New Date Will Soon be Announced
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce announced that the 77th annual Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner is being postponed on the recommendation of Amtrak due to the forecast of a severe snowstorm in New Jersey and Washington D.C.
The Walk will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
"First and foremost, we don't want to risk the safety of 900 guests registered for this event, which requires travel in and through three states and Washington D.C.," said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. "The Walk to Washington will go on, as it is such an important event for New Jersey."
The Walk to Washington is the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce's annual trek to the nation's capital. The N.J. Chamber charters an Amtrak train that becomes a rolling networking event as it travels from Newark to D.C. The Walk to Washington obtained its name when folks realized that few sit on the train; they literally walk up and down the aisle the whole way to Washington, networking and exchanging business cards.
The trip hits a crescendo when the train reaches the nation's capital and guests gather at the Marriott Wardman Park for a cocktail reception, the Congressional Dinner, a keynote address by Gov. Chris Christie and a dessert buffet extravaganza that allows the networking to continue into the night.
The event has become a New Jersey institution, attracting New Jersey business leaders in every industry and political leaders in every level of government. This year, speakers included Gov. Christie, U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, and Rep. Chris Smith, the dean of New Jersey's Congressional delegation.