Choose New Jersey Expands Reach in Q1 with Inaugural Mission to the United Arab Emirates and AI Marketing Campaign in California

Newark, NJ — Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, today announced a successful first quarter of 2024, marked by expansive international engagement and the announcement of a West Coast office in California.

In March, Choose New Jersey launched an economic development campaign in California focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and the State’s ability to provide companies the fertile ground to grow their innovations. In April, Governor Murphy led a delegation to the Bay Area to pitch New Jersey’s growing AI industry alongside Princeton University, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), and Choose New Jersey. The campaign blends digital media billboards, car wraps, and LED trucks, and reinforces Governor Murphy’s initiative to establish New Jersey as a national leader in ethical AI and the pre-eminent hub on the East Coast. The group also touted New Jersey’s strong film, television, and digital media incentives to studio executives in Los Angeles as well as the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission’s efforts to support the industry.

“In partnership with Choose New Jersey, my Administration will continue to aggressively make the case to the nation and the world for why New Jersey is the best place to start and grow a business,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “From building upon our life sciences ecosystem with new advances to attracting investments in areas such as AI and film, we are helping businesses thrive and boosting our state’s economy.”

The quarter included the organization’s inaugural mission to the United Arab Emirates. Choose New Jersey showcased New Jersey’s food and agriculture industries at the U.S. pavilion at Gulfood, the world’s largest food and beverage trade show. Choose New Jersey also met with officials from the Emirati government, sovereign wealth funds, universities, the U.S. ambassador and consul general, and other business organizations to explore partnerships and investment opportunities.

“New Jersey is a leader in innovation and growing new economies, and Choose New Jersey is telling that story boldly,” said Ralph LaRossa, Chairman of Choose New Jersey and Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer of PSEG. “Through our expanding global presence and compelling economic development campaign, we are making it clear that New Jersey is the best place for forward-thinking businesses that want to be a part of our strong economic momentum.”

The Q1 board meeting, hosted by Johnson & Johnson at their global headquarters, was attended by the Choose New Jersey board and the extended Choose New Jersey team, including representatives from each of their five international offices. The domestic and international teams toured the State during the organization’s inaugural “International Week,” an opportunity for members from around the world to meet, network, share best practices, and deepen their understanding of what New Jersey has to offer. 

At Choose New Jersey’s quarterly board meeting, President and CEO Wesley Mathews announced that Chief Strategy Officer Tim Crouch will lead a new Choose New Jersey West Coast Center in California. He also announced that Choose New Jersey will officially open the Choose New Jersey Asia-Pacific Center in Taipei later this month.

“With our inaugural mission to the UAE and the upcoming launch of our West Coast Center led by our Chief Strategist, Choose New Jersey is expanding the reach of our message that New Jersey is an ideal home for business,” said Wesley Mathews, President & CEO of Choose New Jersey. “Our achievements in Q1 set the pace for a year that will continue to demonstrate New Jersey’s position as a global leader in innovation, workforce, and quality of life.”

Other noteworthy events of the quarter include:

• Governor Murphy signed an executive order establishing the New Jersey-India Commission and named Choose New Jersey President and CEO Wesley Mathews as its chairman.  
• In partnership with the New Jersey-Israel Commission, Choose New Jersey co-hosted a seminar on starting a business in New Jersey to assist Israeli business owners who have recently moved to the State. 
• Choose New Jersey attended the SelectUSA Mexico trade show and the SelectUSA IRA Roadshow in Europe. 
• Choose New Jersey hosted its quarterly Economic Development Organization (EDO) meeting with Burlington County to bring together economic development officers from around the State to share best practices.
• Choose New Jersey participated in ReNew Jersey in Atlantic City. Mathews hosted a panel with business owners, including Ralph LaRossa, to discuss CNBC’s ranking of New Jersey as the most improved state for business. 

About Choose New Jersey, Inc.

Choose New Jersey is the State’s leading non-profit business attraction organization. We harness the collective power of New Jersey’s business, government, labor, and academic sectors to expand New Jersey’s economy. We work globally, using our marketing expertise, concierge business development, deep knowledge of the State, and convening power, in collaboration with State government, to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators to make New Jersey their home. To learn more, visit choosenj.com.