This was our first-ever NYC PTA Expo.  We wanted to offer PTAs across the city with resources to start off the school year.  But honestly, we weren't sure what the response was going to be.  We are thrilled to report that 69 participating companies, including 58 exhibiting companies, joined us.  As for the PTAs' response, we had +70 schools from Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island represented at the expo! 

SPECIAL THANKS TO:  

• Local Elected Officials: NYS Senator Daniel Squadron, NYS Assemblyman Joe Lentol, NYC Councilman Steve Levin, NYC Councilman Antonio Reynoso, and BBP Eric Adams.
• Silver Sponsors, All in One Entertainment & Datacation. 
• Media Sponsors: New York Family, NY Metro Parents, NYC School Help, & WillyPoint Kids.
• Workshop Presenters: Lisa Bloodgood, PB Director for District 33, CM Levin; Cathy Carlson, Past-President of Staten Island Federation of PTAs (SIFPTA);  Ava Farkas,PB Coordinator for District 34; Rachel Fine, co-founder of PTAlink;  Jean Joachim, Past-PTA President of PS 87 and Author of “Beyond the Bake Sale: The Ultimate School Fund-Raising Book”;  Neil Stevenson, Senior Staff Attorney of Lawyers Alliance for New York.
• DOE D14 Superintendent Alicjia Winnicki, D14 Family Advocate Pamela Payne, D14 CEC President Tesa Wilson and PS 250K Principal Nora Barnes.
• Amazing volunteers from all over the city and especially: Charlotte Binn, Lydia Cavallo, Rhonda Joseph, Christine Petito, & Emily Spunt. 

What a Brooklyn BabyFest & Family Jam we had!  In spite of awful weather and closure of the G-subway train, we are happy to report +700 attendees joined us again.  We had 124 participating companies, including 96 exhibitors, far outstripping last year's experience,  With 8 workshops, more demos, and music performances, it was a fun and informative time for all. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO:  

• NYS Assemblyman Joe Lentol who stopped by despite the rain.
• Silver Sponsors, All in One Entertainment & Brooklyn Expo Center. 
• Media Sponsors: BQE/Greenpoint Star, Greenpoint Chamber of Commerce, Greenpoint Gazette, New York Family, NY Metro Parents, Red Tricycle, Well-Rounded, WG News & Arts & WillyPoint Kids.
• Workshop Presenters: Olivia Bergeron, Mommy Groove Therapy & Support; Ophira Edut, Momstrology; Leah Fink, School SelectNYC; Natalie Nevares, Mommywise; Adrian Niles, College Nannies & Tutors; Milly Perez, Wee Babe; Matt Schneider, NYC Dads Group; Jada Shapiro, Birth Day Presence; Ellynne Skove, GoGo Babies; Lance Somerfeld, NYC Dads Group; Adriane Stare, Caribou Baby.
• Music Performances:  Bilingual Birdies and Sage Music.   
• Design & Furniture by Ascher Designs, Jellio, MC Nino Designs, tbd Brooklyn & Yellow House Collective. 
• Yummy samples by Brooklyn Safehouse, Franklin Pizza, & Le Gamin

We encountered rainy weather every which way we turned.  Pumpkin Day was rescheduled twice before we finally caught a lucky break.  The Children's Halloween Parade was rained out.  Happily the Children's Halloween Party and Zombie Nerf War were indoors.  The kids had a great time with All In One Entertainment's bouncy houses, Streb's gymnastics pop-up, PLAY's arts and crafts center, and Halloween costume contest sponsored by LxBlue.  And the Zombie Nerf War?  A spooktacular time!

SPECIAL THANKS TO:  

• NYS Assemblyman Joe Lentol and Tommy Torres who dropped by Pumpkin Day. 
• Pumpkin Day Sponsors & Supporters:  Brooklyn Cub Scouts Pack 7, Green Mountain, LxBlue, MS 126, PLAY, & NYC Parks. 
• Halloween Parade/Party Sponsors & Supporters:  Polish & Slavic Center, Warner Bros. Entertainment, All In One Entertainment, LxBlue, PLAY & NYPD 94th Precinct.
• Zombie Nerf War sponsor:  Brookyn Boy Scouts Troop 26 & Polish & Slavic Center.