HIA-LI, one of Long Island’s largest business advocacy organizations, is hosting a panel titled “The Future of Long Island MacArthur Airport and Tourism on Long Island” on Wednesday, March 2 between 8:00 and 10:00 am at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma.
In addition to exploring Long Island MacArthur Airport’s overall economic importance to businesses of all sizes across the region, the results of a new Economic Impact Study examining the airport’s potential effect on tourism growth will be shared for the first time.
The study, conducted by the Ronkonkoma law firm of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, calculates the level of new tourism revenue that could be generated on Long Island if Breeze Airways were to operate at maximum capacity at the airport. The airline, founded by JetBlue co-founder David Neeleman, began offering nonstop flights to Norfolk, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina from the airport on February 17. The study also examines the potential economic impact and tourism revenue that could be generated across all inbound flights at MacArthur Airport assuming maximum capacity of flights and seats across any airline.
Panelists will include Shelley LaRose-Arken, Commissioner of Long Island MacArthur Airport, and Bryan DeLuca, Board Chairman of Discover Long Island and Executive Director of Atlantis Holdings, LLC. The panel will be moderated by HIA-LI Board Member Joe Campolo of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick. Angie Carpenter, the Town of Islip Supervisor, will provide opening remarks.
“Long Island MacArthur Airport holds tremendous untapped potential as a source of new, incoming tourism dollars for Long Island,” said Mr. Campolo. “It’s an ideal gateway for introducing the world to Long Island’s first-class quality of life, our vibrant industries, and our many compelling destination opportunities.”
“When air travelers come here via Long Island MacArthur Airport, they can conveniently bypass the traffic and crowds associated with larger, urban airports,” said Richard Humann, PE, Chairperson of the HIA-LI board and President and CEO of H2M architects + engineers in Melville. “We need to do all we can to maximize MacArthur’s value to the Long Island economy.”
“Long Island’s visitor economy exceeds $6 billion in value, underscoring our status as a globally significant travel venue,” said HIA-LI President and CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli. “The panel will examine ways MacArthur can play a key role in boosting Long Island tourism, capitalizing upon our 120 miles of beaches, our award-winning Wine Country, our Gold Coast mansions, our museums, and much more.”
A December survey of 504 Long Island businesses – also conducted by Campolo, Middleton & McCormick – found that the addition of more nonstop flights at the airport could potentially generate more than $1 billion in new, annual revenue for the facility.
Pre-registration is required. Ticket pricing, registration and more information are available here.
ABOUT HIA-LI
Now in its 44th year, HIA-LI is one of Long Island’s largest business advocacy organizations. It also represents the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, the largest industrial park in the Northeast. The park supports 55,000 jobs, produces $13 billion in goods and services each year, and accounts for eight percent of Long Island’s gross domestic product. For more information, go to www.HIA-LI.org.
Recent Comments