NJBIZ Conversations

Following a successful introduction last year, the 2nd Annual Newark Summit for Real Estate, Economic Development & Placemaking made its return to New Jersey’s largest city.
Presented by roundtable&advisory, the event featured a full day of networking, panel discussions and exhibitors. NJBIZ sat down with several notable attendees, who shared their thoughts on the Summit as well as their insights on the industry.

Mayor Ras Baraka was on hand for the second annual Newark Summit for Real Estate. For two years running, the Brick City’s chief executive took to the stage to discuss development in the city during a fireside chat. Baraka – also a 2025 gubernatorial candidate – stopped by to chat with NJBIZ about the summit, what it means for the city and more.

Most businesses still manually key in invoices and automation remains relatively rare. Jeff Weinstein, CEO of Hamilton-based TranscendAP, wants to change that. 
In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Weinstein describes TranscendAP's platform, how the company uses artificial intelligence in its application and its move to work more closely with higher education institutions. 

When last we checked in on Cranford-based National Tree, the company was grappling with post-pandemic fallout. So how are things going this year, with many experts expecting a record year for holiday sales? In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Chris Butler – the CEO of the nation's largest importer and wholesaler of artificial Christmas trees and other holiday decorations – returns to provide an update on where the company is now. Have demand and customers returned?

Adam Perle, the president and CEO of ArtPride New Jersey, explains how the arts fit into the broader economy and how the arts community works together.

It's been a decade of profound changes and challenges for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. In this episode of NJBIZ Conversations, Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the NJBIA, reflects on her 10 years leading the organization, the biggest challenges her members face right now and what her priorities are for the future.

Life sciences trade association BioNJ represents more than 400 research-based life sciences organizations across New Jersey, from startups to big biopharmaceutical companies. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart assesses the state of the industry; explains the importance of projects such as HELIX, HAX and SciTech Scity; and some of the tests the industry will likely face over the next 12 to 18 months.

While New Jerseyans are rightfully proud of their state's education system – which is regularly cited as an asset in attracting businesses and economic development – good schools should not be taken for granted. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Tahina Perez, the executive director of Teach for America New Jersey, discusses how the organization works to improve educational equity, the central importance of communities to successful schools and what businesses can and should do to help maintain a quality system.

The accounting profession has been undergoing significant changes over the past several years. Consolidation is thinning the ranks of medium-sized firms. Technology is altering the way accounting is practiced and the ways in which CPA firms are run. And the pipeline of new accountants is running perilously low. In this episode of NJBIZ Conversations, Aiysha Johnson, the CEO and executive director of New Jersey Society of CPAs, provides updates on the issues NJCPA is tackling, especially consolidation, technology and recruitment and retention.

Any regular grocery shopper has almost certainly seen Upfield's products on store shelves. Famous names under the Dutch food producer's umbrella include I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and Country Crock. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Upfield President Jim Breach discusses the company's commitment to sustainability, its latest efforts on research and distribution and what happens at its Hackensack test kitchen.