New Jersey Meetings + Events Magazine

Inspiration

Just Jersey is just, well, Jersey. As it sounds, this store features the finest handcrafted products from all around the state. Originally, Tina Bologna created Just Jersey as a school fundraising concept, and the idea flourished. In 2014, co-owners Tina Bologna and Paul Miller opened a pop-up shop with 35 vendors, and the store concept took flight. Now, as of their anniversary on Jan. 21, there are about 200 vendors from all over the state represented. 

Discover haute cuisine in the heart of Princeton.

Hidden Spring Lavender Farm is a hidden gem in Skillman. For owners Steve and Marie Voorhees, growing lavender started off as a passion project to brighten up their fields, but it turned into something much more. 

Six years ago, the Voorhees began growing lavender. They started with only 1,000 plants, but have now expanded to over 5,000. Three years ago, they opened the lavender shop, which became Marie’s full-time job in 2015. The experience, as she says, has been delightful and satisfying.

The Orange Squirrel takes chef Francesco Palmieri’s philosophy of serving simple, but not simplistic global comfort food using approachable, wholesome ingredients. The accessible menu features quirky, creative takes on comfort classics.

The Orange Squirrel accommodates groups with special menus customized specifically to their needs. Seated dinners are for 35-40 people, while cocktails/buffet-style events can be up to 50. 

Whether you’re bringing in lunch for the team or scheduling a lunch and learn, office catering isn’t usually something that sparks a big conversation. Grateful Bites catering, however, will inspire a conversation because this nonprofit café in Flemington has a very special story behind it. As the mother of a son with developmental disabilities, Karen Monroy knew that Zachary’s options for employment were limited once he graduated from high school. She began thinking about what kids with autism and other developmental disabilities enjoyed, and cooking came to mind.

Don’t let the dulcet tones of her Texas drawl fool you; Patty Stern is a real contender. In fact, this industry leader won Planner of the Year three times and in three locations—Texas, New York City and New Jersey. 

New Jersey Meetings + Events held its inaugural Best of New Jersey readers’ choice awards on Aug. 18, 2016. The event was held at the beautiful Boathouse at Mercer Lake. The magazine’s readers selected winners in a variety of industry-related categories and winners were announced at the event. Editor’s Picks were also selected by NJM+E Editor Nancy DePalma. All winners were profiled in the Fall 2016 issue. 

The newly opened Asbury Hotel, located in Asbury Park, N.J., is already making a name for itself as the new hotel hotspot—it was recently awarded the number one spot on USA Today’s 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards Best New Hotel in America list.

“We are thrilled to be named the best new hotel in America,” says David Bowd, Salt Hotels, part owner and operator of The Asbury. “The success just inspires us to continue to develop programming that will excite and draw visitors all year long.”

Local meeting planners and promotional companies discuss the importance of products at meetings and conferences.