Robert Zuckerman, President of Downtown New Jersey, will open the conference with a year in review for the organization and downtown revitalization.

Governor Phil Murphy will provide a short pre-recorded welcome address sharing the latest about NJ’s initiatives to support small business.

Charles Marohn, Founder and President of Strong Towns, will kick off the conference with a discussion built around The Local Leader’s Toolkit: A Strong Towns Response to the Pandemic.

Our cities and towns are supposed to be places of stability and prosperity. But the way our places have grown in recent decades has made them economically fragile (and too often culturally fragile as well). With the COVID-19 crisis, we’re experiencing what happens when that fragility is tested. Local leaders are on the front lines, facing head-on the challenges of our time. They are forced to innovate with systems naturally resistant to change. And to be successful, they must lead despite the anxiety and distrust that permeates modern discourse. During his keynote address, Charles will detail the next steps local leaders must take to stabilize their communities and put them on a path to recovery.

Speaker bios>

Keynote Sponsor

Chat with exhibitors, catch up with colleagues, and discuss hot topics with your peers.

(Not registered for the conference, but still want to join the live virtual exhibit hall & networking? Pre-register or join live at www.dnjconference.com/networking.)

2020 has been a year like no other. This panel will provide attendees with high-level insight on the economic crisis and impacted sectors. Economic and industry experts will discuss how we’ve bounced back after natural disasters and economic downturns in the past, and look at the data and discuss future forecasts. Hear how this pandemic informs new strategies to build stronger, more diverse local economies to manage the impact of future disruptions.

Panelists (bios):

• Mike Berne, President, MJB Consulting
• Richard Kasmin, Chief Economist, NJEDA
• Lyneir Richardson, Executive Director, CUEED at Rutgers Business School
• William M. Rodgers III, Ph.D., Chief Economist, Heldrich Center for Workforce Development
• Moderator: Christina Fuentes, Director of Small Business Services, NJEDA

Session Sponsor

Thriving downtowns capitalize on their community assets to create intentional spaces that encourage visitors to not only shop and dine, but immerse themselves in the downtown experience. This creates a sense of place that attracts visitors, builds pride, and nurtures loyalty. Placemaking does not just happen, it is achieved through a multi-pronged approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces that is supported by substantial community collaboration. This panel brings together professionals actively engaged in placemaking who will share real life implementation strategies to take your downtown from ho-hum to wow. 

Panelists (bios):

• Suzanne Ishee, Director, NJIT Hub for Creative Placemaking
• Jaime Izurieta, Storefront Ninja, Storefront Mastery
• Isaac Kremer, Executive Director, Metuchen Downtown Association
• Moderator: Christine Newman, Director of Community Outreach and Volunteer Engagement, AARP New Jersey

This is the second of a two-part placemaking series. In October, Isaac & Jaime shared advice about innovative “Winning Winter” placemaking strategies. Exemplary placemaking projects and initiatives will be highlighted as best practices during this session, and recognized in an awards ceremony after the session.

Session Sponsor

Downtown New Jersey will recognize excellent placemaking projects and initiatives intended to help small businesses survive and thrive during the shut down and capacity limitations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Session Sponsor

Chat with exhibitors, catch up with colleagues, and discuss hot topics with your peers.

(Not registered for the conference, but still want to join the live virtual exhibit hall & networking? Pre-register or join live at www.dnjconference.com/networking.)

The pandemic has accelerated a change in the downtown retail environment which was already underway. It has also provided retailers with an opportunity to reevaluate things that aren’t working and refocus their energy particularly toward multiple revenue streams. We are now forced to ask fundamental questions: What is the role of the physical store in this new landscape? Is the typical retail footprint/streetscape relationship still valid and if so what opportunities are available for it to be enhanced? How can community engagement be maintained/enhanced? What kind of demands are expected for smaller retail footprints and can a new mix of typologies be successfully accommodated within a typical ground floor retail format? How are Landlords considering modifications to leasing practices/portfolio strategies in response?

The panel is made up from academic professionals and industry thought leaders who will bring their unique viewpoints to address these questions.

Panelists (bios):

• Harriet Harris, Dean of Architecture, Pratt
• Larisa Ortiz, Managing Director, Research + Analysis, StreetSense
• Lara Marrero, Retail Leader, Strategy Director, Principal, Gensler
• Darius Sollohub, Associate Professor, Hillier College of Arch & Design, NJIT
• Moderator: Jonathan Tyler, Senior Associate, Gensler

Join us for a virtual tour of downtown Newark culminating in a cocktail mixing class featuring local spirits. Afterward, join your colleagues for an informal happy hour and discussion about NJ’s liquor license laws. Cocktail recipe>

Tour Guide (bio):

• Emily Manz, EMI Strategy

Session Sponsor