Special Guests include Gov. Murphy, U.S. Sens. Booker and Kim, Congressman Smith, New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation and Gubernatorial Candidates
Gov. Phil Murphy will speak at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s 84th Congressional Reception on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, in Washington, D.C. Also scheduled to deliver remarks are Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, and Congressman Chris Smith, the dean of the state’s Congressional Delegation.
The Congressional Reception is the culmination of the Walk to Washington, the N.J. Chamber's train trek to the nation's capital. It is returning this year – following a five-year hiatus – with a streamlined agenda that will allow for more networking.
The event attracts hundreds of New Jersey business leaders in every industry and political leaders in every level of government, giving guests unprecedented opportunities for conversation, visibility and business networking.
Since 2025 is a gubernatorial election year, leading gubernatorial candidates will participate in the two-day event – and take part in a breakfast panel discussion on Friday, Feb. 7 – making the Walk to Washington a must-attend event.
“The Walk features the kind of super-networking that helps businesses grow,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “That is why we have been doing it for 84 years. It’s still New Jersey's biggest and most unique business event.”
Guests will have the opportunity to hear from Gov. Murphy, members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation, state legislators and gubernatorial candidates as they discuss efforts to build the economy and generate jobs.
On Feb. 6, Chamber members will board a chartered Amtrak train to Washington for the Walk to Washington, a name given to the event because riders on the train walk up and down the aisles discussing issues and generating business contacts.
What’s New For the 2025 Walk to Washington
Once in our nation’s capital, the networking shifts from the train to a new destination – the historic and luxurious Omni Shoreham Hotel.
The Walk to Washington's traditional sit-down dinner will be replaced this year by a lively and extended dinner-and-cocktail reception with a streamlined program honoring New Jersey’s Congressional delegation. Guests will enjoy food, drinks and desserts – and get more time for valuable business networking.
The Train Schedule
The Chamber train picks up passengers at Penn Station in Newark. The train then makes stops in Iselin (Metropark), New Brunswick, Trenton, Philadelphia and Wilmington before heading into Washington.
Participants spend the evening at Congressional Reception at the Omni Shoreham. The networking continues the next morning with the breakfast panel discussion in D.C. with New Jersey’s gubernatorial candidates, followed by the charter train's return trip to New Jersey, bringing guests back to their point of origin.
Reporters and editors interested in covering the event can email Scott Goldstein
(There is a discount rate for credentialed media)
Rooms at the Omni Shoreham Hotel are available at a special rate for attendees – $269/night (before taxes and fees). Book here: https://bookings.omnihotels.com/event/washington-dc-shoreham/walk-to-washington-2025
For more info about the Walk to Washington, go to https://njchamber.com/events/walk-to-washington