New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell and state labor economist Nicol Nicola will headline the 14th Annual “MADE in NJ” Manufacturing Day on October 2, 2026, at iPlay America in Freehold. The event brings together manufacturers, business leaders, educators, legislators and industry partners from across the state, and last year's gathering pulled in more than 1,100 attendees.
The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program announced the keynote lineup on September 2, according to ROI-NJ. Caldwell, who serves as New Jersey's lieutenant governor and secretary of state, also oversees the New Jersey Business Action Center, which provides resources and support to businesses statewide. He assumed office alongside Governor Mikie Sherrill on January 20, 2026, becoming the state's fourth lieutenant governor and 35th secretary of state, according to Ballotpedia. Before entering state government, Caldwell served as the first Black president of Centenary University from 2023 to 2025.
Nicola directs the New Jersey Department of Labor's Division of Economic and Demographic Research, where she oversees a team of roughly 50 economists, analysts and survey specialists, per the U.S. Census Bureau. She earned her doctorate in business administration from Rutgers Business School in 2023. NJMEP CEO Peter Connolly said Nicola and Caldwell bring valuable perspectives to Manufacturing Day, with the event addressing the challenge of developing the workforce needed for the future, the report notes.
Data-Driven Look at NJ's Shifting Workforce
Nicola brings a data-driven perspective on New Jersey's labor market, workforce trends and changing demographics, the report notes. That focus lines up with workforce projections from the New Jersey Department of Labor, which anticipate growth in data-science roles through 2032, according to research cited by NJIT.
The stakes behind that analysis are considerable. Advanced manufacturing generates approximately $71.3 billion in annual gross domestic product in New Jersey, according to Manufacturing New Jersey. The sector employs roughly 250,000 to 256,000 workers statewide and generates manufactured goods that account for more than 65% of all commercial exports from the state, per the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.
A 30th Anniversary for NJMEP
This year's event also marks NJMEP's 30th anniversary. The organization reports it has helped Garden State manufacturers realize nearly $8 billion in economic value, according to NJMEP's own account. The organization is also using the occasion to recognize America's 250th anniversary, the report notes.
That milestone comes after a tense budget fight in Trenton. During New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 budget deliberations in mid-2025, state business organizations mobilized to preserve state funding for NJMEP after an initial spending draft proposed eliminating a $2 million state budget line item for the organization, according to the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. The episode underscored how public funding for manufacturing extension services remains an active legislative issue even as the sector marks a major anniversary.
Breakout Sessions and a Packed Speaker Roster
Beyond the keynotes, Manufacturing Day will feature Evan Weiss, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and Amy Herbold, president and CEO of Choose New Jersey, according to the report. Also slated to appear are Matt Walsh, partner and practice leader of industrial and consumer products at Withum, and Matt Coleman, Atlantic regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The day's agenda includes keynote addresses, breakout sessions, interactive exhibits, networking opportunities and the annual “MADE in NJ” Manufacturing Day Awards, per the report. Dedicated breakout sessions will cover AI and automation, along with other educational topics.
A National Movement Rooted in Local Recruitment
New Jersey's celebration is part of a much larger push. National Manufacturing Day is part of a nationwide movement.
New Jersey's own manufacturing base has been through a long transformation, with employment and the number of business establishments changing over time. Caldwell supports NJMEP and New Jersey manufacturers, and organizers say Manufacturing Day is designed to keep that momentum going by connecting the next generation of workers with the industry's future. Attendees are encouraged to register at www.njmep.org/mfgday26.
