Twenty-two NJBIA manufacturers lined the halls of the State House on March 15, showing Governor Jon Corzine, former Governor Richard Codey and dozens of legislators what they make, how they make it, and what New Jersey should do to help their industry succeed. It was all part of NJBIA's Made in New Jersey Day, designed to highlight the products and innovations of New Jersey manufacturers.

The exhibits ran the gamut from hand-made porcelain figurines and building materials made entirely out of recycled paper to traditional Italian ice cream, safety restraints used in NASCAR race cars and upscale leather briefcases. Governor Jon Corzine toured the exhibits, stopping at each table and talking with the exhibitors about their products. Codey, who is the Senate President, also stopped at many exhibits, as did many members of the State Senate and Assembly, taking advantage of the opportunities to meet businesses in their districts and learn more about the products that are made in their own backyards and the entire State.

Speaking at a press briefing following the tour, Corzine said New Jersey manufacturers face serious competition from across the world, but expressed optimism that the lower business taxes, innovative ideas and improvements in productivity his administration has championed will help keep manufacturing viable in the State.

NJBIA President Philip Kirschner said the event is part of NJBIA's award-winning Manufacturing Counts! Campaign for Manufacturing Renewal in New Jersey. “Our manufacturers are amazing,” NJBIA President Philip Kirschner said. “Year in and year out they stand up to fierce global competition while operating in one of the highest cost states in the nation. They provide quality jobs and good benefits. Manufacturing in New Jersey has a great story to tell and Made in New Jersey Day is our chance to tell it.” To learn more about the NJBIA Manufacturing Counts! Campaign, visit the campaign Web site.

Meet The Decision Makers: The Governor’s Key Advisors on Wednesday, April 11—NJBIA’s Meet the Decision Makers breakfast series will feature the Governor’s key advisors on Wednesday, April 11. Chief of Staff Thomas Shea, Chief Counsel Ken Zimmerman and Policy Counsel Heather Howard will share their insights into the policies and plans of Governor Jon Corzine’s administration and take your questions. Don't miss this rare opportunity to talk to all three of the Corzine administration’s top advisors at the same time. The breakfast will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, just off NJ Turnpike Exit 8A. The cost to attend this breakfast is $69 per person for NJBIA members and $105 for nonmembers. For more information or to become a high profile sponsor, contact Sherry Esteves at 609-393-7707, ext. 219, or register online now.

NJBIA Members to get Discount on Small Business Seminars—As part of a new partnership with the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), NJBIA members will receive a 20 percent discount on a new series of SBDC workshops and be a priority for one-on-one counseling. The workshops and counseling are designed to help established small businesses move to the next stage in their development by showing them the steps they need to take in marketing, finance and management. To sign-up online, visit www.njbia.org/resources/sbdc.asp. For more information, call 800-432-1565.

The Next Stage Business Growth series consists of nine workshops, and participants can choose which ones they want to attend. The entire series will be held in three locations: April through June at Rutgers University, Camden Campus; March through May at Raritan Valley Community College, North Branch; and September through November at Bergen County Community College, Hackensack. NJBIA members who take all nine workshops (this is not required; you can take one workshop if you wish) would save a total of $268. As part of the partnership agreement, NJBIA members who seek counseling with the SBDC’s regional consultants will be given high priority.

Meet the Legislative Leaders Series Begins Wednesday, March 28—NJBIA Meet the Legislative Leaders breakfasts will begin with South Jersey legislators on Wednesday, March 28 at the Mansion on Main Street in Voorhees, then Central Jersey legislators on Tuesday, April 17 at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, and North Jersey legislators on Wednesday, April 25 at the Holiday Inn in Newark.

Area legislators and business colleagues will be in attendance, and issues such as healthcare costs, energy costs, taxes and paid family leave will be discussed.

Each event will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a full breakfast and a brief overview of NJBIA’s legislative agenda, followed by the panel of legislative leaders, who will offer their thoughts and answer your specific questions. The program will end at 10:00 a.m. The cost is $69 per person per event for NJBIA members, $105 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Katie Wittkamp at 609-393-7707, ext. 239, or register online. For more information on high visibility sponsorship opportunities, contact Sherry Esteves at ext. 219.

New Good Neighbor Awards Advertising and Sponsorship Opportunities—The New Good Neighbor Awards annually recognize the best and most exciting commercial and industrial development projects in the State of New Jersey.

Capitalize on the high visibility of this prestigious award by taking advantage of the Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities we are offering for 2007.

• Co-sponsor the June 1, 2007 luncheon honoring the winners.

• Advertise in the June 2007 issue of New Jersey Business Magazine.

• Maximize your visibility and save money by signing up for both.

For more information on sponsorship contact Sherry Esteves at 609-393-7707, ext. 219. For more information on advertising opportunities, contact Vincent Schweikert at 973-882-5004, ext. 110.

Raise Your Visibility. Become an Event Sponsor—Golf & Tennis Day. NJBIA's Meet the Decision Makers series. First-rate events like these offer your company an excellent opportunity to reach their target audiences and heighten their visibility as an event sponsor. Learn more about becoming an NJBIA sponsor online or contact Sherry Esteves at 609-393-7707, ext. 219.