The region’s homebuilding industry took center stage this week as the Atlantic Builders Convention kicked off with its largest crowd and largest slate of exhibitors in years, drawing thousands to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City for the multiday event.
Show time: Atlantic Builders Convention set to begin with new venue, new energy as housing industry eyes tailwinds in 2024
The Atlantic Builders Convention will kick off this week at a new venue for the first time in five years, bringing a crowd of thousands to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. That comes with new excitement, but organizers say the buzz is about more than just a change of scenery. They also point to growing membership, growing engagement and a more diverse slate of exhibitors, along with signs of progress on key public policy initiatives to streamline new construction and improve housing affordability in New Jersey.
A winning team
Commercial real estate truly is a people business, which explains why our stories highlighting new hires, promotions and other personnel moves are among the most popular. We’re fortunate to see a steady diet of these updates from all corners of the industry, including the types of announcements that have come from DMR Architects just about every year since we launched Real Estate NJ — five hires here, three new additions there — all to support a growing pipeline and portfolio that includes everything from apartments and hospitals to government buildings.
Starting anew
The debate over New Jersey’s corporate incentive programs has been well-chronicled in recent years, but regardless of where you fall on the issue, there’s no denying their influence on the state’s commercial real estate market. That influence was all but gone for two years after Grow New Jersey and other subsidy programs were allowed to expire in summer 2019, with no immediate replacements in sight until Gov. Phil Murphy and lawmakers agreed on new incentives late last year. The state is now putting those offerings to work, starting with the jobs-based Emerge program that will fill the void left by Grow New Jersey.
NJBA leaders: Outlook for organization, industry strong despite challenges to housing supply
The Atlantic Builders Convention wraps up Wednesday, as the popular conference marks its return to Atlantic City after last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic. Below is part two of our conversation with Jeff Kolakowski, the CEO of the New Jersey Builders Association, and Josh Mann, the association’s board president.
