Dear neighbor: Our Inauguration Celebration is rescheduled for Saturday, March 14, from 5-7pm at Alice Tully Hall.  If you would like to attend on the 14th, please re-register at our new Eventbrite HERE About the Event: Doors will open at 4pm, and entrance will be first come, first served. The Inauguration ceremony will begin at 5pm. We invite you to arrive early or stay after the ceremony for the Borough Convention and help our office and community stakeholders help set the priorities for Manhattan! Refreshments will be served. Should we exceed capacity, there will be overflow at the Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Campus auditorium. Please reach out to events@manhattanbp.nyc.gov if you have any questions or need any special accommodations. We’re excited to welcome you all on Saturday, March 14! RSVP HERE

All best regards, Brad Hoylman-Sigal Manhattan Borough President

The post Please Re-Register: Inauguration Celebration March 14 appeared first on Good News!.

PlantCon International

How Parking Lot Meetups of 50 People Became the Nation’s Largest Plant Convention with 10,000 people.

This August 2025, PlantCon is traveling to New York City backed by some of the largest global names in the plant industry, including Kunzo Nishihata, a legend in the rare plant world from Hyogo, Japan; Summer Rayne Oakes, a renown YouTube star who pioneered the trend of bringing greenery into industrial spaces; and even The New York Botanical Garden. But, this grassroots movement didn’t always start with big names or major venues, it began with parking lots, tent weights, passionate hobbyists, and plant cuttings.

In 2020, when the world was shutting down, small online communities were seeing hoards of plant enthusiasts hit the scene. Loss of connection was so tangible that a household hobby like plant care was seeing a rise. Plant enthusiasts would join online marketplaces to meet up, sell plants, and share plant care tips – Kenny Nguyen, founder of PlantCon International, being one of them.

Kenny began to organize local meet ups in a furniture store parking lot for the community to gather, trade plants, and connect. What is usually an isolating indoor hobby, became a space for those who craved connection. Quick parking lot exchanges quickly became full day events. People lingered, laughed, and formed lasting friendships. As mass layoffs began and financial insecurities burdened families, plant sellers began relying on the income from the popups. In the midst of a global crisis, plants brought a sense of stability, comfort, and togetherness.

From there, the Houston Plant Market was born, helping local sellers sustain their businesses year-round. A scrappy team of three began hosting pop-ups in breweries, parks, and creative spaces across the city. Then, in 2022, PlantCon made its official debut, a 60 booth convention with no sponsors, no keynote speakers, and just four staff members. Over 2,000 people showed up. It was clear that this passion project had evolved into a movement.

Today, PlantCon steps into New York City for the very first time and will have over 10,000 people in attendance. The same familiar faces will travel for miles to see the show and new enthusiasts join the PlantCon community each year. From its humble beginnings in Houston, to New York City, and now scoping new cities to expand to next – PlantCon’s story is truly a reminder that with vision, community, and a whole lot of heart, you can grow something small into a movement that touches thousands.

“PlantCon has been such a labor of love,” says Kenny. “Building it up block by block over the years within our local community in Houston to bringing it all the way to Manhattan is unbelievable. I’m so thankful that so many people have found profound value in what we’re doing, and that the reception has been overwhelming no matter where we’ve been.”

Event Details

What: PlantCon International – New York

Where: The Seaport Level 4 at Pier 17 | 89 South St, New York, NY 10038

When: August 30–31, 2025

Tickets: plantcon.org/tickets-purchasenyc

About With Heart Collective

With Heart Collective is a non-profit event and production team focused on creating inclusive spaces and opportunities for small, minority-owned businesses and their customers. Their mission is to provide educational resources and support in areas such as tax compliance, branding, marketing and more, while fostering connections and promoting diversity within the community. Under With Heart Collective, the nonprofit organization includes Houston Plant Market, PlantCon International, Heart of Hou, The Vendor Alliance, and The Little Plant Library. As a proud AAPI, BIPOC, and Queer-led organization, With Heart Collective is dedicated to empowering underrepresented voices and promoting equity in entrepreneurship.

Press Contact

Eli Marcus

motivatea2z@gmail.com
plantcon.org/nyc-home
withheart.co

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nychappenings

The post NYC’s first ever PlantCon announced at South Street Seaport Aug. 30 & 31 appeared first on Good News!.

See Some of the Hottest Custom Concept and
Performance Cars That Will Be On Display at the Show

Plus James Bell from GM Talks about Rubbing Elbows With NASCAR Royalty Jeff Gordon, Ron Fellows and Ricky Carmichael at the Star Studded Chevy Party

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is undoubtedly one of the coolest, hippest and cutting edge events of the auto industry. Filled with the hottest accessories and latest automotive innovations, this is the place to get the info on what will be hot on the highway next year. SEMA also draws the industry’s brightest minds – some of the racing industry’s most popular drivers to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center, where they certainly have a roaring good time!

In interviews on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, James Bell will be giving everyone a sneak peak at some of the items being unveiled and fill us in on the details from the big party at the Palazzo Hotel the night before where racecars drivers like Jeff Gordon, Ron Fellows, Ricky Carmichael and others celebrities were on hand to kick off the auto industry’s fashion week.

In this case, what happens in Vegas, doesn’t stay in Vegas – it’s bound for every street and highway in the US and beyond. More information is available at media.gm.com

Suggested Questions:
• Why is SEMA such an exciting show?
• What goes on there behind the scenes?
• Who did you see at last night’s party?
• What’s hot for the coming year?

About the Talent:

James Bell, Head of Consumer Affairs, General Motors

With over 16 years of experience, James Bell is a nationally recognized and authoritative resource within the automotive industry. During his tenure, James has diligently analyzed and effectively communicated automotive data and research to multiple constituencies, including the national and international media, automotive manufacturers, dealers, and the every-day car shopper. His multifaceted experience has led to a unique perspective on the industry that easily crosses over the boundaries between the general consumer and passionate enthusiast. Prior to joining GM, James was Vice President of Corporate Communications and Executive Market Analyst for Kelley Blue Book. In this role, he was charged with promoting the KBB.com brand and driving traffic to its award-winning Web site. Bell also oversaw the company’s consumer communication efforts through social media and viral marketing platforms. In addition, he served as the company’s chief spokesperson with the media and has been featured on national television news shows on CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC, national and local talk radio, as well as within the pages of both respected newspapers and automotive trade publications. James also served on the board of directors for the Motor Press Guild in Los Angeles and was President of this revered organization, the largest of its kind in the U.S., in 2010 and 2011. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communications and Political Science from California State University.

The post James Bell Brings us the Bling from the 2013 SEMA Convention appeared first on Good News!.