The Gowanus Small Business Social was made possible by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Explore Brooklyn, and Airbnb. It aimed to educate small businesses about tourism in Gowanus. In this meet-up, Airbnb hosts and business owners learned about how they can contribute to neighborhoods like Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill by having a list of suggestions for tourists who stay in the area, encouraging them to spend money locally. The program aims to improve business opportunities in Brooklyn and to further develop tourism.
The event was hosted at Brooklyn Boulders, a top-notch rock climbing facility. The décor and lighting changed the atmosphere for the event.
At this meet-up, we learned from each other. Approximately 95 percent of Airbnb hosts encourage tourists who stay with them to visit local businesses.
Here are some great pictures. If you missed our event, make sure not to miss our next meet-up in Fort Greene!
Photo by Explore Brooklyn
Businesses and hosts begin to arrive.
Photo by Airbnb
Business owners and hosts mingle at Brooklyn Boulders.
Photo by Explore Brooklyn
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Director of Brooklyn Tourism & Business Relationships Mariela Estrella emcees the night.
From left to right: Sanna, Mariela
Photo by Explore Brooklyn
Rebecca serves on the Communications and PR Team of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC). Local merchants and community activists founded the AALDC, which is home to people of various cultural backgrounds, vibrant and successful businesses and long-standing institutions, and rich architectural character. The AALDC works to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods surrounding Atlantic Avenue through advocacy, cultural events, outreach/PR and historic preservation.
From left to right: Sanna, Rebecca, Mariela
Photo by Explore Brooklyn
State Senator Velmanette Montgomery addresses the crowd. She was recognized for her effective leadership and steadfast commitment to her constituents of north and central Brooklyn as well as to New Yorkers throughout the state. In her role as the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Children and Families, Senator Montgomery is committed to helping young people achieve positive outcomes through reform of the State’s juvenile justice, foster care and adoptive care systems.
Hon. Velmanette Montgomery, New York State Senate, 25th District
Photo by Explore Brooklyn
Many thanks to Insa, one of our caterers, for bringing the spice to the house with Gogi Mandu (pork, beef and chive dumplings), Yache Mandu (vegetable and kimchi dumplings), Insa Fried Chicken and more. The Insa staff invited all of us to their afterparty with karaoke and more Korean food!
Insa
Photo by Explore Brooklyn
Lemon and coffee? Only Mache Barwinski could think of that. Mache came to serve his beverages at the event. Thanks to him, our senses were reawakened with natural minerals, electrolytes and caffeine. And of course, nothing beat a sparkling cold brew with cold-pressed fruit and organic maple on that “cold” night.
Tom’s Lemon Coffee
Photo by Airbnb
Korean food, lemon coffee, what about the beer? Threes Brewing brought its mini bar to our meet-up, featuring a few of their specialties: “Here & There,” “Vliet,” and “Unreliable Narrator.” Threes Brewing brought “I Hate Myself.” For those that wants to return, Threes Brewing got you cover with their “Eternal Return Apricot,” and of course they brought the “Chronic Myopia!”
Threes Brewing
Photo by Explore Brooklyn
Inspired by southern cuisine, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que filled our bellies with their specialty mini pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, and of course their delicious creamy mac and cheese.
Dinosaur BBQ
Photo by Explore Brooklyn
Brooklyn Winery brought us premium, small batch wines from grapes cultivated in upstate New York.
Brooklyn Winery
Photo via Brooklyn Winery Facebook
From left to right: Digna Estrella, Mariela Estrella, Walter Murillejo, Hon. Velmanette Montgomery and others.
Photo by Airbnb