On October 9th, #HipNJ‘s business, labor, academia, nonprofit and government elite gathered at Choose New Jersey‘s inaugural Growing the Garden State “Rocking Reception”. Over 320 packed Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster for great food, cocktails, entertainment by The Infernos, and high-level networking with New Jersey’s “business rockstars”.
#HipNJ‘s Lisa Marie Latino chatted with many of the party’s VIPs on the red carpet, including Tracye McDaniel, president and CEO of Choose New Jersey; Ed Walsh, managing partner of Avison Young and the event’s chair; Randal Pinkett, president and CEO of BCT Partners (and Season 4 winner of “The Apprentice“!); former New York Giants great and senior VP of Avison Young, Bart Oates; Linda Bowden, New Jersey president of PNC Bank; Poonam Khubani, VP of Telebrands; and CEO of Siel America Glauco Pensini, who moved his business to the Garden State, thanks to Choose New Jersey.
“The only two [New Jersey rockstars] who aren’t here are [Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen],” quipped Bernie Flynn, president and CEO of New Jersey Manufacturers.
The “rocking reception” featured Steve Adubato as emcee and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno as the keynote speaker.
“You all know as well as I do that it’s a very competitive world, and companies have a choice. We have to thank Choose New Jersey because we’re now in the game,” proclaimed Guadagno.
Choose New Jersey is a privately funded nonprofit dedicated to lead generation, business attraction and marketing that encourages investment in New Jersey, with a focus on helping the state’s most distressed cities become engines for economic growth. More than $320,000 was raised at the “rocking reception” to help fuel Choose New Jersey’s mission.
Steve Kalafer, Chairman of Flemington Car & Truck Country of Dealerships and the Somerset Patriots, summed up the night- and the cause- best:
“Choose New Jersey because there’s a return on investment. Choose New Jersey because it’s the most educated workforce in the United States. Choose New Jersey because we’re at the cutting edge of technology. Choose New Jersey because it’s right…and it’s hip!”
#HipNJ couldn’t agree more- we live in the best state to live, work and play!
For more on Choose New Jersey, visit ChooseNJ.com.
