More than 1,000 banking, finance and real estate decision-makers crowded the New York City Bar Building for the Second Annual NYC Finance Expo.
According to Expo executive director Anthony Kazazis, “There is no other venue like this in the industry where attendees can hear and meet the biggest players all in one place. It is a rare opportunity and a rare attraction in itself.”
The feature panel consisted of ‘Titans of Real Estate’ and focused on “How Mega Loans Get Closed.”
Panelists included Mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis, chairman & CEO of the Red Apple Group; and Norman Sturner, CEO of Murray Hill Properties; Panel moderator Simon Ziff, president, Ackman-Ziff; Ofer Yardeni, co-chairman and CEO, Stonehenge Partners, Inc.; Michael L. Ashner, chairman & CEO, Winthrop Realty Trust; and Ziel Feldman, founder and managing principal, HFZ Capital Group.
International media coverage was led by NTD-TV, the Chinese television network whose broadcasting connected New York City businesses to China and opened doors to the Asian business and media communities.
One of the Expo’s most novel and popular attractions was the Social Media Pavilion.
Here, interviews with the day’s presenters were conducted and media connections were made. It was also NTD-TV’s nerve center.
Expo sponsors included Wells Fargo, Chase, Citibank, TD Bank, Emigrant Mortgage, Meridian Capital Group, Silo Financial, Flushing Bank, Citizens Bank, Verizon and the Real Estate Board of New York.
Expo Director Kazazis said, “We had four panel discussions, over 40 speakers and 30 exhibitors. Participants enjoyed dozens of educational seminars and forums throughout the day.
“Many attendees told me what an extraordinary day they had and that they learned from the stories and tested methods of our hugely successful guests.
“The name of the game in any industry is networking, and I can’t even estimate the value of the future deals that will occur as a direct result of people meeting at this Expo.”
