Event in Atlantic City on September 17 and 18 will Focus on Solving State's Most Pressing Economic Issues Identified by Executives
The state's top-ranking legislators - Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick - are among the state leaders that will join business executives in a first-of-its-kind Business Summit at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City on Sept.17 and 18.
Key Economic Issues
The Summit will examine four key issues that New Jersey government leaders must address to improve New Jersey's economy and its competitive standing in the nation and the world.
The issues to be discussed were identified in a survey of more than 400 New Jersey business executives between April and June. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce partnered with chambers of commerce across the state to conduct this survey.
The four issues are:
- The state's tax structure
- State government's regulations and mandates
- Transportation and infrastructure projects
- Workforce readiness
Summit Attendees
In addition to leading business executives, this two-day Summit will include officials from many of the state's chambers of commerce, business trade associations, not-for-profits, labor organizations, and institutions of higher education, as well as representatives of the Christie administration, the state Legislature, and local governments.
"This is a great opportunity for the business community to do something it has not done in a very long time - speak with a unified voice to government officials whom we believe are ready to listen," said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
Summit Agenda
On the first day of the Summit, Sept. 17, four panels of experts, one for each of the issues identified, will recommend solutions to attendees, who will then have the opportunity to offer their own suggestions and perspectives.
On day two, Sept. 18, a special Legislative Leadership Panel consisting of Sweeney, Kean, Prieto and Bramnick will discuss the Summit's recommendations as well as their own views of these and other major issues. The panel will be moderated by Eric Scott, executive director of news at Townsquare Media and radio station 101.5 FM.
"This will not be about finger pointing or assessing blame," said Bracken. "This will be a forum for serious, solutions-oriented discussions. We will be looking forward, not back."
The event will be open to the media.