NJ250: New Jersey Powers America
Celebrating the Businesses & People That Built America—and What's Next
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
5 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
The Palace at Somerset Park
Registration: $220 for members & non-members
Join us for this celebration recognizing the companies, innovators, and leaders that have propelled New Jersey — and the nation — forward over the past 250 years. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, this event will spotlight the state’s extraordinary contributions to industry, innovation, and economic growth, while looking ahead to the next 250 years of progress. This event will recognize individuals and organizations from New Jersey’s past, present, and future.
Special Guests
Hon. Dale Caldwell, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey
The lieutenant governor will reflect on New Jersey’s remarkable legacy as a center of commerce, innovation, and entrepreneurship, while sharing his vision for what it will take for our state to thrive over the next 250 years. In particular, Caldwell will address the policies, partnerships, investments, and leadership needed to ensure that New Jersey remains a global leader in business, innovation, workforce development, and economic opportunity for future generations.
Steve Edwards, President, New Jersey Hall of Fame
Mr. Edwards will highlight the extraordinary New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees whose entrepreneurial spirit, groundbreaking discoveries, and business leadership helped build iconic companies, create transformative industries, and develop products and technologies that have benefited New Jerseyans, the nation, and the world. Their stories embody the ingenuity, perseverance, and bold thinking that have defined New Jersey for generations. He will also reflect on what these remarkable inductees can teach us as we look toward America's next 250 years.
Paul Israel, Director and General Editor, Thomas A. Edison Papers, Rutgers University
Mr. Israel will explore New Jersey's remarkable legacy of innovation and business leadership through the life of Thomas Edison. He will also highlight the state's "Mount Rushmore" of business visionaries—including Edison, Alexander Hamilton, John Roebling, David Sarnoff and Robert Wood Johnson—whose ideas, companies and leadership helped build America and continue to inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
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