Brooklyn Chamber Announces Coney Island USA As 1,200th Member

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has announced that it has reached 1,200 members with the addition of Coney Island USA. In existence since 1980, Coney Island USA is responsible for bringing a number of great events to the famous Brooklyn neighborhood, including the annual Mermaid Parade along Surf Avenue.

"This is a wonderful day for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Coney Island USA," said Carlo A. Scissura, President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. "For us to reach this milestone -- with the addition of such a great organization -- just in time for summer is wonderful for Coney Island. We thought about throwing a parade, but Coney Island USA already throw a pretty big one. Don't forget to attend the Mermaid Parade on June 22!"

"I was freaking flabbergasted to find out that we were the 1,200th member," said Dick Zigun, Executive Artistic Director, Coney Island USA. "We are an organization that is growing. It is a natural to go to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce for assistance. We are happy to be the 1,200th member and look forward to connecting with other Brooklyn businesses and organizations through the Chamber's many seminars and workshops."

"I am very proud to be the Chair of the Brooklyn Chamber at a time when we are having so much success and are reaching such a significant milestone -- our 1,200th member! I am thankful to the entire leadership and membership," said Chamber Board Chair Denise Arbesu. "The Chamber's growth, recognition, and success is the result of a solid foundation and strategy envisioned and implemented by the Board and Executive committee over the past several years. Those efforts, combined with the dynamic leadership provided under our new President & CEO Carlo Scissura are propelling the Brooklyn Chamber to great new achievements. I have no doubt that our Board and membership, along with Carlo and his staff, will continue to build upon this success."

"Bravo to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce - the largest Chamber of Commerce in New York State - for welcoming its 1,200th member: Coney Island USA," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "The Chamber continues to provide local merchants with outstanding services with one goal in mind - to keep Brooklyn businesses growing and flourishing. There is no limit to what the future holds for the Chamber, as it grows at a rate faster than Coney Island's iconic Cyclone roller coaster and can reach heights taller than the world famous Parachute Jump!"

Coney Island USA has developed and produces a number of different programs, including some of New York City's best loved summer programming, such as the Mermaid Parade and the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. Coney Island USA also operates the Coney Island Museum and produces Ask the Experts, Burlesque at the Beach, the Coney Island Tattoo and Motorcycle Festival, Creepshow at the Freakshow, and the Coney Island Sideshow School. Coney Island USA also produces the Coney Island Film Society and the Coney Island Film Festival in association with indiefilmpage.com.

As part of its membership, Coney Island USA will participate in the Chamber's many networking and community events. In addition, the Chamber will publicize Coney Island USA's many activities and programs through its various media channels, including website, daily e-newsletter Brooklyn Buzz, and newspaper, Brooklyn's Progress.