For more than two centuries, innovation and creativity from New Jerseyans have transformed the world through their invaluable and unique contributions. From the inventions of tetracycline (Pfizer Corporation, 1923) and the drive-in theatre (Richard Hollingshead, 1933) to the light bulb (Thomas Edison, 1876), condensed soup (Campbell Soup, 1894), the vast body of work of Albert Einstein and the Institute for Advanced Study and the transformative innovations of Bell Labs, our State has historically been at the forefront of innovation.

Today, our state faces enormous challenges in multiple fronts:

• In 1999 New Jersey was 4th in the nation in patents. Now we are 9th while places like Washington State, Massachusetts, Michigan and Illinois have leaped ahead of us. This represents a decline of 32% in patents.
• In 1990, New Jersey accounted for 20% of the jobs in the pharmaceutical industry. Today this number is now 12%.
• A decade ago we were recognized as the center for the nation’s telecommunications industry. No more.
• From 2000 to 2009 we rank 47th in net migration (46th in the latest year-over-year period) only ahead of New York, Michigan, California and Illinois.
• We rank 45th in debt per resident.
• We are recognized as one of the worst states for businesses and entrepreneurs.
• We lead the nation in college student migration. 

For our densely populated home state to become more sustainable and viable, we will need all the creativity and innovation we can muster to create models and narratives that inspire action. To foster creativity in our schools, communities, colleges, universities, businesses and organizations, we will need sustainable systems that provide opportunities for people of all ages.

Now is the time to join forces to establish a collaborative relationship among New Jersey stakeholders. Public leaders, colleges and universities, and leaders from education, culture, business and industry must organize to promote high level discussions that focus on infusing creativity, innovation and sustainability within their constituent organizations. We must engage stakeholders in an action-oriented conversation that will yield and animate a shared vision for New Jersey that recognizes that creativity, innovation and sustainability are at the heart of economic development and must become an essential mindset for New Jerseyans if we are to succeed economically and socially in the 21st century.

Together we hope to:

• Empower all New Jerseyans to develop their capacities for creativity, innovation and sustainability.
• Support the growth of an entrepreneurial economy that will stimulate new careers, companies and industries.
• Create and sustain world-class cultural and educational opportunities.
• Promote new opportunities for creativity, innovation and sustainability at all levels – in education, in government, in the work place and in the daily lives of all New Jerseyans.