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NJBIA this week backed a resolution this week expressing congressional support for BridgeUSA programs – formerly the Exchange Visitor J-1 Visa Program – which has been vital to New Jersey employers, as well as businesses across the nation.

The resolution was introduced by Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NJ) and Blake Moore (R-UT). The former J1 program has filled critical workforce needs in New Jersey, particularly during the Shore tourism season.

Last year, NJBIA and the New Jersey Business Coalition urged New Jersey’s congressional delegation to expand the J1 visa program amid a sharp decline in work travel visas over the past two summers due to COVID-19.

The BridgeUSA programs were created alongside the Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development during the Cold War to promote the diplomatic and foreign affairs goals of the United States, which the State Department still advances in administering BridgeUSA as federal cultural exchange programs. The programs make travel to the United States possible for a broad and diverse group of international students and young people.

A copy of the resolution can be found here.

The following organizations supported the resolution:

National Associations 

Alliance for International Exchange

American Camp Association

American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

IAAPA, The Global Association for the Attractions Industry

National Ski Areas Association

The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance

U.S. Travel Association

International Society of Hotel Associations (ISHA)

State/Regional Associations 

Garfield County Office of Tourism

Utah Tourism Industry Association

Visit Ogden

BioNJ

California Attractions and Parks Association

Cape May County Department of Tourism

Colorado Ski Country, USA

Commerce & Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ)

Destination Door County

Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority

Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority

HospitalityMaine

Idaho Ski Areas Association

Intermountain Ski Areas Association

Michigan Ski Areas Association

Midwest Ski Areas Association

Minnesota Ski Areas Association

Monmouth-Ocean Development Council

Montana Ski Areas Association

NEAAPA – The Northeast’s Entertainment Association

New Jersey Amusement Association

New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc.

New Jersey Campground & Outdoor Lodging Association

New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association

New Mexico Ski Areas Association

NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association

NJ Tourism Industry Association

NJBIA – New Jersey Business and Industry Association

Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association

Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association

Pennsylvania Amusement Parks & Attractions

Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association

Ski Areas of New York

Ski California

Ski Maine

Ski New Hampshire

Ski Utah

SNJDC

Southeast Ski Areas Association

TechUnited:NJ

Vermont Ski Areas Association

Visit South Jersey

West Virginia Ski Areas Association

Western Association of Independent Camps

Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau

Wisconsin Ski Areas Association

Chambers of Commerce 

Northern Utah Chamber Coalition

Box Elder Chamber of Commerce

Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce

Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce

Park City Chamber of Commerce

Salt Lake Chamber

Big Sky Chamber of Commerce

Cape May County Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey

Cook County (MN) Chamber of Commerce

Gardiner Chamber of Commerce & CVB

Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce

Greater Atlantic City Chamber

Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce

Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce

Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce

Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce

Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB

Meadowlands Regional Chamber & CVB

NJ State Chamber of Commerce

Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce

Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce

Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber Of Commerce

Sea Isle City Chamber / Revitalization

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce

Local Businesses Nationwide

Alpengirl camp

Astrocamp

Cali Camp

Camp Nor’wester

Camp Ocean Pines

CampGroup LLC

Canobie Lake Park

Canoe Island French Camp

Canyon Creek Summer Camp

Carmel Valley Tennis Camp

Catalina Island Camps

Cedar Fair Entertainment

Cheley Colorado Camps

Deer Crossing Camp

Four Winds Camp

Friendly Pines Camp

Knoebels Amusement Resort

Loon Reservation Service & Sales

Morey’s Piers

Mountain Camp

Mountain Camp Woodside

Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa

One Love Brewery

R.M. Pyles Boys Camp

River Way Ranch Camp

Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp, Inc.

Signature Services Corporation

Skylake Yosemite Camp

Teton Valley Ranch Camp

The Margate Resort

The Wilderness Inn

Tocaloma Day Camp

Westgate Park City Resort & Spa

BridgeUSA Program Sponsors  

A Cultural Exchange Service

Alliance Abroad Group

Alliance Strategies

American Exchange Organization, Inc

CCUSA

Center for International Career Development – CICD

CIEE

Cordell Hull Foundation

Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet)

Cultural Homestay International (CHI)

Cultural Vistas

Dynamic Global Exchange

Educational Resource Development Trust

GeoVisions

Greenheart International

InterExchange, Inc.

International Exchange of North America

International Teacher Exchange Services LLC

Intrax Inc.

NorthWest Student Exchange

United Studies, Inc

World Wide Cultural Exchange, Inc.

Institutions of Higher Education 

Weber State University

Salt Lake Community College

The University of Utah

Utah State University