Why is it Important for You to Attend? It's the People You'll Meet.
During these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to take to the rails and meet face-to-face with as many potential clients as possible. During the two-day State Chamber Walk to Washington you will meet the movers and shakers of New Jersey's business, association, civic, non-profit and political circles, enabling you to leave Washington with plenty of business cards that would otherwise take months or years to collect.
Whether on the train, at our dinner or at many of the other events taking place at the Marriott, your time will be well spent as you build your contacts. Over the years, the trip has become the premier networking event in the state and is well worth the investment for anyone looking to increase their visibility - and expand their business.
Walk to Washington Train Ride
The tradition began in 1937 when several of the state’s top business executives took a train to Washington to have dinner with New Jersey’s congressional delegation – the rest is history. The Walk to Washington (it is called that because few sit on the train and literally walk the train the whole way to DC) begins when our chartered Amtrak train departs Newark and our other scheduled stops – Metro Park, New Brunswick, Trenton, Philadelphia and Wilmington – for the ride to Washington.
Congressional Dinner
Once in Washington, the event’s 1,500 attendees converge on the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel for the annual Congressional Dinner. The action-packed evening begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception and continues into the dinner hour at 7 p.m. when our formal program begins.
Dinner Highlights:
100th Year Kick-Off Celebration
The Chamber was founded in 1911, making 2010 the organization's 100th year. At the dinner, we will recognize the Chamber's rich history and kick-off a year-long celebration of events that will culminate at the 2011 dinner.
Congressional Roundtable
The evening will also feature a roundtable discussion with members of Congress focusing on issues important to the New Jersey employer community.
And Before You Return . . .
Participate in the many related events provided by leading New Jersey businesses and organizations. Post-dinner hospitality suites and morning breakfasts are all part of the tradition. Our chartered Amtrak doesn’t leave Union Station in Washington until late Friday morning and getting you home in time for dinner. (Click here to see who attended last year)
Get Connected to a New and Vibrant Marketplace During Trip
Spend two days learning to navigate the complex world of government procurement.
Amtrak, the engine that drives the Walk to Washington; Small Business, the engine that drives New Jersey’s economy. Perfect Together. Job creation is key to New Jersey’s recovery, and finding new business is the ticket to business success for the Garden State's small business community. With all of the talk of stimulus money, a very small percentage of our companies have benefitted...not because it's unavailable, but because they don't know where to start. Think you're too small to compete for a government contract, or concerned that they're not buying what you're selling?
This past year, the Chamber launched THE Contract Connection, an entity created specifically to connect you to a new and vibrant marketplace. It consists of three partners - Henry Savelli, Patrick Guidotti and Michelle Hermelee - who have over 70 years of comprehensive knowledge and experience in all phases of federal, state and local government contracting. This unique blend of hard-to-find expertise provides Chamber members with a competitive advantage when attempting to navigate the complex world of government procurement.
THE Contract Connection car on the train will put you back on track. While onboard you will meet representatives of THE Contract Connection, there to answer your questions about how to do business with the government. Don't fret if you're too busy networking to get to the procurement team on the train. THE Contract Connection will have a room available before and after the 7 p.m. dinner so that you can network with the procurement team – and be matched with purchasing agents from government and the private sector. Larry Allen, the president of the Coalition for Government Procurement (CGP), will also be available in Washington to make you aware of the vast procurement opportunities available within the federal government. CGP is the single most effective voice for companies of all size selling in the federal market.
Take advantage of this new Walk to Washington offering designed to increase your profits.
Companies invited to participate include: Booz Allan Hamilton, CACI Inc-Federal, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Computer Sciences Corporation, Accenture Federal, IBM Corporation, Boeing and Unisys Corporation.
If you are interested in participating in the procurement matchmaking sessions, please contact Carol Gabel at (609) 989-7888 ext. 117 or carol@njchamber.com.
Register Online Today - Do Not Be Left Out
Register early because the train fills up quickly each year. Advance registration is absolutely necessary. Reservation requests will not be processed without payment. Reservations will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hotel Accommodations - The Marriott Sells Out Quickly So Secure Your Room Now
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel Attendees are responsible for their own hotel accommodations. The Marriott Wardman Park Hotel’s reservation number is (202) 328-2000. To receive the special State Chamber room rate, indicate that you are attending the NJ Chamber of Commerce dinner.
The chamber has arranged for a room block at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, which is conveniently located across the street from the Marriott. Call (202) 234-0700 for reservations. To receive the special State Chamber room rate, indicate that you are attending the NJ Chamber of Commerce dinner.
The Marriott Wardman
Park Hotel
is the center
of all the action.
Train Schedule
Click here for the train schedule for Jan. 28 and 29.
High Visibility Sponsorships for High Visibility Event
Click here for event 2010 sponsor opportunities. Don't miss the chance to spread your message to a highly influential and captive audience of business and political leaders.
Advertising Opportunities
2010 Congressional Directory & Dinner Program
The State Chamber’s annual Congressional Dinner may only last one evening, but by advertising in the dinner journal, you can make your company’s presence at the event felt year round. That’s because the dinner journal is also a handy reference guide containing useful information about the state’s congressional delegation.
Delegation profiles contain:
Key staff contacts • Committee assignments • Office addresses • Phone and fax numbers • E-mail and Internet addresses • Personal information • Governor & state legislative leader profiles are also included
2010 Attendance Book Travels To Washington With Attendees
You may also advertise in the event’s attendance book, which is placed on every seat of our chartered Amtrak train. You’re guaranteed high visibility in this publication, since it’s perused by everyone on the train.
Ad sizes and prices:
Full page facing delegation member (Only Dinner Program) – $800 (8½” width x 11” height)
Full page – $600 (8½” width x 11” height)
Half page – $425 (8½” width x 5½” height)
Quarter page – $350 (4¼” width x 5½” height)
All ads are black and white and can be e-mailed in a high resolution PDF format to Eliza Stasi. Artwork can also be mailed to: Congressional Dinner Advertising c/o NJ Chamber of Commerce, 216 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.
Advertising deadline: Monday, January 11, 2010
Click here to download a form to secure your advertising space.
Other Information
Due to increased security measures, photo IDs will be required to board our trains. Further security measures will be communicated to you with your tickets and credentials, which will be mailed in middle-January.
Tickets for our Amtrak charter are not valid for travel on any other scheduled train, nor can they be redeemed by the railroad.
Due to new restrictions at Union Station, limited buses will be available upon our arrival in Washington to take you to the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. A complimentary Metro Pass that can be used Thursday afternoon and Friday morning will be provided. The Metro subway line is located at Union Station and takes you directly to the hotel (Woodley Road stop).
For ballroom level meeting room information, call Evangeline Wilson at (202) 378-5421. For upstairs hospitality suite information, call Ömür Tütüncü at (202) 745-6372.
For More Information
For more information, please call Salina Pazdan at (609) 989-7888.
During these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to take to the rails and meet face-to-face with as many potential clients as possible. During the two-day State Chamber Walk to Washington you will meet the movers and shakers of New Jersey's business, association, civic, non-profit and political circles, enabling you to 
Walk to Washington Train Ride 
Amtrak, the engine that drives the Walk to Washington; Small Business, the engine that drives New Jersey’s economy. Perfect Together. Job creation is key to New Jersey’s recovery, and finding new business is the ticket to business success for the Garden State's small business community. With all of the talk of stimulus money, a very small percentage of our companies have benefitted...not because it's unavailable, but because they don't know where to start. Think you're too small to compete for a government contract, or concerned that they're not buying what you're selling?
2010 Congressional Directory & Dinner Program