NJ IFMA Women in Facility Management Had a Blast at the NJ Hall of Fame! On March 18, NJ IFMA Women in Facility Management had an unforgettable time at the New Jersey Hall of Fame, located in the iconic American Dream Mall. A weekday visit from 4 to 6 PM turned out to be the perfect time to explore this hidden gem, and the incredibly helpful staff ensured we made the most of our experience. From the moment we arrived, we immersed ourselves in the exhibits, celebrating the remarkable achievements of New Jersey’s finest. Cindi and Lisa even got the chance to sing along with Gloria Gaynor, while the whole group took a thrilling trip as we "flew to the moon" and interviewed some of our favorite NJ heroes. Before heading out, we captured fun memories at the interactive green screen selfie station, posing with our favorite inductees and taking home a souvenir photo. After our visit, we enjoyed a delicious bite to eat and strolled through the mall’s expansion, making the most of another fantastic opportunity for casual networking and getting to know each other better. It was truly a night to remember—great company, great fun, and an inspiring tribute to the legacy of New Jersey’s legends!

On October 29, 2024, the Women in FM group were able to tour AriZona Iced Tea manufacturing operation in Keasbey, NJ.

Kevin Fischer, FMP, Facilities Operations Manager Bristol Myers Squibb

After ten years of supporting our chapter including five Executive Committees with multiple personalities, Joanne Gerow decided it was time to retire. Joanne was the friendly face at the registration table for all the meetings and events and was everyone’s go to whether it was a question on the chapter By-Laws, where to get catering for an upcoming meeting, or who took home the IFMA banner. We appreciated her input during Board Meetings. To say that we took her for granted is an understatement. We will miss you Joanne, and hope you will drop by a meeting or event as a valued guest. At the Winter Social this past December, we thanked Joanne for her years of service and several Past Presidents both in attendance and remote, expressed their appreciation to her.  Joanne has been instrumental in the transition to our new administrative support, Hassan Consultants, an association management company providing efficient and cost effective management services to trade and professional associations and societies. We are excited to work with their team and take advantage of what they can share from their experiences working with other associations. We hope that all chapter members and guests will be able to meet them over the next few months as the NJ IFMA schedule of events is growing again post COVID.

On February 7, 2024, sixteen women members of our chapter participated in a volunteer event at the Community Food Bank of NJ in Hillside.

On November 13, 2023, several women from the Chapter toured the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville. In Sanskrit, Mandir means a place where the mind becomes still and experiences inner peace. From their website, “The BAPS in Robbinsville NJ will inspire the onlookers through its divinity, architecture, and humanitarian efforts for generations to come.” This location is a masterpiece of exquisite Indian design and workmanship. The building in the photo was recently finished and dedicated this past October and is breathtaking. We arranged for a tour guide but individuals and families are not required to book their visit in advance. They have a café that is open until 8 PM with authentic cuisine. Check out their website www.baps.org/global-network/north-america/robbinsville.aspx to learn about the site and information for visiting. Thank you to Alice Acevedo for recommending we visit here, and to Lauren Tait and Cindi Vasta for the photos.

On March 2, 2023, a dozen chapter members visited the Montclair Art Museum, MAM, to view the exhibit Vanessa German, “please imagine all the things I cannot say…” The exhibit was a large-scale, immersive installation of mixed-media artworks from 2016-2022 utilizing unique and found objects.