New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

216 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 | 609-989-7888
2015-10-05

Business execs said "going to the beach" is their favorite summer pastime;
and their most appealing business conference destination is the Shore

Business leaders in New Jersey - presidents, CEOs and senior executives - love the Jersey Shore. That is clear according to the Baker Tilly - New Jersey Chamber of Commerce annual summer survey.

More than six in ten (64 percent) said they took overnight vacations at the Jersey Shore in the summer of 2015, and one in five (21 percent) said they spent extended vacations - two or more weeks overnight.

In fact, according to the survey, going to the beach was the business leaders' favorite summer pastime, and the race wasn't even close. More than a third of the business leaders chose the beach as their favorite summer activity. A distant second was golfing (17 percent), followed by gardening (13 percent).

For their summer survey, Baker Tilly and the N.J. Chamber suspended their traditional economy-related questions and addressed lighter, yet still compelling questions. A total of 146 New Jersey business leaders were surveyed between July 23, 2015 and Aug. 23, 2015. Most said they are presidents and CEOs, or senior level executives.

 

Even For Business Conferences, Executives Prefer the Beach

Even when asked to choose their ideal place for a business conference, the Jersey Shore was king - six in 10 New Jersey business leaders chose destinations that are at or near the beach. More than one in three (35 percent) said Atlantic City, while other respondents chose Monmouth/Ocean counties and Cape May/Wildwood.

"It's no surprise that New Jersey's business leaders love the Jersey Shore and want to take advantage of it as much as possible," said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. "This summer was especially good. Great weather and favorable gas prices kept the beaches and the restaurants hopping."

"This is important to New Jersey," said Bob Fodera, a partner at Baker Tilly. "The New Jersey tourism industry generated some $4.6 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2014, and directly supports 300,000 permanent and temporary jobs. Tourism is a critical component of the Jersey economy."

 

Restoring Atlantic City's Luster

When asked to choose ways for Atlantic City to restore its luster as an entertainment destination, nearly half (46 percent) of the business leaders said the city should help develop a theme park, and four in ten said Atlantic City entertainment venues should redouble their efforts to attract high profile musical acts in residence.

 

Top Musical Attractions

Business leaders were asked to choose among the major musical acts that played this summer in New Jersey that they would most like to see live in concert. One in five (20 percent) said they would most like to see The Who. Coming in second was Taylor Swift (16.4 percent), followed by the Dave Matthews Band (15.8 percent), Maroon 5 (15 percent) and Stevie Wonder (14.4 percent). Their favorite venue to see a live concert? The most popular answer was PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel (32 percent), while 27 percent chose the Prudential Center in Newark.

 

Best Athletic Achievement by a New Jerseyan

Last but not least, New Jersey business leaders were asked to choose their favorite athletic achievement by a New Jersey native in the summer of 2015. The favorite by a landslide (79 percent) was Carli Lloyd, of Delran, leading the U.S. Women's National Soccer team to the World Cup title by scoring three goals in the championship game.

A distant second with 12 percent of the votes was Mike Trout, of Millville, being named Most Valuable Player of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game; and coming in third with 9 percent of the votes was Todd Frazier, of Toms River, winning the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.
Complete results can be found here.


About the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization that represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues. Based in Trenton, the organization also links the state's local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network. 

NJCC 2022 Biz Summit WEB
March 14-15, 2023 | Harrah's Atlantic City

Media Contacts

Scott Goldstein
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
scott@njchamber.com
609-989-7888 x113
Cell: 609-220-0836


 Kevin Friedlander
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
kevin.friedlander@njchamber.com
Cell: 732-266-3885

2023 NJ Chamber Events

Mar 2

NJCC Small Business Series
Recruiting and Keeping Talent During Challenging Times

Where: Virtual Event
When: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Free to participate


Mar 14-15

ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo 2023
Where: Harrah's Atlantic City


Apr 26

Evening Networking Mixer

Where: ShoreTown Ballpark, Lakewood 
When: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.


Upcoming Events

Apr 12

NJCC Business Roundtable Series
Breakfast with Assemblywomen Muñoz & Swain

Where: TBD
When: noon – 2:30 p.m.


May 10

NJCC Business Roundtable Series
Lunch with State Senators Sarlo & Oroho

Where: Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton
When: noon – 2:30 p.m.


May 15

NJ Chamber Challenge Cup Golf Tournament

Where: Bedens Brook Club, Skillman
When: Registration opens at 10 a.m.


June 8

26th Annual NJ Chamber Open House and Reception

Where: The New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.


Dec 7

Annual Member Holiday Party

Where: Calandra's Italian Village, Caldwell
When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.


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