INTERNATIONAL DAY
Welcome to Brooklyn
B
rooklyn is proud to host Ne w York
International’s third annual International
Day, bringing together entrepreneurs from all
over the world. Dating back to the period when I was
preparing to transition into the borough presidency,
I fostered dialogue with economic changemakers
from around the world to strengthen our borough’s
position in the global marketplace. It is my belief that
international collaboration around new ideas and
innovations will benefit all of us – in Brooklyn and
beyond.
Brooklyn is already an epicenter of innovation, with digital
giants like Etsy, MakerBot, and
Kickstarter successfully established here. Bringing together the
most vibrant global tech hubs that
are oceans apart will enable them
and other companies to explore
options a mere subway ride away.
With over 47% of Brooklynites
speaking a first language other
than English at home, we are already a beacon for people from all
over the world; I hope to welcome
many more from near and far as a
result of this convening.
This conversation is a “two-way street” of collaboration that will benefit all of us – both Brooklynites
and our international partners. Whether on the
streets of Brooklyn, or during delegation visits to
destinations like Turkey and China, my office is
constantly engaging stakeholders in an effort to
open our borough to the world. International Day
is another opportunity to open Brooklyn Borough
Hall to foster an exchange of ideas that will spur the
next Google. This time that innovation will take
root in New York’s “Silicon Alley”, thanks to the aggressive start-up economy that exists in Brooklyn.
I look forward to hearing ideas from all over the
world and hope to enable new ventures to plant
their flag first in Brooklyn. Welcome to the center
of the innovation universe!
Eric L. Adams, Brooklyn Borough President
I-3