New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

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The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is an independent business advocacy organization based in Trenton. It represents the interests of many businesses and trade associations. It is not an agency of state or federal government.

Contents

In addition to lobbying on behalf of the business community at the New Jersey State House and in Washington, the Chamber provides members with networking events, educational programs and money-saving discounts. Its membership has long been broad-based, ranging from solo proprietors to Fortune 500 companies. [1]

Founding

In 1911, a group of New Jersey businessmen including Thomas Edison petitioned for the establishment of a state chamber of commerce. They considered governor Woodrow Wilson was pushing policies seen as antagonistic towards business, and were also spurred into action by the 1911 Supreme Court decision ordering a breakup of Standard Oil of New Jersey for contravening antitrust laws. [2]

"Walk to Washington"

Since 1937, [3] the Chamber has sponsored an annual lobbying/business networking event called the "Walk to Washington," in which state business leaders and elected officials traveled together by chartered train (most recently on Amtrak) from Newark to Washington (with stops in New Brunswick, Metropark station (Iselin, Woodbridge Township), Trenton, Philadelphia, and Wilmington) to meet with the state's congressional delegation. [4] [5] During the journey, attendees could walk up and down the length of the train to personally meet with each other in what has been described as a "fraternity-house atmosphere." [6] In response to complaints of inappropriate behavior on the train, the Chamber adopted a zero tolerance policy and banned hard alcohol in 2020. [4] [6] The "Walk to Washington" was suspended after the 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Chamber has announced plans to resume the event in 2025. [7]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercer County, New Jersey</span> County in New Jersey, United States

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The Northeast Corridor Line is a commuter rail service operated by NJ Transit between the Trenton Transit Center and New York Penn Station on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor in the United States. The service is the successor to Pennsylvania Railroad commuter trains between Trenton and New York, and is NJ Transit's busiest commuter rail service. After arrival at New York Penn Station, some trains load passengers and return to New Jersey, while others continue east to Sunnyside Yard for storage. Most servicing is done at the Morrisville Yard, at the west end of the line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newark Liberty International Airport Station</span> NJ Transit and Amtrak station

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National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is a U.S. not-for-profit advocacy group that aims to expand the economic opportunities and advancement of the LGBT business community. Its headquarters are in NW in Washington, D.C. NGLCC is the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses known as LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs), and advocates for LGBT business inclusion in corporate and government supplier diversity programs. In October 2017, the organization changed its name from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to National LGBT Chamber of Commerce to better reflect the entire LGBT business community it serves.

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Jonathan D. Lovitz is an American advocate, former actor, and non-profit executive. He served as Senior Vice President of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce since 2015. He previously served as Communications Director and acting executive director of StartOut. Prior to advocacy, Lovitz was a performer in multiple national tours of Broadway shows, regional theaters, and television shows.

References

  1. "New Jersey Chamber of Commerce". njchamber.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-21.
  2. "New Jersey Chamber of Commerce". njchamber.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-20.
  3. How old is the Walk?, NJ Chamber of Commerce (2020 event website)
  4. 1 2 Chamber cancels 2022 Walk to Washington train trip, New Jersey Globe, Oct. 28, 2021
  5. NJ Chamber eyes 2025 return for Walk to Washington, NJBIZ, Apr. 28, 2023
  6. 1 2 It’s on: Walk to Washington officially booked for 2025, ROI-NJ, Nov. 6, 2023
  7. Walk to Washington train trip to return — in 2025, ROI-NJ, Apr. 28, 2023