It was billed as the premier networking event of the new year, and by all accounts, it delivered on that promise and more. On Tuesday night, Jan. 13, the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick was the center of the New Jersey business universe as more than 400 of the state’s most influential leaders gathered for the inaugural BINJE’s Best: Power Players reception.
The evening, presented by Johnson & Johnson, was a “Who’s Who” of the Garden State, honoring more than 125 executives, innovators, and advocates who are driving the state’s economy forward.
The energy in the room reached a new high with the arrival of Lieutenant Governor-elect Dale Caldwell. Representing the incoming administration of Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, Caldwell delivered a powerful message of collaboration and economic optimism.
Caldwell, a former corporate consultant and university president, felt right at home among the honorees. He spent the entire evening shaking hands, collecting business cards, and listening to the challenges and ideas of the attendees.
“This is a community we want to connect with and work with,” Caldwell said. “One of the things you’re going to see from this administration is that we’re going to put you to work. We’re going to ask you for your ideas. We can’t do everything, but we need to make sure that we work from the community up.”
An event of this magnitude would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our partners and the generosity of our sponsors.
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To the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce: A special thank you to CEO Tom Bracken and the entire Chamber team. As the event planner and operator, the Chamber did an incredible job managing a sold-out crowd and ensuring the night remained focused on what truly matters: high-level networking and building relationships.
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To Our Presenting Sponsor: Our deepest gratitude to Johnson & Johnson for their lead support in making this vision a reality.
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To Our Premier & Executive Sponsors: Thank you to PSEG, Hackensack Meridian Health, Inspira Health, and NJM Insurance Group.
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To Our Strategic Partners: We are grateful for the support of Bank of America, Bergen New Bridge, MC Hotel, NRS, RWJBarnabas Health, SJI, St. Peter’s University Hospital, United Airlines, and Valley Bank.
- To Our Team: Heather Long, Linda Lindner, the Bergeron Family (Lori, Andy, Benjamin and Anastasia), Rob Russo and Eric Strauss.
We also want to thank our extensive list of event sponsors, including the African American Chamber of Commerce, Archer & Greiner, Bayshore Recycling, BioNJ, Carpenter Contractor Trust, CSG Law, Control Point, Fidelity National Title, the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey, New Jersey Hospital Association, and New Jersey Natural Gas.
“We are delighted by the response from both the honorees and the broader business community,” Tom Bergeron, BINJE owner and editor said. “This was an old-school networking event designed to start conversations. We are hopeful that the connections made tonight will lead to big things for New Jersey in the months and years ahead.”
To our honorees: Congratulations once again on your well-deserved recognition. To our guests: Thank you for being part of this historic evening.
We captured many of the night’s best moments, from the award presentations to the vibrant networking in the ballroom.
Click here and here to view the photo gallery from the BINJE Power Players Reception
Click here to watch ONNJ with Lisa Marie Falbo.
Click here to view BINJE’s Best 2026 Power Players publication.
