The New Jersey University School of Business campus at Harborside Plaza 2 in Jersey City — Courtesy: NJCU
(Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information about newly added speakers to the program — former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno of Connell Foley and Andrew Musick of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.)
By Joshua Burd
An upcoming conference in Jersey City will shine a light on property management, with a focus on promoting international business and sharing best practices from around the world.
Known as “Connecting Bridges and Borders in Real Estate Property Management,” the program will take place from May 8 to May 9 at the New Jersey City University School of Business campus at Harborside Plaza 2, located at 200 Hudson St. The business school’s Institute for Dispute Resolution will host the event in partnership with the city of Jersey City.
In doing so, they will seek to promote international business by focusing on commercial property management practices around the world and cross-border common topics that those in property management should consider for next-generation sustainability, NJCU said in a news release. They also hope to convene stakeholders from New Jersey and the New York-metro area, as well as from overseas, to initiate new discussion on how real estate provides a nexus with local trade.
The keynote speaker on Tuesday, May 8, will be Hank Sheinkopf, president of Sheinkopf Communications Ltd., who has worked on more than 700 political campaigns in the United States and around the world, the news release said. On Wednesday, May 9, the keynote speaker will be Jeevan D’Mello, the former property manager of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest megatall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who is recognized as a pioneer of community management in the Middle East.
NJCU also announced that former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, now a partner at Connell Foley, will speak at 1 p.m. May 8 on advancing New Jersey’s international presence in cross-border business. Andrew Musick, vice president for taxation and economic development, New Jersey Business & Industry Association, will deliver opening remarks on promoting business growth for New Jersey earlier in the day at 9:30 a.m.
“We are excited to have NJCU host this international program,” NJCU President Sue Henderson said. “Through our Institute for Dispute Resolution, NJCU is a connector that is bringing the real estate community together to consider global issues that will ultimately promote trade and commerce for Jersey City and the State.”
Speakers will share thoughts on the ways in which cities evolve in the 21st century based on advancing ideas around real estate concepts in an international context. Presenters, including some from Europe and the Middle East, will complement those from the U.S. in sharing insights around the theme of good property management practices that transcend borders.
They will also discuss the role of risk and conflict and address policy trends that drive property management’s operational and strategic decisions, NJCU said. Capital markets, trade and industry representatives will participate to foster regional and cross-border business opportunities.
“NJCU’s Institute for Dispute Resolution is uniquely positioned to effectuate the discussion on innovation for our State to grow business,” said David Weiss, coordinator of the two-day conference and founding director of the Institute for Dispute Resolution. “This conference is a huge step in the right direction for our University community, Jersey City and beyond.”
Other partners in the program include the Institute of Real Estate Management, the Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce, the Jersey City Economic Development Corp., NJCU’s Peter Mangin Real Estate Institute and Burgos University, Spain.
“Jersey City has become a major force in the region, leading job growth and construction starts, as well as holding the title of most diverse City in the nation,” Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said. “This is the perfect location for a conference that brings together industry leaders and innovative ideas that will help us continue to build a truly international city with a strong local economy and an impactful global reach.”
Prospective attendees can visit http://njcu.edu/realestateconference2018 for a complete conference program.
“This conference is about change and innovation for global trade and commerce,” said Sheinkopf, one of the two keynote speakers. “Economics is the new diplomacy and thought leadership events applying cross-border themes such as real estate management help shape 21st-century cities into international stakeholders for business and commerce as Jersey City has become.”
Donald Wilkerson, president of the Institute of Real Estate Management, added: “As an organization that has a laser-like focus on property management as a professional service and the value that it brings to real estate investments, IREM is proud to be a sponsor of this event and eager to engage in exchanges with like-minded professionals from around the world.”
