New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

There is Still Time to Register for the 2017 Governor’s Conference on Housing & Economic Development

For Immediate Release:
September 12, 2017
Contact:
Tammori Petty
,
Emike Omogbai
(609) 292-6055

Top Industry Experts and Government Leaders in Housing, Economic Growth and Development To Attend


TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Charles A. Richman today announced that there is still time to register for the 2017 Governor’s Conference on Housing & Economic Development being held Thursday, October 5 and Friday, October 6, 2017, at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. 
 
On Thursday, October 5, the conference will kick off with a trade show and workshop sessions centered around this year’s theme, “Building Foundations to Shape Communities.” Participants can choose from 26 different educational workshops in the areas of property management programs, economic growth, housing development, community building, and serving vulnerable populations.
 
During the conference, there will be a number of planned events, including an interactive bus tour of Atlantic City where participants will view successful redevelopment and tourism investment along the Boardwalk, including the iconic and historic Boardwalk Hall, newer attractions like the Observation Wheel at Steel Pier, and meet with local development professionals.  There will also be an opportunity to visit conference exhibitors on the trade show floor, attend a networking reception, and hear from the Keynote Luncheon speaker Avi Teylas who’ll talk about creating economic opportunity through communities.
 
Avi Telyas is an American real estate developer, serial entrepreneur, and pioneer in lean manufacturing and large-scale modular construction. His passion for architecture and craft entrepreneurship has led him to found www.makerhoods.org, an organization which advocates for urban land use policies that foster self-employment and self-sufficiency through affordable working and living space.
 
“This event provides a unique opportunity to explore innovations and showcase best practices in the industries of housing and economic development throughout the state,” said Commissioner Richman. “This conference is driven by collaboration and the participants are committed to creating a powerful experience for themselves and fellow attendees. This year’s conference will provide first-hand access to industry experts and we look forward to providing an open forum to present, discuss, and evaluate current and future challenges.”
 
The conference will wrap up on Friday, October 6, with additional breakout sessions followed by brunch and the Governor’s Excellence in Housing and Economic Development Awards. During the awards, projects and professionals that are on the cutting edge of innovation in the fields of affordable housing and economic development will be recognized for their development projects in the areas of housing revitalization, supportive housing, adaptive re-use, and public-private partnership. 
 
The 2017 Governor’s Conference on Housing & Economic Development is hosted by the Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The conference is self-sustaining, funded entirely through sponsorship opportunities and registration fees.
 
For more information or to register, visit www.state.nj.us/dca/hmfa/home/conference/register.htm.