkLI.com (631)748-0141
Americans eat more meat than any country in the world. We consume 225 pounds of meat each year on average, according to the USDA.
We’re so accustomed to our meat-based diets that many people don’t even know how to have a meal without it. Or, that you can get essential nutrients from other foods. Cue the surprised looks I get when I share that foods like peas and mushrooms have protein! They’re not as protein-dense as meat, but many plants, like beans and legumes, are rich in protein and other essential nutrients.
So, if it has so many health benefits, what’s stopping everyone from being plant-based? Or vegetarian or vegan?
Plant-based diets are often easier to adopt than a lot of people realize. With our meat-focused culture, tons of would-be-plant-eaters are missing out on how fun and delicious these lifestyles are.
Ready to dive into the wide world of brussels sprouts? Let’s do it.
What Is a Plant-Based Diet?
Okay, so let’s start with what a plant-based diet is not. Plant-based doesn’t strictly mean vegetarian or vegan. It doesn’t mean that you can only eat plants. In fact, one of the healthiest lifestyles in the world, the Mediterranean diet, is considered plant-based even though it includes meat and plenty of fish.
Plant-based diets just mean that your food choices focus on getting you key nutrients from fruits, veggies,
grains, and legumes rather than animal products. You can still eat meat, but you eat a much more moderate amount than someone who does not have a plantbased lifestyle. Ultimately, you can think of meat as a condiment and other foods as the main course in your diet.
Let’s also clear up what we mean by the word “diet.” When I refer here to a plant-based “diet,” I don’t mean a diet as in food-restriction-for-weight-loss. Diet here simply means the foods you habitually eat. The goal of a plant-based diet is to help you live a healthier, happier life in the long term. It’s a lifestyle choice, not a weight-loss program. The most important thing to remember is that food patterns are more powerful than single foods or nutrients.
Plant-Based vs Vegetarian vs Vegan Isn’t it great that we have so many options for how we eat? There’s vegetarian and vegan and flexitarian and pescatarian.
If you decide to follow a vegetarian diet, that means you don’t eat animal products like chicken, pork, beef, fish, etc. Many vegetarians will still consume dairy, and foods produced by animals or animal fats, like eggs, cheese, and butter.
Vegans, on the other hand, don’t eat any kind of animal products. They stay away from meat, fish, dairy, animal fats, and anything that contains eggs. They do not wear or use any animal products.
It’s more important to do what works for you than stick to a strict label.
Benefits of Plant-Based Diets
We’ve known for years that plant-based diets are better for virtually every part of your body, including your brain. Vegetarianism in particular is linked to better overall heart health, and there are hundreds of studies that show the links between vegetarian diets and lowering your risk of certain cancers.
It’s also shown to help prevent type 2 diabetes, which is developed in adulthood. Red meat is a known risk factor in diabetes, so plant-based folks have better
outcomes.
There’s been a lot of media reporting about the Mediterranean diet lately because of its purported health benefits. While I think it’s always best to be thoughtful about any kind of popular diet, the Mediterranean diet has been so successful for so many because it really is more of a lifestyle change than a traditional “diet.” It’s plant-based and offers a lot of flexibility, and is widely accepted as one of the top diets for overall health and longevity.
One more exciting benefit of plant-based diets: once you get the hang of them, they can help cut your food and grocery costs. How many of us have seen a chunk of our grocery budget go toward meat? With a family pack of chicken breast selling for $20 these days, reducing meat in your weekly list can help cut costs and teach you new and inventive ways to cook.
You can even save money eating out. It costs up to $5 to add chicken to a salad, but adding extra beans? Maybe $0.50.
Remember, plant-based diets are not a novelty. People and cultures all over the world thrive on plant-first diets. Once you change your mindset around meat and learn all the amazing things plants can do, you’ll be reaching for those protein-packed fresh peas without a second thought.
Can You Really Get Enough Nutrients on a PlantBased Diet?
The answer, and I can’t stress this enough, is YES. In the U.S., we’ve been conditioned to think meat in large quantities is absolutely necessary to our health. This is more due to cultural reasons than health ones.
Feel free to enjoy eating meat if it makes you happy. Just know that you may not require as much of it as you think, and you’ll likely have a longer, healthier life with more good years if you reduce it.
When adopting a plant-based diet, planning is key. If you’re used to adding meat to a dish to get your protein and iron, think carefully about how you’ll compensate for that. Nuts and legumes are packed with protein, so
they’re going to be a big part of your diet going forward. You may also be surprised to learn which foods have different nutrients. For example, spinach has a ton of iron, and blackberries and pumpkin seeds have zinc. And remember if you hate kale like me, don’t eat it! There are thousands of different plants to try. Go explore your local farmer’s markets and produce stands.
How to Get Started
Here are some next steps:
1. Learn about what’s in your food. Nutrition apps can help familiarize you with food and what’s in it. This will make it so much easier to eat and cook on the fly. Log what you eat or plan to eat to see how your nutrients stack up.
2. Change your mindset about meat. You can do this! Many of us have been conditioned to think of meat as the main dish, and vegetables, grains, and legumes as “sides.” Try building a dish around a salad or make a quinoa bowl – you can even include meat, just don’t make it the main event.
3. Cook a fully vegetarian meal once per week to start. Try something new to learn more about vegetarian cooking and get used to the meatless life. Meatless Mondays are a great way to start.
4. Eat healthy fats. If you’re used to eating meat at every meal, having lots of healthy plant-based fats like nut butters or avocados can help you satisfy that savory need.
5. Have a lot of variety. This helps keep things interesting and helps you stay excited about your food. Remember, there are tons of ways to eat veggies, grains, and legumes. Look up recipes from places where plantbased lifestyles are more common, and don’t be afraid to try flavors and spics you haven’t before.
6. Use fresh herbs. Fresh herbs are a game-changer no matter what you’re cooking. Including them in your plant-based lifestyle will liven up dishes and make cooking fun.
7. Be kind to yourself. Making a lifestyle change is hard! It’s most important that you’re making choices you can stick with. Small incremental changes make life staggering results.
THE HAMLET GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Lisa Pizzo
GTR & ASSOCIATES, INC.
George Talibon | (631) 560-8966 george.talibon@gmail.com
Northwell Direct 1111 Marcus Avenue New Hyde Park, NY 11042 (844)-694-3728 www.northwelldirect.northwell.edu
Northwell Direct is the leading direct-toemployer solution for the greater New York Metro, delivering enhanced access and affordability through our high-value network, employer-based health and wellness services, and concierge navigation experiences. Backed by trusted community partner Northwell Health–New York State’s largest health care system–we offer access to over 30,000 providers. Our mission is to make high-quality, whole-person healthcare more affordable and accessible for employers, employees, and their families.
Center for Wealth Preservation 1393 Veteran’s Memorial Hwy. Suite 307S Hauppauge, NY, 11788 (631) 851-5700 www.cwpmetro.com
Financial planning is more than managing money—it’s about empowering individuals and families to reach their unique financial goals with confidence. Our expert team offers guidance in Business Solutions, Estate, Education, Retirement, and Special Needs planning, ensuring comprehensive support at every stage.
We believe in a personalized approach, tailoring financial strategies to each client’s needs. By taking a holistic view of their financial situation, we craft plans that align with their long-term objectives. Building strong, trusted relationships is at the heart of what we do, and we prioritize open communication to help clients make informed financial decisions.
Our commitment is to provide clarity, guidance, and strategies that bring financial security and peace of mind. No matter the financial challenge, we’re here to ensure our clients’ best interests always come first.
CN Guidance and Counseling Services
950 South Oyster Bay Road Hicksville, NY 11801 516-822-6111 www.cnguidance.org/
At CN Guidance, hope starts here.
With 50+ years’ experience addressing mental health and substance use conditions, our nonprofit behavioral health agency annually impacts more than 31,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds on Long Island by delivering 60+ Clinical, Residential, and Community-based programs.
Our programs and services include:
•Mental Health Treatment for a wide range of issues faced by children, youth, teens, adults, and older adults
•Treatment for Substance Use issues individuals or their families may be facing
•Recovery Supports including Peer Counselors, Jail Diversion, & our Mobile Recovery Unit
•Telehealth & Mobile Services ensuring diagnosis, treatment, & support services are accessible to all
•Housing Services to provide stability during temporary crisis or longer-term support in a variety of locations
•Programs for Unique Populations such as Veterans; people with disabilities; homeless individuals; children & teens; & seniors
•Training & Workshops on topics like mental health first aid, job skills, overdose reversal, & child trauma
•Case Management to coordinate care, apply for benefits, & access resources for daily needs
As a proud HIA-LI member, we actively engage with L.I. businesses to improve safety, resilience, and wellbeing across our communities. Each year, dozens of area business leaders and organizations partner with CN Guidance, join our events, and collaborate on programming with wide reach and quantifiable impact. Right now, we welcome business partners interested in supporting the launch of our new Community Crisis Center later this year. Contact us today to learn more!
Family & Children’s Association (FCA)
377 Oak Street, 5th Floor. Garden City, NY 11530
516-746-0350 www.fcali.org
Family & Children’s Association (FCA) is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening Long Island’s most vulnerable individuals, families, children, seniors, and children. For nearly 140 years, FCA has been a trusted resource, offering support across every stage of life— from at-risk youth and struggling families to isolated seniors and those battling addiction or mental health challenges. Guided by our mission to uplift those in need, we deliver compassionate, innovative services that promote stability, resilience, and long-term well-being. We envision a Long Island where every individual has the opportunity to
achieve optimal health, educational success, and economic security—building a stronger, more equitable future for generations to come.
2350 NY-110, Farmingdale, NY 11735
Hooper Hall (631) 434-3740 www.longislandeoc.org
Empowering Upward Mobility! Best Adult Education on Long Island
Education doesn’t have to end when you reach adulthood. Whether you’re looking to obtain your diploma, earn an advanced certification in your field or simply want to enlighten your mind with new forms of knowledge, there’s nothing stopping you from reaching your goal. Stop waiting and go check out the best adult education program on Long Island.
2025: Long Islanders Voted the Long Island Educational Opportunity Center
“Best Adult Education on L.I.”
Long Island Educational Opportunity Center 1090-A Suffolk Avenue, Brentwood, NY 11717 (631) 434-3740 – longislandeoc.org
The Long Island Educational Opportunity Center (LIEOC) has been helping adult students achieve their academic and vocational goals for over 50 years. Operating under State University of New York, the center offers tuition-free classes designed to prepare individuals for success in both education and the workforce. The LIEOC provides a wide range of programs, including Allied Health Education, Business Careers, High School Equivalency, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and more. The center works closely with businesses, government, and communities to create a skilled workforce that is competitive in the global economy. The center’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity helps students build the practical skills needed for dynamic careers. With a focus on transformative education, the LIEOC is dedicated to empowering individuals to succeed in their chosen fields and improve their quality of life.
Optimum Business 1111 Stewart Avenue Bethpage, NY 11714 844-795-0618 www.optimum.com/business
Optimum Business is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States. Our solutions are ideal for organizations that require secure, reliable connectivity
from a team of dedicated experts focused on customer success. We are present in 21 states and our services include Internet, Phone, Network, Security, Managed Services, Mobile, and Bulk TV––backed by the Optimum Business nationwide network and industry-leading SLAs.
We serve customers in retail, food & beverage, personal services, hospitality, manufacturing, government, healthcare, education, and finance.
Insightful Business Planning Sayville, New York Phone: 631-887-5447 www.insightfulbusinessplanning.com
From Daily Grind to Strategic Growth — Own Your Business Fully Insightful Business Planning (IBP) is a strategic consulting firm dedicated to helping small business owners bridge the gap between business performance and personal financial freedom. Through tailored financial planning and operational strategy, we deliver clarity, confidence, and control.
At IBP, we take a comprehensive approach to business strategy. We begin with a detailed Business Assessment to uncover financial and operational constraints. Our Strategic Road Mapping process offers a customized action plan to guide growth, enhance efficiency, and build resilience, with integrated cash flow strategies that support long-term goals. We don’t only deliver data, we empower clients by translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insights that drive confident decision-making.
Our work gives business owners the tools and perspective they need to lead with intention, turning financial complexity into a roadmap for success.
TPx
Austin, TX (with employees across the US) 1-866-603-0624
https://www.tpx.com/
TPx is a nationwide managed service provider helping organizations navigate the growing complexity of their IT environments. Founded in 1998, TPx offers comprehensive managed IT services including internet, networks, cybersecurity, and cloud communications. With a focus on service, TPx is dedicated to the success of its customers by making IT easy with solutions that address today’s evolving technology challenges.
HEARD AROUND THE ISLAND
APPOINTMENTS, PROMOTIONS, HONORS & OTHER HAPPENINGS
DIX HILLS, NY – The Art League of Long Island invites the public to enjoy a lively celebration of creativity at Art in the Parking Lot, taking place Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the Art League’s grounds at 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Now in its 55th year, this reimagined version of the beloved Art in the Park event offers a fun, family-friendly outdoor experience with over 50 artists and craftspeople displaying and selling their original artwork, including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, woodwork, photography, wearable art, and more. It’s an excellent opportunity to find unique, handcrafted pieces while supporting local and regional artists.
The day’s festivities will also include live music from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM performed by Ella Beiser, delicious offerings from food trucks, and hands-on craft activities for children.
experience in complex commercial litigation matters spanning a variety of industries.
Mr. Browser, a Dix Hills, NY resident, earned his J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and his B.A., cum laude, from Binghamton University.
Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP, the Awards Sponsor of LIBN’s 2025 Real Estate, Architecture & Engineering Awards, is proud to announce that the firm will be recognized with respect to the following:
Top Property Tax Assessment Firm
The Tax Certiorari practice group is co-chaired by partners John V. Terrana and Donald F. Leistman.
Rising Star - Construction Partner Bret L. McCabe
Top Projects – Top Renovation/Reuse/ Redevelopment Projects
Nassau Logistics Center, Hicksville Partners Daniel P. Deegan, Judy L. Simoncic and John P. Gordon
L.E.B. Electric has made a generous donation to support Canine Companions’ Veterans Initiative, a program dedicated to providing service dogs—free of charge—to Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This initiative not only helps restore independence but also provides vital physical assistance and emotional support to those who have served our country.
As part of this contribution, L.E.B. Electric is funding two To-Go Canine Care Kits, which are provided at no cost to the Veterans receiving a service dog. These kits include essential care items such as food and feeding supplies, grooming tools, bedding, toys, flea, tick, and heartworm medications, and a certified service dog vest for use in public settings.
Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP welcomes Adam L. Browser to the firm’s Construction practice group as a Partner.
Mr. Browser serves on the Board of Directors of the Nassau County Bar Association. He is the Chair of the Construction Law Committee.
Prior to joining FDT, Mr. Browser was Of Counsel to a Uniondale-based law firm, where he gained
Sasserath & Co. welcomes office manager, Ruth McLeod! Ruth brings her expertise in organization, operations, and team support, ensuringeverythingrunssmoothly
UCP of Long Island is proud to announce that Robin Lane has been promoted to the newly created role of Chief Program Officer (CPO). A dedicated member of the UCP-LI family since 1993, Robin has over 35 years of experience providing services to individuals with disabilities.
Robin began her journey with UCP-LI as a Residential Manager, holding various leadership roles within the program, including Associate Director. Her most recent position was Director of Quality Management and Corporate Compliance. In this role, she had the responsibility for Incident Management, Quality Assurance, and Compliance, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
MMALI
WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS ON LONG ISLAND
MAY 21ST | 8AM - 10AM AT
Panelists:
Noel Goddard CEO, Qunnect Inc.
Brittany Handelson Managing Director
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Janet Koch CEO, Variety Child Learning Center
Lauren Nichols President 3G Warehouse, Inc
Moderator:
Teresa Ferraro CEO and President East/West Industries Inc.
