NJCU conference draws domestic and global influencers

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International and local trade and its ties to real estate was front and center at the New Jersey City University School of Business two-day international conference.

International and local trade and its ties to real estate was front and center at the New Jersey City University School of Business two-day international conference.

Held this week at the school’s waterfront campus in Jersey City, the two-day event was hosted by NJCU’s School of Business Institute for Dispute Resolution and the city of Jersey City. Connecting Bridges and Borders in Real Estate Property Management was staged in partnership with the Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce, the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, the Peter Mangin Real Estate Institute at NJCU and Burgos University in Spain.

Keynote speakers included Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop; former New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, now a partner at Connell Foley; and New Jersey Business and Industry Association Vice President of Taxation and Economic Development Andrew Musick, among others.

“We think the Jersey City story is still in the very early stages of the renaissance story,” Fulop said. “Jersey City is going through an economic revitalization. Over the next couple of years we are looking to partner with domestic and international partners. 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.”

A recent WalletHub study named the city as the most diverse out of more than 500 cities nationwide.

Fulop noted the 18,000 units currently under construction in the city, as well as the approximately 400 businesses that have opened in the city in the last four years.

NJCU President Sue Henderson said the time was ripe for the gathering.

“We are one of the most diverse cities in the country,” Henderson said. “There are many international businesses here. This year we’re looking at real estate—it’s important for the city, state and businesses. 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. Not only are we finding that international real estate companies are coming to our city to do work, but our developers are going to other countries to do business.”

Conference coordinator and IDR Founding Director David Weiss said the institute was uniquely positioned to effectuate discussions on innovation for the state to grow business.

“One of the missions is for us to be a part of the fabric and narrative to promote business in New Jersey,” Weiss said. “If you’re talking about trade and commerce, you need to get more granular. This is policy, economics, business and law coming together. It’s local, regional and cross-border. This conference is a huge step in the right direction for our university community, Jersey City and beyond.”

The conference represented the university’s efforts to foster interdisciplinary conversations, according to NJCU School of Business Dean Bernard McSherry

“It combines theory with practice,” McSherry said. “Jersey City has been undergoing an incredible renaissance. I think what’s neglected is the fact that a global renaissance is coming to this city and I think our conference highlights that.”

For Sheinkopf, it was all about change and innovation.

“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,” he said.