More than 4,500 of Long Island’s business leaders filled the Hauppauge Industrial Association’s annual business expo Thursday for the region’s largest event dedicated to schmoozing, synergizing, and generating sales leads.
Nearly 400 exhibitors ranging from banks and retailers to sports teams and nonprofits were out in force at the 31st Annual HIA-LI Trade Show & Conference at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood.
“It’s a great opportunity to not only shake hands, it’s also become a real important major … economic forum,” HIA-LI President and CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli told LI News Radio.
While attendees milled about among the many booths to meet and greet local company leaders or listened to any one of the 10 different breakout panel discussions on issues facing the business community, the biggest line at the event was generated by none other than Chick-fil-A, which was giving out free chicken sandwiches.
“We do this every year as a way to say thank you to the industrial park,” said Bryan Beasley, the owner of Chick-fil-A’s Commack location.
