Proof of concept: A meeting in London demonstrates value of Choose New Jersey and these economic mission trips

The media release details how Gov. Phil Murphy participated in a roundtable discussion Friday with member companies of the Association of British HealthTech Industries during his economic mission trip to the United Kingdom – and how that group aims to bring a delegation to New Jersey next April.

It hardly tells the whole story.

The interaction with Choose New Jersey and ABHI exemplifies the work that the team at Choose New Jersey does – and the true importance of the numerous international trips the state’s leading economic development organization arranges for the governor.

Consider:

The connection began with a meeting between ABHI and Barry Clarke, Choose New Jersey’s representative in the United Kingdom. Clarke connected ABHI leader to Bill Noonan, Choose’s Chief Business Development Officer a few months back.

Noonan and the team at Choose arranged a trip for a small contingent of ABHI members to come to New Jersey in September, when they met with numerous companies on the Choose board, including Hackensack Meridian Health, Rutgers and Rowan. They also met with representatives from the N.J. Economic Development Authority.

The trip was a hit. One company, in fact, is all but set to do a pilot program with Rutgers.

“They were so excited by all the opportunities that they saw in New Jersey,” Noonan said.

So much so, that when ABHI officials met with Noonan in October in the UK, they said they wanted to bring an even larger contingent to New Jersey.

Jumping on the opportunity, Noonan, Clarke and the Choose team arranged to have a group of ABHI companies meet directly with Gov. Phil Murphy on this trip to the U.K.

The trip to New Jersey, one that will include approximately three dozen ABHI representatives, is set for next April.

“This is why we do what we do,” Noonan said.

Noonan got a shout out from an ABHI company at the roundtable last Friday — but he was quick to deflect praise. The entire Choose team deserves the credit, Noonan said.

“This truly is an entire team effort,” he said. “It starts with the relationships we have with companies from around the state who sit on our board. In this case, all of the stakeholders we have in the life sciences area.

“And then, it’s all the people we have at Choose, from Rachel Cohen, the relevant sector lead, to Carly Wronko, the director of marketing and her team, which produces all of the materials that promote the state, to (Director of Research and Strategic Partnerships) Rena Sherman, who does so much of the behind-the-scenes work.

“It’s a total team effort.”

One that Murphy recognizes.

In welcoming ABHI to the state in April, he reminded the group at the roundtable that New Jersey was ready to provide “concierge” service in the run up to the trip, during the trip and after. The state, he said, is ready to provide whatever is needed.

“New Jersey is committed to fostering global partnerships that drive innovation and economic growth,” he said. “Collaborating with ABHI and UK HealthTech leaders presents a unique opportunity to strengthen our state’s leadership in Life Sciences and HealthTech.”

New Jersey, of course, has an incredible life sciences sector — a major economic driver that has approximately 4,300 companies employing more than 100,000 people across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical device manufacturing.

That doesn’t take into account the state’s 72 acute care hospitals as well as dozens more specialty hospitals.

Choose New Jersey CEO Wes Mathews said seeing the mission of the organization combined with the sector in the state lead to economic development is great to see.

“New Jersey’s partnership with ABHI is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation and expanding our life sciences sector,” he said.

“With each engagement, from the September cohort’s visit to (Friday’s) roundtable, we’re strengthening New Jersey’s ties with UK HealthTech leaders and creating new avenues for collaboration.

“We look forward to welcoming ABHI’s trade delegation to New Jersey in 2025 and building on this momentum to bring new opportunities and advancements to both markets.”

Read the article here.