Business, Economic Development, Free News Articles, Government, Manufacturing

NJ Manufacturing Extension Program Summit Sparks Creation of Senate Manufacturing Caucus

CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J. -- New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) congratulated President of the New Jersey Senate, Steve Sweeney, today on the formation of a Senate Manufacturing Caucus that will be charged with developing legislation and other programs to make New Jersey a more competitive environment for the Garden State's 10,552 manufacturers.

The Caucus grew out of discussions between NJMEP and teammate New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA), and was highlighted at NJMEPs first ever State-of-the-State - NJ Manufacturing event that brought together New Jersey legislators and manufacturers in late March. It will be headed by Senator Bob Gordon.

"When we decided to bring together leading manufacturing businesses in New Jersey with legislators throughout the state, we were confident that it would spark discussions between the two and lead to intensified efforts just like this, to reaffirm New Jersey's leading position in the manufacturing industry and to create positive job growth for the state," said John W. Kennedy, Ph.D., NJMEP Chief Executive Officer.

"We salute Senate President Steve Sweeney for taking the lead, and we support Senator Bob Gordon as he steps into this critical role in a $45+ Billion Industry for New Jersey. Lastly it is always a plus for us to team with NJBIA, as their ability to create cooperatives of this type is unparalleled in our State," concluded Kennedy.

Sweeney made the announcement at the New Jersey Business and Industry Association's "Meet the Decision Makers" event this week.

Senator Gordon is especially well poised to chair the Caucus, not only because of his extensive legislative experience, but his experience in the manufacturing industry as well. Gordon managed a family-owned textile mill in Paterson and has a decade of experience in business strategy and process re-engineering.

About NJMEP:

NJMEP is a private, not-for-profit organization that improves the profitability and competitiveness of New Jersey's manufacturers. Backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NJMEP enables organizations to enhance their productivity and efficiencies, reduce costs and improve employee performance. For more than 20 years, NJMEP has used its extensive network of connections and proven track record of success to help manufacturers adapt to the latest innovative technologies and best practices to realize more than $3.4 billion in value and 28,000+ jobs saved and/or added since the year 2000.

Our service areas are categorized into the following three areas: Operational Excellence, Innovation and Growth Strategies, and Workforce Development.

More information: https://www.njmep.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeanine Wilson
(917) 841-8565
jwilson@wmediagroup.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Awards and Honors, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

Family Promise of Morris County Recognized with Chamber of Commerce Non-For-Profit Excellence Award

MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. -- On April 20, Family Promise of Morris County was recognized with an Innovative Program Award at the Morris County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Not-for-Profit Conference held at the Wyndham Hamilton Park in Florham Park.

Family Promise of Morris County (FPMC) is a non-profit dedicated to assisting homeless families living in Morris County, N.J. Through FPMC programs, area homeless families are given shelter and the necessary skills to improve their condition - with the ultimate goal of securing them jobs, housing and new lives.

Each year, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce Not-For-Profit Excellence awards recognize organizations and volunteers who exemplify excellence in innovation and leadership.

At this year's Chamber of Commerce ceremony, FPMC received the "Innovative Program" award (for organizations with revenue under $1 million) for its Our Promise Drop-In Center, located at 51 Washington Street in Morristown. The center provides phone and computer access, a mailing address, restrooms, warming/cooling center, information and referrals to other agencies, linkage to medical and dental services, case management, systems advocacy and more.

In accepting the award, Joann Bjornson, Executive Director of Family Promise of Morris County said, "Homelessness is a heart-breaking and devastating condition that affects individuals, families and children. The causes are wide-raging, but regardless of cause - our response to those in crisis defines us as individuals and communities. Our Promise was created to fill a gap and meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness. Most importantly, we sought to change the landscape of Morristown by increasing the access to services."

The Our Promise Drop-In Center program is based out of First Baptist Church of Morristown (51 Washington Street). It is open Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

About Family Promise of Morris County:

Family Promise of Morris County is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending the crisis of homelessness faced by Morris County families. By partnering with other public and private agencies, religious congregations and mobilizing over 1600 community volunteers, FPMC provides shelter, case management and a continuum of services leading to self-sufficiency. In 2016, FPMC had an 89 percent success rate of clients getting and maintaining housing. 93 percent of every dollar FPMC receives directly supports children and their families. FPMC is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

More information: http://www.familypromisemorris.org/.

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Business, Entertainment, Free News Articles, General Editorial

DJ SPLASH Expands to Full-Service for Weddings and Special Events

MONTVILLE, N.J. -- DJ Splash, a premier entertainment service for weddings, corporate events and private parties across the New Jersey/New York Metro area, is now offering one stop shopping for wedding and special events with new expanded services including: a full photo and video production department, event lighting crew and photo booths.

Owner Frank Romaine explains, "DJ Splash has done thousands of weddings and by expanding to a full service company we hope to broaden our base and make party planning even easier for our clients. Instead of having to run all over town, our clients can plan everything at once with us making the planning process so much easier and faster."

The lighting division has over 20 years of lighting, entertainment, and decor experience and offers the latest in LED up-lighting, monograms, draping, DJ entertainment, pinspots, dance floor lighting, and more. The team can also design any event based on customer ideas.

Likewise, the photography division specializes in the personal touch with experienced team photographers having photographed weddings for cast members of the Real House Wives of New Jersey, as well as location weddings in Italy, Switzerland, and the Bahamas.

Romaine explains, "The music we play really livens up the party and people have a great time, and the photography captures those memories forever. This team of photographers is so creative and friendly that it's a perfect fit for our DJ team. We are so happy to have these guys on board!"

DJ Splash has also extended services to include open-air or enclosed style photo booths that include fun props, HD camera, backdrop, and custom designs. With video booth, social media, #hashtag printing true booths are state-of-the-art.

DJ Splash is located in Northern N.J. and has over 20 years of experience. DJ Joey C is also available for special events.

Learn more at: http://www.djsplash.com/

CONTACT:
DJ Splash
973-722-3285, fjromaine@aol.com

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Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, Home and Garden

How the Latest Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning Scam Can Lead to Burglary, Home Invasion and Identity Theft

HAMILTON, N.J. -- Just as sure as the sunrise, it's guaranteed to happen every Spring. They promise to clean all the carpets in your house for $59. Sound too good to be true? It probably is, says the top exec at AllstateCleaning.com in Hamilton, New Jersey. To make matters worse, they finally show up - three hours late - in a beat-up pickup truck with no company name, and hop out in torn jeans and a soiled tee-shirt. Then you realize it: you've been the victim of a bait and switch campaign.

What is bait and switch? Bait and switch scams work like this: a company advertises cleaning a roomful of carpet for a ridiculously low price. When they arrive, they inform you the price they quoted is only for the traffic lanes and doesn't include any cleaning chemicals.

"That's like taking a bath with no soap," says senior textile inspector Rodney Mortillaro at AllstateCleaning.com.

So you agree to pay extra for the chemicals because you are thankful someone showed up. In the end, the final bill ends up costing you hundreds of dollars. Another typical scam is hearing that a company will clean a set amount of rooms for a very low price (like 5 rooms for $49). After they begin, you discover a linen closet, hallway, foyer, or regular closet counts as a room, and you wind up paying a lot more than you thought you would. Bait-and-switch scams are especially targeted at the elderly. Seniors are more likely to be intimidated by high pressure tactics and by someone who "promises" to give then a good deal.

The latest carpet cleaning ruse is promoted through deal-of-the-day websites. That's where you're offered 3 rooms of carpet cleaning for $50. To take advantage of this offer, you have to prepay for a non-refundable certificate that expires in 90 days. Also, the website that makes the offer IS NOT responsible for the quality of the work. Plus all sales are final. What you don't know is that most companies that do this went into business yesterday.

Then, they have to give half of the $50 or $25 to the deal-of-the-day websites. Do you really think that they can afford to clean 3 rooms of carpets in your house for $25 and still make a profit? Of course not. Most of the time, they don't even show up for appointments. If they do show up, then they'll tell you that you're going to get a quick dash and splash job that just uses water.

If you want a better job, you'll have to fork up more money for them to use a cleaning chemical. Or they get so many calls, they'll book you out three months in advance and then the certificate expires. If they do show up, the job won't be guaranteed. If you complain about them to the Better Business Bureau, , Yelp or Google+, that's OK. They'll be in business tomorrow under another name as quick as you can change your socks. Then they'll do it all over again.

One reason why they may clean for such a low price is the cleaners might be gang members or illegal aliens with criminal records. Entering your home allows them to "case" your home to plan a future burglary or home invasion. Also, they may sell your credit card information to an identity theft ring.

So how can you avoid a becoming a crime victim or being scammed by a bait and switch carpet cleaner? The best protection against bait and switch is to ask some pointed questions before the cleaner arrives at your home. Call several local cleaning companies. If the company cannot answer simple questions, move on to another company. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Here are 9 questions you should ask:

1. Are you certified in carpet cleaning? If not, what type of formal training do you have?
2. How many years has your company been in business? (The longer, the better.)
3. Can you provide a link to consumer online reviews or references I can call?
4. Is your company drug, alcohol and criminal free? (Companies that don't screen their employees can put you and your loved ones at risk. To be on the safe side, DO NOT deal with companies or cleaners who don't pre-screen and drug test their employees and who are not bonded.)
5. Can you provide proof of insurance and a business license?
6. What steps will be included in your cleaning process?
7. How long will it take for the carpet to dry?
8. Do you offer free, no-obligation, on-site written quotations? Do you offer a written, satisfaction or money back guarantee?
9. Can you verify that your cleaning solutions are safe for my family and my pets?

"When you have decided on a cleaner, make sure you pay your bill with a major credit card. Sometimes it's difficult getting a cleaner to come back to fix a problem after you've paid the bill. Paying by credit card will give you an option to dispute the bill if the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction," says Mortillaro.

About AllstateCleaning.com:
Based in Hamilton, N.J., AllstateCleaning.com is Central Jersey's leading certified organic carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, drapery cleaning and floor cleaning company. The firm is a family-owned, criminal-, drug- and alcohol-free organization. The company is a member of the Institute Of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification, the International Cleaning Restoration Association and the Carpet & Rug Institute's green seal of approval program. Over the last three decades, almost every major carpet mill, hard flooring manufacturer, and nationally recognized concerns across the nation has engaged its services. They have an IICRC Certified Master Restorer and Senior Textile Flooring Inspector on staff and offer certified textile and flooring inspections, lab analysis and court testimony.

More information: http://allstatecleaning.com/.

*PHOTO Caption: "Nightmare carpet cleaner."

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Business, Free News Articles, Insurance

The Capacity Group – an EPIC Company adds Jeanne Braun as President of Health Care Strategy Group

MAHWAH, N.J. -- Capacity Group of NY LLC (CGNY), a division of The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company and a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefit consultant, announced today that Jeanne Braun has joined the firm as president of CGNY's newly established Health Care Strategy Group.

Braun will be responsible for new business development, program design and management and coverage placement. She will oversee CGNY's delivery of products, services and solutions to clients in the healthcare industry, in collaboration with EPIC teams serving healthcare professionals across the nation. Braun will report to Rob Salem, President of CGNY.

With a career spanning more than 25 years working in the medical professional liability sector, Braun has an extensive background in healthcare, both as a hospital administrator and an Executive Vice President of a medical professional liability insurance company where she developed specialty programs for hospitals, medical facilities and large doctor groups.

Said Braun, "As a part of EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, The Capacity Group - already one of the largest privately-held insurance brokers in the country - now has access to the broad resources and global reach of a Top 20 U.S. retail insurance broker. Our combined organizations share similar beliefs and values, and understand the importance of comprehensive risk management support and client service excellence, particularly in view of the many changes continuing to impact the health care industry. This is an exciting time to be EPIC."

Jeanne Braun can be reached at:
Capacity Group of NY
jbraun@braunstrategies.com
516-277-8368

About The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company:

The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company offers an expansive range of standard and customized insurance and financial products, while providing superior customer service for all types of businesses, industries, and individuals. It has a diversified insurance distribution and product platform in Retail, Wholesale and Specialty Program business, as well as all types of personal, commercial, specialty and benefits lines of business.

Headquartered in Mahwah, N.J. the firm has grown organically and through a series of acquisitions and strategic partnerships to become one of the 100 largest insurance brokerage firms in the U.S. It is currently ranked number 39 by Business Insurance magazine, and is among the Top 25 privately held brokerage firms in the U.S. according to Insurance Journal Magazine. For additional information, please visit https://capcoverage.com/.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions across California and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,100 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With roughly $280 million in run rate revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650-295-4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
408-295-4309 x104
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/14-0417s2p-Jeanne-Braun-300dpi.jpg

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Free News Articles, General Editorial, NonProfit and Charities

Thirty-Four U.S. State Proclamations Raise Awareness of Mysterious Childhood Deaths

CEDAR GROVE, N.J. -- The emotional trauma associated with losing a child is overwhelming. But when that loss is combined with a total lack of explanation, grief can become far more complicated, says the SUDC Foundation. Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is the sudden unexplained death of a child over the age of one which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation is conducted.

It is not a diagnosis but a category of death that eludes our scientific understanding today. In 2015, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 393 children between the ages of 1 and 19 years died without a clear explanation for their death. The majority of SUDC deaths affect children aged 1-4 years.

"It is a frightening statistic, especially since SUDC often occurs in otherwise healthy children during sleep-time," explained Laura Crandall, co-founder and President of the SUDC Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing awareness, funding crucial research and the prevention of SUDC.

The Foundation is the only organization worldwide devoted solely to the needs of families and professionals affected by childhood sudden death.

When Devon and Georgia Boswell lost their precious son Drew on March 12, 2014, at the age of 15 months, they were devastated. "When we lost Drew, we felt all our dreams for the future slip through our fingers. How could our healthy 15 month-old, simply not wake up," a question Georgia Boswell still asks today.

Their friend, Christina Grantham, was also shocked by the inexplicable death of little Drew. She joined forces with the SUDC Foundation to improve the country's awareness of this little known tragedy. In 2016, she spearheaded the first nationwide awareness campaign in the U.S. to proclaim SUDC Awareness month to educate the public and raise funds for crucial research. Twenty-six U.S. states signed on.

"It has been an honor to work with Christina Grantham - a tireless volunteer in the fight to understand and prevent SUDC. Her dedication is not only a reflection of her love for Drew, but also her love for all children," states Lorri Caffrey, Co-founder of the SUDC Foundation.

In 2017, with the coordinated efforts of Christina and bereaved parents across the U.S., the campaign continues to grow. To date, thirty-four U.S. State Legislatures have issued proclamations that March 2017 is SUDC Awareness Month.

"Awareness is a catalyst that can allow the SUDC Foundation to reach more families and help achieve the end goal of a world without sudden unexplained death in childhood. As Drew's Mother, I could not be prouder that his short life and the passion of Christina Grantham, and so many others, have led to success of SUDC awareness month. This initiative is not just for Drew, it is for all SUDC children. Their legacies continue to bring out the best in people each and every day," says Georgia Boswell.

For more information and to view all of the SUDC US State proclamations visit the SUDC Foundation Website at: https://sudc.org/.

About the SUDC Foundation:

The SUDC Foundation is devoted solely to the needs of professionals and families touched by the unexpected death of a child aged 12 months or older. Since its inception, the non-profit Foundation has funded crucial research, helped hundreds of families in over 16 countries, and led many advocacy efforts, including the successful passage of the Sudden Unexpected Death Data Enhancement and Awareness Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in December 2014. For more information, visit https://sudc.org/ and follow us on Twitter @SUDC.

Video (Vimeo), "Explaining the Unexplained":
https://vimeo.com/196286865

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Awards and Honors, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Regional Events

Family Promise of Morris County Recognizes Volunteer with Community Impact Award

MORRIS COUNTY, N.J., -- Family Promise of Morris County announced today that it will be recognizing volunteers and community service at its annual Evening of Promise event on March 30 at the Meadow Wood Manor in Randolph, N.J. Special honors this year will go to Community Impact Award winner, Becky Pruitt, who serves as Congregation Coordinator for Ledgewood Baptist Church.

The Evening of Promise Event March 30, is sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, Florham Park.

The job requires an extraordinary volunteer commitment to plan all church activities related to hosting Family Promise families, including meals and overnight stays. Her tireless commitment to helping others serves as the centerpiece of this recognition.

"The criteria for being a recipient of this award is three-fold: the impact to Family Promise and those we serve, the ability to help us advance our mission beyond our agency to help people in our community transition to self-sufficiency and finally financial support of our programs and services," said Joann Bjornson, Executive Director of Family Promise of Morris County.

In addition to her work at the church, Becky and her husband Sam have provided countless discounts and free services to help FPMC clients get their donated and late model cars in safe operating condition to support transportation needs, through their family business, Sam's Automotive Repair. Sam's Automotive is a trusted institution in the Morristown area with the family setting the standard of service and integrity. They have provided services to keep the FPMC agency vehicles running in top condition as well.

About Family Promise of Morris County:

Family Promise of Morris County (FPMC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending the crisis of homelessness faced by Morris County families. By partnering with other public and private agencies, religious congregations and mobilizing over 1,600 community volunteers, FPMC provides shelter, case management and a continuum of services leading to self-sufficiency. In 2016, FPMC had an 89 percent success rate of clients getting and maintaining housing. 93 percent of every dollar FPMC receives directly supports children and their families. FPMC is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More information: http://www.familypromisemorris.org/.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP:

Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GTLaw) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. One firm worldwide, GTLaw has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the second largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2016, and among the Top 20 on the 2016 Am Law Global 100. Web: www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeanine Wilson
jwilson@wmediagroup.com
917-841-8565

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Education and Schools, Entertainment, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

Bergen County’s Nunnbetter Dance Theatre Advances to The Youth America Grand Prix Dance Finals in NYC

BERGENFIELD, N.J. -- Nunnbetter Dance Theatre (NDT), one of Bergen County, New Jersey's premier dance schools, is proud to announce that all three ensemble pieces entered into the Youth America Grand Prix competition earlier this year were awarded a spot in the NYC Finals taking place April 8 and 9, 2017 in New York City.

It is an honor for any dance studio to have one piece make it through to the finals, but an absolutely amazing achievement that the NDT dancers will have the chance to compete with all three of the beautifully choreographed pieces! Awarded a spot in the finals are a classical piece (from Haydn), a contemporary piece (entitled Sand), and a high spirited boys' contemporary piece (from Broadway's "Five Guys Named Moe").

"Everyone at NDT is beyond proud of all of our dancers for this incredible accomplishment," said Ernie Prinz, NDT Company Director. "The dedication and work that the NDT dancers, teachers, and choreographers have put into creating and perfecting these pieces is truly wonderful."

Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) is the world's largest global network of dance. By the time the YAGP finalists arrive in NYC for the April finals, there will have been preliminary competitions in over two dozen cities worldwide featuring thousands of dance pieces. To date, over 50,000 dancers have participated in YAGP's workshops, scholarship auditions and master classes worldwide.

In addition to the accolades the NDT ensemble pieces received at the regional YAGP competition, three NDT dancers who entered as soloists in the competition were recognized with scholarships and other awards. Erin Aslami, a native of Tenafly, placed in the top 12 in both the Senior Classical Soloist and Senior Contemporary Soloist categories and was offered a scholarship to the UNCSA summer program with an invitation to the UNCSA undergraduate program. Cecilia Hernandez placed in the top 12 in the Junior Classical Soloist division and Lillian Smith was invited to the NCSA Summer and Full Year program. Both young women are residents of Teaneck.

NDT is proud of the students who have worked so hard in their classes and the accomplished teachers who have helped shape these beautiful young dancers.

Be Part of This Special Company:
Classes for the 2016/2017 school year continue at Nunnbetter Dance Theatre. NDT also offers an exciting and fun dance intensive summer camp for students ages 7 and up.

Information on NDT Dance Camp 2017 can be found at http://nunnbetterdance.com/camp/ or by calling 201-385-9638.

Class schedule and registration for the 2017/2018 school year will be available soon.

About Nunnbetter Dance Theatre (NDT):
Nunnbetter Dance Theatre (NDT), located in Bergenfield, N.J. has been teaching and shaping young dancers since 1997. NDT is known for excellence in dance instruction, emphasizing proper technique and strong fundamentals which in turn has helped many of its students grow into beautiful and professional dancers.

Nunnbetter Dance Theatre boasts an impressive list of alumni, including members of the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, The Washington Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, and Tulsa Ballet to name a few.

While Nunnbetter is known for excellence in ballet, the school also provides professional dance training in many other dance disciplines including Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Cotemporary, Modern, and Theater Dance. Current and former students have been seen on Broadway in "Once," "Matilda," "The Lion King," "The King and I," "School of Rock," and in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

For information regarding classes and camps, visit http://nunnbetterdance.com/ or call 201-385-9638.

Follow on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Nunnbetter-Dance-Theatre-110850372270897/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kimberly Galberaith
Tel. 917-514-3600
Email: Kim@NunnbetterDance.com

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0323s2p-Aslami-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: NDT dancer, Erin Aslami.

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Economic Development, Free News Articles, Manufacturing, Regional Events

New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program to Hold First Annual State-of-the-State N.J. Manufacturing Event

CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J. -- New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) announced today that it is holding the first annual N.J. State-of-the-State Manufacturing event to be attended by New Jersey's leading manufacturing business executives and elected state officials. The N.J. State-of-the-State Manufacturing Event will be held in two locations: in Trenton on Wednesday, March 29 and then again in Florham Park on Friday, March 31, 2017.

Through a series of formal presentations and informal networking opportunities, the goal of the event is to initiate and sustain a positive communication flow between New Jersey's manufacturing leaders and the state officials they rely on to promote and protect this critical economic sector.

For the event, NJMEP has partnered with New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC). The event brings together senior manufacturing executives that are interested in learning more about the opportunities and challenges that their business sector face. In addition, industry experts will discuss Workforce Development, Taxation & Fees and the latest in Environment/Energy. State elected officials will also be present to better understand how to keep the manufacturing industry thriving in New Jersey.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity for New Jersey manufacturers," said NJMEP Chief Executive Officer, John W. Kennedy, Ph.D. "We are providing access to industry experts from multiple disciplines to help grow our manufacturing sector through their insight."

This event is the first of its kind in New Jersey. "It will bring together some of the top talent and expertise in the state," John W. Kennedy continued. "I urge senior level manufacturing executives will register for the event at njmep.org."

Wednesday, March 29, 2017:
New Jersey State Museum Auditorium
205 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 80608
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast.

Friday, March 31, 2017:
Park Avenue Club
184 Park Avenue
Florham Park, NJ 07932
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast.

For more information about the NJ State-of-the-State Manufacturing Event and to sign-up please visit:
http://www.njmep.org/.

About NJMEP:
NJMEP is a private, not-for-profit organization that improves the profitability and competitiveness of New Jersey's manufacturers. Backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NJMEP enables organizations to enhance their productivity and efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve employee performance. For more than 20 years, NJMEP has used its extensive network of connections and proven track record of success to help manufacturers adapt to the latest innovative technologies and best practices to realize more than $3.4 billion in value. Our services are categorized into the following three areas: Operational Excellence, Innovation and Growth Strategies, and Workforce Development.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jeanine Wilson
W Media Group
jwilson@wmediagroup.com
917-841-8565

Lynn Munroe
Maracaibo Media Group
lynn@maracaibomedia.com
845-548-1211

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles, Insurance

Northeast’s Largest Independent Insurance Broker The Capacity Group Joins EPIC

MAHWAH, N.J. -- The Capacity Group of Companies and EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that they have joined forces.

Established in 1990, The Capacity Group has grown to become one of the largest full-service independent insurance brokerage groups in the nation. Operating multiple brands from 15 locations across the country, The Capacity Group has assembled some of the world's top-rated providers of specialty insurance and financial services solutions. Today, they are a nationally recognized industry leader and one of the nation's fastest-growing full-service insurance brokerage groups.

EPIC, founded in 2007, is already one of the 20 largest U.S. retail insurance brokers and ranks #26 among the top commercial insurance broker/consultants globally, with a belief in and reputation for service excellence, innovation, community, collaboration and having fun - all in the interest of being a "people first" (clients and team members) organization.

"The Capacity Group has been delivering strategic guidance and service around the risk management, insurance and benefit consulting needs of our clients for more than 25 years," said The Capacity Group's President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Lull. "We believe the decision to join EPIC will help us deliver an even broader and deeper set of capabilities and added value to our clients, with the same commitment to service delivery excellence that has always been a hallmark of our firm. We are thrilled to join forces with a unique and successful company like EPIC."

As part of EPIC, the firm will now operate as The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company, and the Capacity Group's leadership team will continue to play vital roles within the larger EPIC organization.

Said EPIC CEO, John Hahn, "We found a strong cultural partner in The Capacity Group, in an important and highly desirable region where we have wanted to be an even larger partner in the community and see strong opportunities for growth. The Capacity Group, under the leadership of their executive team alongside their impressive team of owner-operators, will add significant value to our clients across the country and create further opportunities for our employees' long-term growth and career success."

EPIC Northeast Region President Thomas O'Neil added, "In addition to the integration and expansion of our respective capabilities, The Capacity Group provides a strong platform in the Northeast to extend our risk management, property casualty insurance, employee benefits consulting, program solutions and private client services to companies across the region and nationally."

The addition of The Capacity Group significantly expands EPIC's capabilities, adding more than 280 top professionals in an additional 15 locations and a strong client base centered in the Northeast.

About The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company:
The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company offers an expansive range of standard and customized insurance and financial products, while providing superior customer service for all types of businesses, industries, and individuals. It has a diversified insurance distribution and product platform in Retail, Wholesale and Specialty Program business, as well as all types of personal, commercial, specialty and benefits lines of business. Headquartered in Mahwah, N.J. the firm has grown organically and through a series of acquisitions and strategic partnerships to become one of the 100 largest insurance brokerage firms in the U.S. It is currently ranked number 39 by Business Insurance magazine, and is among the Top 25 privately held brokerage firms in the U.S. according to Insurance Journal Magazine. For additional information, please visit https://capcoverage.com/

About EPIC:
EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions across California and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,000 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With more than $250 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650.295.4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
408.295.4309 x104
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

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