Business Council holding its first ‘issues expo’ to replace annual reception

January 4, 2010

The Business Council of New York State, Inc. is changing the format for its annual legislative reception, to be held this month.

The Council is holding what it’s calling a “issues expo” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Albany. The free event will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 19. Registration is due by Jan. 12.

The redesigned event has been changed to comply with state lobbying laws regarding gifts and receptions where state officials are present. The event replaces the lobby’s annual reception.

The event will be held the same day Gov. David Paterson releases his proposed budget for the state’s 2010-11 fiscal year.

About 800 people attended a similar event in January 2009. The Business Council expects even more attendees this year because it is opening the event to nonmembers, said spokesman Rob Lillpopp.

The Council is billing the event as a chance to raise a range of business interests and concerns to state officials and legislators—all of whom are up for election in November 2010.

“It will help us provide a broader perspective as to what concerns businesses have,” Lillpopp said. “It’ll be more useful, and the people there will get a bigger bang for their time.”

The Council is opening the event to nonmembers who want to display booths and have the chance to pitch their views to legislators and members of Paterson’s administration.

“Last year, it was primarily the Business Council’s view on specific things,” Lillpopp said. “Now, there may even be varying points of view on specific subjects. The emphasis is that you’ll be seeing more people with varying views.”

The event will not replace the Business Council’s annual lobbying day, which has not been scheduled yet.

To register for the free reception, call (800) 358-1202 or e-mail events@bcnys.org.

To book a hotel room at a discounted rate, call the Crowne Plaza at 462-6611, and identify yourself as a Business Council participant. The cut-off date to book rooms under the Business Council rate is Jan. 4.

For more information, visit www.bcnys.org.