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A lot of ground was covered on critical New Jersey issues and topics during day one of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce ReNew Jersey Business Summit and Expo, taking place March 26-27 at Harrah’s Atlantic City.

As NJBIZ reported, the annual event brings together a who’s who of top Garden State business and government leaders. There’s also an expo of New Jersey products and services, ample networking opportunities, and much more.

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken opened the event. The summit drew more than 900 attendees, 100 exhibitors, 50 speakers and multiple panel sessions.

“We are here today to celebrate doing business in the State of New Jersey,” said Bracken. “There are many wonderful reasons our companies call New Jersey home. We are also going to examine obstacles that are preventing New Jersey from achieving its potential.”

Bracken noted that this was the third iteration of the event.

“We did it to start to cheerlead about the great things our state was doing; to talk about the benefits our state offers to businesses that are here – and could offer to companies that might want to come here,” said Bracken. He added ReNew was meant to establish some economic momentum, while showcasing the state’s many assets. He pointed to New Jersey’s dramatic jump in last year’s CNBC’s ranking of most improved states to do business.

On the dais

Investing in New Jersey

Moderated by: Gary Dahms, president, T&M Associates, and chair, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

Featuring: Thierry Klein, president, Bell Labs Solutions Research, Nokia Bell Labs
Jim Fakult, president, JCP&L
Kris Kolluri, CEO, Gateway Development Commission
Lauren Nathan-LaRusso, co-host city manager and general counsel, NYNJFWC26 Host Committee
Alberto Garofalo, president, New Jersey, Bank of America

The panel discussed topics regarding investing in the state and why well-known companies and organizations chose New Jersey to expand their operations.

New Jersey: The Most Improved State for Doing Business

Moderated by: Wesley Mathews, president and CEO, Choose New Jersey

Featuring: Ralph LaRossa, president, PSEG, and chair, Choose New Jersey
Tim Sullivan, CEO, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Bill Hagaman, CEO Emeritus, Withum

This panel dove into New Jersey’s CNBC ranking, how the state achieved it, and what to do to maintain or improve it.

From Edison to AI: The Innovation State

Moderated by: Mike Reagan, senior vice president consulting services, CGI

Featuring: Teik Lim, president, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
Justin Trugman, co-founder and head of technology, BetterFutureLabs
Beth Noveck, chief artificial intelligence strategist, State of New Jersey
Craig Arnold, vice dean for innovation, Princeton University

The panel broke how New Jersey government officials, academia and corporate leaders, and other stakeholders are preparing for the future. That includes staying ahead of the innovation curve, given recent advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence, as well as how New Jersey can continue living up to its long legacy as a leader in the space.

Where Do We Grow from Here? Smart Planning for Future

Moderated by: Ted Zangari, member, Sills Cummis & Gross

Featuring: Eric Brophy, deputy chief of staff for economic growth, Office of the Governor
Lisa Chowansky, president, HC Constructors
Mayor John McCormac, Woodbridge Township
Dan Kennedy, CEO, NAOIP New Jersey
Adam Zellner, president, Greener by Design

This panel examined the state’s assets, recent progress in certain sectors and how remove obstacles so the state’s economy can flourish.

Legislative Leaders: Policy Discussion from Policy Makers

Moderated by: Ben Dworkin, director, Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship

Featuring: Republican Senate Leader Anthony Bucco, R-25th District
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District
Republican Assembly Leader John DiMaio, R-23rd District
Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-16th District

This discussion focused on how these lawmakers and legislative leaders from each party and chamber are helping Jersey business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate executives.

Moving the Needle: Addressing Longstanding Inequities

Moderated by: Wendy Lanski, director of enterprise vendor management & operations, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Featuring: John Harmon, president and CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
Augusto “Gus” Penaranda, executive director, New Jersey PRIDE Chamber of Commerce
Luis De La Hoz, chairman, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of NJ
Jeff Cantor, CEO, NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce

This panel explored the recent state disparity study that concluded minority- and women-owned businesses are not getting their fair share of government contracts — and how to remedy those inequities.

CEO closeup

Bookending those panel discussions were appearances by two of New Jersey’s most admired and notorious leaders: Jersey Mike’s CEO and founder Peter Cancro and Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Joaquin Duato.

Cranco shared his journey of taking the brand from one shop in Point Pleasant to a worldwide brand with more than 2,800 locations. Meanwhile, Duato participated in a fireside chat. He discussed the legendary New Brunswick company’s 138-year journey to become one of the world’s largest health care companies. J&J has more 130,000 employees.

Day one closed out with a speech from Gov. Phil Murphy, NJBIZ has coverage of that here.

On Wednesday, the second day of the summit includes two final panels. One features several of the 2025 gubernatorial candidates.

Bracken will also deliver closing recommendations based on discussions during the event.

Stay tuned for continued coverage from NJBIZ.