"It will be days before we can know the full extent of the damage left behind by Hurricane Sandy in New York City and the rest of the state, " Rob Lillpopp, a spokesperson for the Business Council of New York State, told the BBC.
The four-day conference looks at a range of public policy issues relevant to African Americans, but the focus of the gathering has shifted this year to reflect the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and the poverty that has left so many so vulnerable.