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The basics:

• ReNew Jersey Summit underway in Atlantic City with 900+ attendees expected
• Event brings together business leaders, policymakers, industry stakeholders
• Gov. Sherrill highlights priorities including workforce, affordability, energy
• Panels focus on competitiveness, economic growth, workforce development

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce‘s ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo is officially underway at Harrah’s Atlantic City. The biennial event draws hundreds of attendees, bringing together many of the state’s top business leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders for two days focused on competitiveness, growth and opportunity.

NJCC expects to attract more than 900 attendees overall to the gathering this year. It opened Tuesday with a busy expo floor and a full slate of programming, as executives, entrepreneurs and decision-makers from across New Jersey convened to network and engage on the state’s economic future.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill delivered the keynote address at the summit.

In his opening remarks, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken set the tone. He emphasized both the moment and the opportunity ahead.

“Each of you has come here today for various reasons, but I think we all share a common purpose and purpose to engage in a meaningful conversation about the future of New Jersey’s economy and the role each of us are going to play in that,” said Bracken.

He acknowledged and applauded the early actions, engagement and outreach of the Sherrill administration.

He also reflected on the broader outlook for the state’s business climate, noting: “This is both an exciting, and at times, uncertain moment for New Jersey’s business community, but it is also a wonderful opportunity.”

“My hope is that the summit presents us with a greater clarity, a renewed sense of purpose and shared direction as we work together to accelerate economic growth across the state.”

Sherrill pitches a chance for change

Programming throughout the morning March 31 featured a series of high-level discussions. It began with Bracken’s opening and a follow-up conversation with Richard Butkus, president and managing partner of Control Point Associates. The discussion highlighted the importance of private-sector partnership and investment in New Jersey’s future.

Sherrill delivered her remarks early in the afternoon. She spoke about the challenges and opportunities for the state’s business climate. Sherrill also laid out her early efforts on areas such as permitting, streamlining processes, tackling energy challenges, affordability, modernizing the transit system, her first state budget and more.

The governor said New Jersey is at a unique moment in its history.

“In New Jersey, we have a chance to do things differently, to change government for the better. To make it work for the people and the businesses that it’s meant to serve,” said Sherrill. “We have to start with the basics.”

Keeping the conversation going

Sherrill also stressed workforce development as a priority and highlighted key partnerships in that space.

She spoke about three pillars of her administration’s approach – cutting red tape, lowering costs and investing in growth, particularly in cutting edge industries where New Jersey already leads, such as life sciences, AI, advanced manufacturing and photonics.

“And my administration is working closely with the EDA [New Jersey Economic Development Authority] and the New Jersey Innovation Authority to boost support for our state’s 12 strategic innovation centers that will help attract more private capital and build out efforts already underway,” she said.

Sherrill pointed to examples liked the Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace and the New Jersey AI Hub in Princeton.

The governor also pledged that her administration would continue dialogue and partnering with the business community on these efforts and more. She asked that they stay engaged.

“Let us know what’s going on. My door is always open,” said Sherrill. “I’m in public service because I believe in getting things done. And because I know that well-run government can be life-changing. We need new ideas and new vision. But we also need to execute and deliver.

“My commitment to you is that I will stay laser focused on doing just that – to build a government that deliver for the people and businesses it’s meant to serve.”

The Tuesday ReNew Jersey Business Summit agenda also included:

• A “New Jersey Success Story” keynote from JAG Physical Therapy CEO John Gallucci Jr.
• A conversation on the state’s economic competitiveness with U.S. Sen. Andy Kim and U.S. Chamber of Commerce executive Neil Bradley
• Energy panel examining how New Jersey can balance affordability, reliability and sustainability

Additional discussions on higher education and workforce alignment are also underway. Leaders from the state’s top colleges and universities joined the ReNew summit to discuss how institutions are adapting to meet evolving employer needs.

Please stay tuned to NJBIZ for more coverage from the summit.