Melissa Ertek launches GiaPlans to curate New York events and experiences

GiaPlans.com launched today as a digital guide and event concierge for New York City and Long Island, aiming to help residents, visitors and local businesses cut through cluttered event listings. The platform is founded by former corporate executive and Manhasset entrepreneur Melissa Ertek and opens with a complimentary business listing offer.

Why it matters: - GiaPlans is targeting a common planning pain point in New York City and Long Island: finding meaningful local activities without sorting through generic calendars. - The platform is built to connect residents, visitors and businesses around curated events, classes, camps, sports, arts and seasonal experiences. - Local venues and organizers can use the launch to reach a broader audience through a new community-focused discovery channel.

What happened: - GiaPlans.com officially launched today as a digital guide and event concierge for New York City and Long Island. - Melissa Ertek, a former corporate executive and Manhasset entrepreneur, founded the platform. - The service is built around the idea of “Less searching. More living.” - GiaPlans is available to residents, visitors, venues, event organizers and businesses across the region.

The details: - GiaPlans curates activities across 10 core categories: Camps & Multi-Day Programs; Classes & Workshops; Entertainment & Parties; Indoor Play & Amusement; Museums & Educational Experiences; Outdoor Adventures & Nature; Performing Arts, Music & Theater; Sports & Athletics; STEM & Learning; and Seasonal & Holiday Events. - The platform highlights experiences across the five boroughs and Long Island, including examples such as Knicks games at Madison Square Garden, cooking classes, art classes, museum exhibits, lacrosse camps and STEM programs. - NYC and Long Island venues, event organizers and businesses of all sizes can publish one complimentary listing at launch. - Businesses can also register or claim their listing and upgrade to advertising packages with prime placement in spotlights, curated roundups and cross-channel promotion. - GiaPlans is asking users to sign up for curated guides at GiaPlans.com and follow @giaplansofficial on Instagram and Facebook. - The company also directs businesses to GiaPlans.com to get started with launch listings and advertising options. - The full announcement and contact information are available on the company site, including more information.

Between the lines: - GiaPlans is positioning itself as more than an event calendar, with a community layer intended to bring individuals, families and businesses together. - The launch leans into Ertek’s background in corporate growth, entrepreneurship and technology to frame the business as both lifestyle-focused and scalable. - The platform’s emphasis on local discovery suggests a bet that residents want better curation, not just more listings. - Ertek said the service is meant to remove the guesswork from planning and help people connect with businesses and venues in their communities.

What's next: - GiaPlans plans to expand beyond New York City and Long Island into additional cities in the future. - The company will continue building its GiaPlans Community through signups, social channels and business listings. - New York-area businesses can still take advantage of the complimentary launch listing and paid advertising packages.

The bottom line: - GiaPlans is trying to turn local discovery into a curated, community-driven service for New Yorkers and Long Islanders who want easier ways to plan outings and find experiences.