Greater Trenton’s First Annual Capital City Economic Outlook (Capital C.E.O.), which kicked off at New Jersey REALTORS on May 23rd, was met with great success as attendees cheered, applauded, and even shouted “amen” during the well attended event.
Sold out before the registration deadline, the event featured passionate remarks by City of Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, compelling comments by Bryn Mawr Trust Bank President Kevin Tylus, warm remarks by New Jersey REALTORS CEO Jarrod Grasso, and an inspirational keynote address by Greater Trenton CEO George Sowa.
Attendees learned about the groundwork and visioning happening in Trenton and the necessary steps to ensure that these and future projects are successful.
Brenda Ross-Dulan, Principal at The Ross Dulan Group, provided context on Greater Trenton’s Caren Franzini Award Celebration and the organization’s overarching mission.
All Event Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/greatertrentonnj/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2697479506990620
A short video also received ovation as attendees expressed gratitude and support for an increasingly positive narrative about New Jersey’s Capital City. The video, produced by Bryan Evans at Greater Trenton, can be found here.
“We thank Bryn Mawr Trust for being this year’s presenting sponsor,” said George Sowa, CEO of Greater Trenton. “We enjoyed encouraging words from all of our speakers during this spectacular evening of economic development insights with business, community, industry, and elected leaders convening around great assets, opportunities and initiatives in New Jersey’s Capital City.”
Following the success of Greater Trenton’s First Annual Caren Franzini Capital City Award Celebration on December 6, 2018, the First Annual Capital CEO event set the stage for a city on the rise as George Sowa spotlighted several private and public sector projects, transit area development, recreational opportunities, planning for diversity, a whitepaper to entice state workers to live and work downtown, and Greater Trenton’s new headquarters at 124 West State Street.
“Greater Trenton has been, and continues to be, a great partner working with the city, state, county and business community to champion economic revitalization efforts in our historic Capital City,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “This gathering helped shine a spotlight on Trenton as a premier attraction and hotspot for development ahead of the city’s 250th Anniversary of our Nation in 2026.”
“Trenton’s illustrious past is motivation for its resurgence in today’s modern economy. Bryn Mawr Trust was happy to participate with the business community in its all-important role to inspire Trenton’s future,” commented BMT Bank President, Kevin Tylus.
On the third floor of the headquarters of New Jersey Realtors, attendees enjoyed an open bar provided by 1911 Smokehouse and hors d’oeuvres catered by Trenton Social while interacting with business leaders, architects, developers, bankers, insurance professionals, wealth managers and community coalition builders.
“There’s a lot of momentum in Trenton right now,” said Bernie Flynn, Co-Founder of Greater Trenton and Chair of Greater Trenton’s Advisory Committee. “This event highlighted myriad projects and initiatives bubbling up in New Jersey’s Capital City and also set the stage and vision for a city on the rise.”
Flynn announced that Greater Trenton will honor Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman at its Second Annual Caren Franzini Capital City Award Celebration happening on December 2, 2019.
Bryan Evans, Greater Trenton’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, announced the recipients of Greater Trenton’s Journalism and Communications Scholarship and Internship Program. Emily De Jesus and Belveth Simon, seniors at Trenton Central High School, received the awards which included monies toward college and a fully paid summer internship working as part of TrentonDaily’s editorial team.
“I’m very excited about working with Emily and Belveth this summer as part of our paid internship and scholarship award,” said Evans. “This initiative offers a tremendous opportunity to not only strengthen a passion for writing, but to also help bolster positive stories about Trenton from these exceptional students who bring a fresh perspective to Trenton’s narrative.”
This Fall, De Jesus will attend Dickinson College where she will major in Communications and Business Administration while Simon heads to Rider University with a focus on secondary education and mathematics.
