MarketShift, a New Initiative to Assist Defense Contractors, Launches in May

CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J. - April 29, 2015 - PRLog -- Cedar Knolls, NJ – The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (http://www.njmep.org) (NJMEP) is partnering with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) / the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) and the Federal Government to host two executive training conferences. This new initiative program, called MarketShift (http://www.njmep.org/marketshift), was developed in response to the extension of the Budget Sequestration of 2013.

Sequestration cuts are scheduled to continue through 2021 and there is great concern over how this will affect those New Jersey companies who rely on a steady stream of defense-related contracts. The MarketShift program is specifically geared towards assisting Department of Defense (DoD) suppliers grow their revenues by diversifying their offerings and their customer bases.

The MarketShift program is intended for Presidents and CEO’s; VP’s; Directors of International Sales; Directors of Marketing and Business Development; and others in a leadership role for international sales. Individual conference seats are valued at $5,000 apiece. However, the entire cost of the program is being offset by MarketShift Scholarships, combined with NJMEP’s Defense-Contractor Discounts, which will be awarded to DoD suppliers.

The initiative launches May 20th with Destination Innovation™  Jumpstart, a conference focused on  innovation,  growth and  new-market  development. The second event, “ExporTech™ Intensive”, is a concentrated version of the US Commerce Department’s signature training program focusing on exporting and takes place June 3rd and June 4th.

About the Destination Innovation™  Jumpstart and ExporTech™ Programs

Destination Innovation™  Jumpstart is a two-day intensive seminar aimed at assisting companies looking to diversify their product line and customer base. The Jumpstart event focuses on developing a process for implementing a culture of innovative activity that can be utilized company-wide. The program will take place May 20-21 at the Enterprise Center, part of Burlington Community College, 3831 Route 38 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. A repeat seminar will be held July 22-23 in North Jersey, venue TBD.

ExporTech™ Intensive is a two-day, education and planning program designed to help

manufacturers diversify their customer base through global sales.  This program provides a unique combination of expert speakers, planning tools, individual coaching, and small group discussions that allows each company to respond to its own unique challenges.  This program is scheduled for June 3-4 at the Enterprise Center and will be offered again in North Jersey on September 23-24, venue TBD.

Both conferences will run from 8am-4pm and include a complimentary continental breakfast and buffet lunch. For more information, visit www.njmep.org/marketshift or contact the NJMEP Product Information Desk, 973- 998-9805 or info@njmep.org.

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About NJMEP

NJMEP is a member of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network. MEP is a Federal-State-industry partnership that provides small and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers with access to technologies, resources, and industry experts. To learn more about NJMEP visit NJMEP.org. (http://www.njmep.org/)

About NJIT

(NJIT) is a top-tier research university that prepares students to become leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century. NJIT's multidisciplinary curriculum and computing-intensive approach to education provide technological proficiency, business acumen and leadership skills. To learn more about NJII visit NJIT.edu. (http://www.njit.edu/)

About NJII

NJII is an NJIT corporation that applies the intellectual and technological resources of the state’s science and technology university to challenges identified by industry partners. Through its Innovation Labs (iLabs), NJII brings NJIT expertise to key economic sectors, including healthcare delivery systems, bio-pharmaceutical production, civil infrastructure, defense and homeland security, and financial services. To learn more about NJII visitNJII.com. (http://www.njii.com/)