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For photos and b-roll, click here (Credit: Anat Gerstein, Inc.)
To view the toolkit and assets, click here ASTORIA, QUEENS (June 3, 2026) — Today, the Queens Chamber of Commerce launched its new "Celebrate Soccer in 2026" Business Toolkit, a free resource designed to help restaurants, bars, retailers, and other small businesses prepare for and benefit from the economic opportunities surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The launch event was held at Murphy’s Sports Bar (45-01 23rd Ave) in Astoria. Made possible through a grant from the ABNY Foundation, the toolkit provides practical, easy-to-use marketing resources that businesses can customize and deploy immediately. Resources include printable and digital promotional templates, social media assets, watch party marketing materials, menu and product promotion templates, digital marketing guidance, accessibility and inclusivity recommendations, and best practices for engaging international visitors. Designed with small businesses in mind, all printable materials can be produced on a standard 8.5" x 11" printer, providing a low-cost, high-impact marketing solution that requires no professional design experience. "Queens is uniquely positioned to benefit from the World Cup, with millions of visitors expected to travel through our airports, stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, and explore our neighborhoods," said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. "We wanted to create something practical that any business could use, whether it's a family-owned restaurant hosting watch parties, a retailer promoting World Cup-themed specials, or a local shop looking to reach new customers. Thanks to the ABNY Foundation's support, we're giving small businesses the tools they need to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity." “ABNY is proud to support the Queens Chamber of Commerce and 29 other community organizations across all five boroughs to help create welcoming spaces for fans, engage local businesses, and engage our youth with programming inspired by this historic tournament,” said Emma Pfohman, CEO of the Association for a Better New York. “From neighborhood watch parties to organizing small business corridors to free youth soccer tournaments, the ABNY Foundation’s World Cup for All community grants will bring the spirit and excitement of the World Cup to communities in every corner of our city.” “Queens represents so much of what makes New York City special. Growing up in a Ghanaian family where soccer was front and center and now as a soccer mom, I’ve always seen football as a connector that brings people together. With the World Cup at NYC's doorsteps, we want to make sure our mom-and-pop businesses are ready to welcome the world and benefit from the excitement and economic opportunities that come with it. The Queens Chamber’s toolkit gives our mom-and-pop businesses simple, practical tools to prepare and be part of the celebration!” said Delia Awusi, Mom-and-Pop Czar, City of New York. "As a lifelong soccer fan, I can't think of a more exciting time to be doing business in Queens — and I'm thrilled to welcome fans from around the world to the World's Borough for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said Maya Kurien, Founder and Principal of Main Street Wisdom and Co-Chair of the “Celebrate Soccer in 2026” Initiative. "I'm proud to serve as co-chair of this initiative, and grateful to the ABNY Foundation for making it possible to put these tools directly in the hands of the small businesses that make Queens so special." "People talk about the World Cup bringing the world to New York. But here in Queens, the world already lives here—every flag in that tournament is somebody's neighbor, somebody's restaurant, somebody's family. As a Queens native and the daughter of immigrants, I started companies to uplift the small businesses that carry that culture every day. This toolkit helps them do what we do best: welcome the world home, and let visitors taste, hear, and feel why this is the most diverse place on the planet,” said Deepti Sharma, Serial Entrepreneur, Community Builder and Co-Chair of the “Celebrate Soccer in 2026” Initiative. "If soccer is the world's game and Queens is the world's borough, then the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our restaurants, bars, and small businesses to welcome the world and showcase the hospitality, diversity, and energy that make our neighborhoods so special. The Queens Chamber's Business Toolkit gives businesses practical resources to prepare for the tournament, attract customers, and maximize the economic opportunities that come with this historic event," said Andrew Rigie, Executive Director, New York City Hospitality Alliance. “Long Island City is ready to welcome the world to the World’s Borough this summer. More than 30 local LIC businesses have launched special promotions for New Yorkers and visitors celebrating soccer’s biggest stage. We’re grateful to the Queens Chamber of Commerce and ABNY Foundation for creating the ‘Celebrate Soccer 2026 Toolkit,’ helping local businesses capture the economic opportunities of the World Cup,” said Laura Rothrock, President, Long Island City Partnership. “As Co-Founder and CEO of The Nourish Spot, I am thrilled that the world is coming to us. From our brick-and-mortar roots in Southeast Jamaica, Queens to our hot and cold grab-and-go concession at Dear NYC in JFK Terminal 8 near Gate 43, we are perfectly positioned to welcome hundreds of thousands of soccer enthusiasts as they fly into the gateway of New York’s true world borough. This is our moment to greet global visitors with the same love and nourishment we’ve always given our community. We are ready to nourish the world, one cup at a time,” said Dawn Kelly, Co-Founder & CEO, The Nourish Spot Inc. "Queens is the world's borough, making it the ultimate destination for the World Cup. For historic institutions like Neir's Tavern, this tournament isn’t just about hosting watch parties—it’s an unprecedented opportunity to drive hyper-local economic growth. This toolkit takes the guesswork out of event marketing, giving every small business owner in the borough the direct tools they need to score big with new and returning customers alike,” said Loycent Gordon, Owner & CEO, Neir’s Tavern. The toolkit includes:
The “Celebrate Soccer in 2026” Business Toolkit is available free of charge to Queens businesses and can be downloaded at www.queensbest.org/queens-tool-kit.
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Business Leaders Celebrate Launch of Stamford-to-Citi Field Ferry Service on Mets Game Days6/2/2026 QUEENS, NY (June 2, 2026)— On Saturday, business leaders from both sides of the Long Island Sound gathered in Stamford, Connecticut to celebrate the launch of Seastreak's new Mets Game Day Cruise – a ferry service that connects Stamford, Connecticut directly to Citi Field, providing fans with a convenient, scenic, and stress-free way to attend Mets home games.
The new service, departing from Stamford's Harbor Point area, transports Mets fans directly to the World's Fair Marina, just steps from Citi Field. The approximately 75-minute voyage offers a unique and stress-free alternative to congested highways and rail connections, turning the trip to the ballpark into part of the overall fan experience. The service will operate for select Mets home games throughout the season and offers both ferry-only tickets and combined ferry-and-game-ticket packages. "This is exactly the kind of creative regional connection that benefits everyone involved," said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. "Queens is home to Citi Field, one of the premier sports and entertainment destinations in the country, and we're excited to welcome even more visitors from Stamford and Fairfield County. This ferry service makes it easier than ever for Connecticut Mets fans to enjoy a day in Queens while supporting our local economy. It's also a reminder that our region is deeply interconnected, and that stronger transportation links create new opportunities for tourism, commerce, and economic growth on both sides of the Sound." The New York Mets welcomed the launch as another way to enhance the fan experience. “Everything we do in and around the ballpark is focused on creating a world class fan experience, and that journey begins the moment our fans leave their homes to come to Citi Field,” said Lew Sherr, President of Business Operations, New York Mets. “Thanks to the commitment from our ownership and the collaboration of many partners, there are now more ways than ever for fans to get to Citi Field, and this new Stamford ferry service is an exciting example of how we are continuing to make game days more convenient and accessible for our fans.” The Stamford Chamber of Commerce also praised the new service as a unique amenity for local residents and an example of growing regional collaboration. “It was a wonderful day celebrating this exciting new way of transportation aboard Seastreak’s ferry to the Mets game from Stamford to Citi Field with our partners,” said Heather Cavanagh, President and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce. “The economic impact of this public-private ferry service to the Mets games drives localized business growth, supports traffic mitigation, and reduces congestion on the roadways, encourages job creation, and creates tourism opportunities for both of our cities. The pre- and post-game crowds provide a direct boost to local hospitality, food, and beverage revenues for the restaurants and businesses. This creates a mutually beneficial outcome for everyone involved.” Seastreak officials noted that the service transforms transportation into a signature part of the fan experience. “Getting to a Mets game from Stamford should be easy and enjoyable, and that’s exactly what this service delivers,” said James D. Barker, President of Seastreak. “We’re proud to offer this new route in partnership with our partners in Stamford, Queens, and the Mets organization, providing a fast, stress-free, and more premium way for fans to get to Citi Field. This builds on the service we began in 2025 from Highlands NJ, Staten Island, and East 35th Street, which already connects fans to most Mets games, with Stamford representing a natural expansion for 2026. The trip itself becomes part of the day, offering a straightforward and comfortable alternative to driving or the train. As Queens continues to grow as a destination for major events, from tennis to soccer to live entertainment, we see continued opportunity to connect more communities to the borough by water.” The new route arrives at a time when Queens continues to grow as a destination for sports, entertainment, and tourism. From Citi Field and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to transformative projects such as Metropolitan Park and Etihad Park, New York City's first soccer-specific stadium, the borough is attracting unprecedented investment that promises to draw visitors from across the region. For schedules, pricing, and ticket information, visit Seastreak.com. |
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