New York City Council Member Vickie Paladino, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and the Bayside Historical Society invite the whole community to the Annual Independence Day Fireworks Show and Concert on Wednesday, June 18th at Fort Totten Park. This annual event draws thousands to celebrate a night of fireworks, food and family fun. This year’s celebration, which happens rain or shine, promises to be another incredible night with a wonderful show provided by Fireworks By Grucci. 
 
“The Independence Day Fireworks Show and Concert is returning to Fort Totten, and we couldn’t be more thrilled,” said Councilwoman Vickie Paladino. “Together with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Bayside Historical Society, we are proud to bring this beloved tradition back to our community. A heartfelt thank you to the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the Bayside Historical Society, the Parks Department, NYPD, FDNY, EMS, U.S. Army, DSNY, Citibus NYC, Fireworks by Grucci, the Office of Emergency Management, Borough President Donovan Richards, Commonpoint Queens, the Citywide Event Coordination and Management Office of the Mayor, the City of New York, and the many others whose hard work and collaboration made this event possible. We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you!”

“We’re proud to once again bring this incredible celebration to Fort Totten Park. This event is a true community effort that brings together families, neighbors, and partners from across Queens to kick off the summer in a big way,,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We’re grateful to Council Member Paladino, the Bayside Historical Society, and all of our sponsors and city agencies for helping us make this a safe and memorable evening.”
 
“With funding provided by Council Member Paladino and the Queens Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to announce the return of the BHS annual concert and fireworks show in Fort Totten,” said Paul DiBenedetto, Vice President of the Bayside Historical Society. “BHS at the Castle serves as a cultural destination within the Fort Totten Historic District, and hosting an Independence Day Celebration right outside our front door is a great way for the community to link the past with the present. We look forward to this year’s event being even bigger and better than it’s been in the past.”
 
Admittance to Fort Totten Park will begin at 5:00pm. There will be fun activities for kids and food trucks on site. The evening will feature musical performances by Chicken Head Rocks and Phil Costa and the Something Special Big Band. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. The fireworks will begin promptly at 9:15pm and attendees must enter the park by 8:30pm.

Guests are encouraged to walk or bus to the event. Limited parking will be available at the Little Bay parking lot, underneath the Throgs Neck Bridge, along Bell Boulevard west of Fort Totten, and along Utopia Parkway. Off-site parking with free shuttle bus access will be available at the Clearview Golf Course and the Bay Terrace Shopping Center beginning at 5:30pm. After the fireworks display, the buses will return spectators to their pickup locations through 10:15pm.

Alcohol and umbrellas are not permitted at the event. All bags, coolers, backpacks, etc. will be inspected by the NYPD upon entrance.

Press release available for download, below.

On May 6, hundreds of business leaders from Queens visited Albany to meet with their legislators as the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Queens Day in Albany. The annual event gives local business leaders the opportunity to advocate for the interests of businesses in the state capitol. Chamber members met with dozens of members of the State Senate and Assembly, then enjoyed food from more than 40 restaurants from across the borough at the “A Taste of Queens” reception, whereRobert Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), delivered remarks. 

“Supporting and uplifting our small business community remains at the heart of our mission,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Our trip to Albany is an important opportunity to make sure the voices of Queens entrepreneurs are heard. I’m grateful to the business owners who joined us and to the lawmakers who took the time to listen and engage with us on the issues that matter most.”

Dormitory Authority of the State of New York President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, "I was honored to deliver keynote remarks at Queens Day in Albany and thank the Queens Chamber of Commerce for this opportunity to connect with the borough's vibrant business community. DASNY is investing in Queens' future through nearly $800 million in projects that strengthen educational institutions, create community facilities and support local development."
 
During meetings with elected officials, Chamber members brought up several issues from the Chamber’s 2025 Legislative Agenda that impact businesses in Queens and throughout New York State.
 
“I thank the Queens Chamber for hosting Queens Day at the State Capitol. We met with members of the business community, and I was delighted to sponsor the Senate resolution honoring them. During the evening, we sampled food from restaurants which they brought with them, so people from all over the State had a ‘taste of Queens,’” said State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky.
 
“It was my pleasure to attend ‘Queens Day in Albany’ and have the opportunity to
meet with so many diverse businesses and experience their fine cuisine. I thank the
Queens Chamber of Commerce for organizing this important event, for all the
work they do to support our small businesses, and for ensuring our borough remain
a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Assemblymember Vivian E.
Cook.
 
"Queens Day in Albany is a great opportunity for my colleagues to share our experience with the many things that make Queens so great," said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. "I appreciate the effort the Queens Chamber and all the local businesses put into making this year's Queens Day another incredible event."
 
“Queens Day is always a special moment for our borough. I want to thank Tom Grech and the Queens Chamber for bringing such a strong group of business owners to Albany. Sitting down with local entrepreneurs and sharing a true ‘Taste of Queens’ was a great reminder of the talent, culture, and drive that make our borough stand out. I’ll keep fighting to make sure they get the support they need to grow and thrive,” said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie.
 
“Queens Day in Albany is a powerful reminder of the innovation, diversity, and resilience that define our borough’s business community. I was proud to welcome the Queens Chamber of Commerce and hundreds of entrepreneurs from Southeast Queens and beyond to the Capitol. These businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods, and I’m grateful to Tom Grech and the entire Chamber team for their tireless work in bringing our voices to Albany. Thank you to all who participated and continue to advocate for a stronger, more inclusive economy in Queens,” said Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman.
 
Press release available for download, below.

Today, two Queens small business owners were honored by the Five Chamber Alliance and TD Bank at a ceremony celebrating outstanding minority and women business leaders. Maxi Lau-O'Keefe, owner of Maxi’s Noodles, and Catanya Gilliam, owner of Nana’s Love LLC, each received a Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Award from the city’s five boroughwide chambers of commerce in recognition of their contributions to New York City’s small business community. These two businesses are represented by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
 
“Queens is a powerhouse when it comes to diverse, driven, and dynamic entrepreneurs, and Maxi and Catanya represent the very best of that spirit," said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. "We’re incredibly proud to see two Queens business owners recognized for their passion and hard work. Their success is a win for our borough and a reminder of the vital role MWBEs play in strengthening our communities.”

"You will never be ready, just start," said Maxi Lau-O'Keefe, owner of Maxi's Noodles. "It's a simple phrase, but it's guided me every step of the way. Starting a business, especially as a woman of color, takes courage, but I believed in my vision and the power of sharing my culture through food. This award is a personal honor and a celebration of every small business owner who dares to start. I'm deeply grateful to the Queens Chamber, the Five Chamber Alliance, and TD Bank for recognizing and uplifting MWBEs across our city."
 
"At Nana’s Love, we believe in blending cultures, serving with heart, and leading with purpose,” said Cantanya Gilliam, owner of Nana’s Love LLC. “Being recognized as a Five Borough MWBE Award recipient is more than an honor — it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality, community, and the legacy of love that inspires everything we do. We are humbled, grateful, and motivated to continue building bridges through food and faith."
 
The event, hosted at One Vanderbilt in Midtown Manhattan, included remarks from New York City Small Business Services Commissioner Dynishal Gross.
 
“Queens is one of the world's most diverse and dynamic communities, and home to some of the best small businesses New York City has to offer," said Dynishal Gross, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services. "Congratulations to Maxi Lau-O'keefe and Catanya Gilliam, and all of the honorees at this year's Five Borough MWBE Awards. They are shining examples of the ambition of small business owners to do what they do best, grow in this amazing city and be celebrated."
 
In addition to the distribution of awards, the event highlighted the importance of the Small Business Resource Network (SBRN) and its commitment to supporting MWBEs, which represent 76% of the businesses it serves. SBRN is a comprehensive approach to small business resiliency that offers free, personalized guidance and support to help businesses grow and thrive.
“Maxi and Catanya are perfect examples of the entrepreneurial spirit MWBE’s bring to our city, especially here in Queens, one of the most diverse places on Earth,” said George Hadjiconstantinou, Strategic Program Manager at the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “They’ve built something special, and it’s great to see them get the recognition they deserve. We’re proud to be a part of their journey and will continue to support them however we can.”
The other borough winners of the 2025 Five Borough MWBE Awards include:
 

• Miguel Aguaysa, owner of Real Madrid Restaurant, Staten Island
• Danielle Raleigh, owner of Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor, Staten Island
• Grace Figueroa, owner of Happy Bowls, Manhattan
• Qiana Martin, founder of Eat Soccer, Manhattan
• Kermit Middleton, founder & CEO of Cluster Technology Group, Bronx
• Jessica Ortiz-Gonzalez, vice president of operations, American Maintenance 3 Janitorial Services and Supplies Co, Corp., Bronx
• Alexander Small, owner of IX Restaurant, Brooklyn
• Chantel Jackson, owner of Teazert Tea Shoppe, Brooklyn 

Press release available for download, below.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest business association in Queens, announced the results of its Annual Meeting & Election of Officers and Directors today.

Carl Mattone, President of Mattone Investors, LLC, has been elected Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, succeeding Howard Graf, who served as Chair for the past year and will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past Chair.  They are joined on the Executive Committee by Nash Roe, Vice Chair and Partner–Executive Vice President at Acrisure; Dave Daraio, Treasurer and Executive Vice President & COO of Maspeth Federal Savings; Lorraine Chambers-Lewis, Associate Treasurer and President of LIJ Forest Hills Hospital Northwell Health; Michelle Stoddart, Secretary and SVP of Community Development at Resorts World New York City; and Maria Odysseos, Associate Secretary and VP, Sales & Service Leader at ConnectOne Bank.

Joining the Board of Directors is Kevin D. Kim, Partner at Innovo Property Group and former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services. Mr. Kim brings deep experience in both public service and the private sector, and makes history as the first Korean-American Board member in the Chamber’s history.

The swearing in of the new Board was conducted by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
“We are proud to welcome Carl and Kevin into their new leadership roles,” said Tom Grech, President & CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Carl has been a longtime supporter and advocate for Queens businesses, and I look forward to his leadership as Chair. Kevin brings a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors, and his historic appointment to the Board reflects the growing diversity of Queens’ business community. Their expertise will be invaluable as we continue our mission to help Queens businesses grow and thrive.”
The Chamber also expressed its sincere appreciation for Fran Biderman-Gross, founder and CEO of Advantages, who is stepping down from the Board after ten years of dedicated service. “Fran has been a valued voice on our Board, and her insight and leadership over the past decade have helped shape the Chamber into the vital institution it is today,” said Grech.
In addition, the Chamber recognized the passing of longtime Board member Raymond Irrera, remembering his many years of service and steadfast commitment to the Queens business community.
The Queens Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee for the 2025–2026 term is as follows:

• Carl Mattone, Chair, President and CEO, CFM Development
• Nash Roe, Vice Chair,  Partner- Executive Vice President, Acrisure
• Dave Daraio, Treasurer, Executive Vice President & COO, Maspeth Federal Savings
• Lorraine Chambers-Lewis, Associate Treasurer, President, LIJ Forest Hills Hospital Northwell Health
• Michelle Stoddart, Secretary, SVP of Community Development, Resorts World New York City
• Maria Odysseos, Associate Secretary, VP, Sales & Service Leader, ConnectOne Bank
• Howard Graf, Immediate Past Chair, Partner, Graf & Lewent Architects

Press release available for download, below.