PHOTO: The Queens International Night Market is set to co-host three free business seminars at Borough Hall. Photo Courtesy of Queens International Night Market
By Forum Staff
Borough President Melinda Katz, in partnership with the Queens International Night Market and the City Department of Small Business Services, will host a series of three free seminars in March for vendors interested in the Night Market and anyone who wants to start a business in the five boroughs.
The seminars, to be held at Borough Hall from 6-8 p.m. on March 8, 15, and 22, will cover a range of topics such as creating a business plan, marketing, social media outreach, securing financing, obtaining permits and navigating government regulations. Taught by experienced SBS instructors from SBS’ NYC Business Solutions Center in Queens, the seminars will also cover Night Market topics and feature guest speakers, networking, and Q&A opportunities.
Pre-registration is required and can be found at queensbp.org/nightmarketseries. Current and prospective business owners are encouraged to attend all three seminars in the series, as each seminar will cover a different topic.
“Queens epitomizes entrepreneurship and inspires innovation, and we’re pleased to partner with Small Business Services and the Night Market to offer this series of free business seminars for vendors and entrepreneurs who are interested in expanding their ideas,” said Katz.
The seminars will be especially helpful to those interested in becoming a vendor at the QINM, a family-friendly, seasonal outdoor market that will be open Saturday evenings in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park starting April 23. The Night Market said it is looking for both new and established vendors that will help celebrate the borough’s ethnic and cultural diversity by offering authentic art, merchandise and/or food to its patrons.
“The Night Market strives to represent an accessible and affordable place for New Yorkers to test out their business ideas, and especially for the immigrant population that is so critical and integral to this City,” said John Wang, founder of the Night Market. “I am extremely excited and honored to work on this business seminar series with Queens Borough President Katz’s office and the NYC Department of Small Business Services, who are great champions of the same underlying values.”
The Queens International Night Market debuted in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in spring 2015. In its inaugural year, the event averaged over 6,000 visitors each Saturday night while operating in the park. The Night Market features international street food, art, merchandise, free performances, and activities. One of the most unique features of the Market, in addition to its nighttime operating hours, is the general $5 price cap on food, which Wang said helps ensure the event is accessible and affordable for as broad an audience as possible.
For those interested in the QINM, the vendor application is available at goo.gl/forms/01anS3JtC2, and the website is queensnightmarket.com.
