After a multi-year hiatus, Bronx Day in Albany is making its long-awaited return, Bronx Chamber of Commerce officials said. The Chamber, together with State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 34) said they were proud to announce that the event will be held on Tuesday, March 10, at the Albany Capital Center.

 

Designed as a powerful combination of a public policy conference, business workshops, and a cultural showcase, the event will convene Bronx entrepreneurs, nonprofits, cultural institutions, artists and artisans, restaurants and food & beverage vendors, state elected officials, and state agency leadership for a day of connection, advocacy, learning, and opportunity.

 

Fernandez, who spearheaded the event’s return, said, “Bronx Day in Albany is a celebration of our pride, culture, and spirit. The Bronx is home to hardworking families, vibrant cultures, and communities that uplift one another.” She added, “Every year, we seek to bring that same Bronx energy to the Capitol. This is to not only showcase what makes the Bronx unique, but to also remind everyone that we deserve investments and opportunities. I’m proud to join everyone and illustrate what makes the Bronx strong.”

 

Bronx Chamber officials said Bronx Day in Albany is a collaborative effort between the New York State Senate and Assembly Bronx delegations, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Bronx city council members are also expected to participate.

 

Fernandez framed the day as a team effort across the borough’s delegation. “The Bronx is strongest when we move together,” the senator said. “This is a collaborative push with our Assembly and Senate colleagues and the Bronx Borough President to lift up the people and businesses that power our neighborhoods.”

 

She said the event will feature a full day of programming to showcase the Bronx enterprise and culture and the 2026 edition arrives with a clear theme: “The Bronx: United in Culture, Driven by Business.” Organizers say the goal is to put Bronx stakeholders directly in front of state decision-makers to spark contracts, partnerships, and policy wins that travel back home.

 

Bronx Chamber of Commerce officials said the program is built around three core components: a ticketed public policy luncheon spotlighting how statewide policies are directly impacting The Bronx; an afternoon of state agency workshops (free with registration) on certifications, procurement, workforce, access to capital, and more; and an evening Business Showcase featuring exhibitors across business and nonprofit sectors, restaurants and food & beverage vendors offering tastings alongside artists, innovators, cultural and community organizations.

 

They said attendance is expected to draw over 600 participants, including New York State elected officials and their representatives, lobbyists, business leaders, media members, and Bronx stakeholders.

 

“Bronx Day in Albany is our moment to put the Bronx front and center. It will feature our innovation, our cuisine, our culture, and the businesses that make this borough hum,” said Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “We’re bringing the best of the Bronx to Albany to spark partnerships, unlock procurement opportunities, and generate real wins for our districts. We invite sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees to be part of it.”

 

Chamber officials said the collaboration extends beyond the headline partners, engaging elected offices and community stakeholders borough wide. In addition to Fernandez and Sorin, the Bronx borough president and the borough’s full delegation of state legislators, and their teams, are participating in planning and outreach to ensure broad representation across neighborhoods, sectors, and languages.

 

They said a luncheon will include one Bronx Business Award from each member of the Bronx state delegation, giving each lawmaker a platform to recognize a standout business from their district. Organizers say the awards are designed to honor community impact, job creation, innovation, and resilience, while giving honorees a statewide stage.

 

They said for small businesses and nonprofits, the afternoon workshops are expected to be the most tactical, with sessions on navigating MWBE/SDVOB certifications, tapping workforce and training dollars, preparing for public-sector procurement, and accessing capital. Meanwhile, they said the evening showcase promises the most buzz, with booths from businesses and nonprofits, displays by cultural institutions, artists and artisans with goods to sell, and restaurants offering signature bites.

 

Organizers emphasized that the event experience will be turnkey and accessible for all participants. They said a robust website will host an application that routes prospective sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees to the right track. At the same time, they said a shared toolkit will equip elected offices to invite district businesses, promote the day, and coordinate logistics in the run-up to March. They said a joint February press conference will preview highlights and partners.

 

A landing page is already live at http://BronxDayInAlbany.com, while a more robust website is in development. Visitors can sign up for updates and indicate whether they’re a small business (under 25 employees), a larger business (25+ employees), a nonprofit, cultural institution, artist/artisan (with goods to sell), restaurant/food service (offering samples), general attendee, media, or other. They said they can also select interests, including sponsoring, exhibiting, luncheon tickets, state agency workshops, or general attendance, to receive tailored information when applications open.

 

After several years without a formal Bronx Day in Albany, organizers say the timing is right for a comeback that’s equal parts celebration and business.

 

“Bronx Day in Albany is more than a celebration; it serves as a forceful reminder of our borough’s strength, diversity, and solidarity,” said Assemblymember George Alvarez (A.D. 78). “I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues and community leaders to highlight all that makes the Bronx unique. We will work together to ensure that our opinions are heard and that our communities are proudly represented.”

 

Meanwhile, Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), said “I am very excited that Bronx Day is coming back to Albany.” He added, “As we know, the Bronx is the best borough in the city, the best county in the state, and is the best place to live. Having lived in the Bronx all of my life, I know of the amazing parks, cultural institutions, educational institutions, businesses, and restaurants that we have. It’s great being a Bronxite.”

 

Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr. (A.D. 80) said it was an opportunity to showcase the Bronx’s incredible diversity and the vibrant businesses that make the community so unique. “Bronx Day in Albany is always a special time for our borough,” he said. “Each year, Bronx Day gives our colleagues in Albany a small taste of what makes our borough so special, and I look forward to once again celebrating the Bronx during this year’s legislative session.”

 

For her part, Gibson said she was proud to stand alongside Fernandez, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and other leaders and elected officials to celebrate the return of Bronx Day in Albany. “This beloved tradition showcases the very best of our borough, from our vibrant and diverse culture to our growing local businesses and the changemakers who keep our community moving forward,” she said. “With this year’s theme, ‘United in culture, Driven by business,’ we aim to reflect the unity, innovation, and determination that continue to shape the Bronx’s story. I look forward to seeing everyone at Bronx Day!”

 

Finally, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, “The return of Bronx Day in Albany serves as a celebration of the Bronx community’s longevity and success.” He added, “The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering business growth and talent within the community. By bringing business owners to the heart of our state, they are providing them with the chance to network and form meaningful partnerships. The Bronx is so diverse and full of life, and it is time that it is put on full display.”