ABC Wrap Up

Thousands of building industry professionals made their way to Atlantic City last week for the 2018 Atlantic Builders Convention, the Conference and Expo – Where Building Begins. NJBA and the ABC Committee thank all of those who were in attendance. We hope to see you again next year!

Save the date for the 70th annual ABC: April 2-4, 2019! We’re moving the whole show (exhibits and events) to Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City! Booth reservations to open in June.


~Tuesday – April 10, 2018~

Affordable Housing Panel

The 69th Annual Atlantic Builders Convention began with an update on the statewide affordable housing trials and the potentially precedent setting Mercer County decision. During the event, NJ Senator Ron Rice was presented with the 2017 Distinguished Service Award.


NJBA Annual Board of Directors Meeting
During the Annual Board Meeting, Senate President Stephen Sweeney addressed the NJBA Board and presented Immediate Past President John Kirkenir with a joint resolution from the NJ Senate and Assembly commemorating his successful term as NJBA President. NJBA presented Immediate Past President Kirkenir with a statue of Leonardo DiVinci in recognition of his polymathic approach to leadership and life.
NJBA CEO Carol Ann Short, Esq. was recognized for her work as CEO and an industry leader by Immediate Past President John Kirkenir and fellow past Presidents and Officers with the inaugural presentation of the Presidents Award.

Also honored during the Board Meeting were the annual Committee Chair Award winners:

Affordable Housing Task Force
Rick Hoff, Esq., Bisgaier Hoff
Codes Committee
Matt Kaplan, ReVireo
Ben Cohen, ReVireo
Convention Committee & Sales & Marketing Committee
Holly Kingsley, Pace
Environmental Committee
Michael Gross, Esq., Giordano, Halleran and Ciesla
Georgia Marino, Najarian Associates
Highlands Committee
Guliet Hirsch, Esq., Archer & Greiner
Legal Action Committee
Meryl A.G. Gonchar, Esq., Sills Cummis & Gross
Legislative Affairs Committee
Tom Carroll, Esq., Hill Wallack
Mixed Use Developers Affiliate
Mike Bruno, Esq., Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla
Pinelands Committee
Robert Washburn, Esq., Flaster Greenberg
NJBA introduced its newest Master Sponsor, Owens Corning. For inquiries, please contact Liang Gwee, Ph.D.
The Board was also addressed by NAHB Third Vice Chair John “Chuck” Fowke and Second Vice Chair Dean Mon.

Installation of NJBA Officers
Following the Annual NJBA Board meeting, Thomas F. Troy of Sharbell Development Corp. was installed as President of the New Jersey Builders Association. Administering the Oath of Office was Tom’s brother, Vincent Troy. President Troy stated, “It’s an honor to be chosen to serve as president of NJBA this year. In the past 31 years, I’ve seen how significant a role our industry and NJBA plays in the overall economy of New Jersey. I look forward to working with our members and staff to advance the interests of our industry and provide both jobs for our economy and quality new housing opportunities for our fellow residents.”
Installed along with Troy were the 2018-2019 NJBA Elected Officers:
– Vice President: Corey T. Wescoe, PulteGroup
– Treasurer: Michael V. Canuso, Kings Management Services LLC
– Secretary: Josh M. Mann, Esq., Iron Ore Properties LLC
– Associate Vice President: Michael T. Kurpiel, Universal Supply Company
– Second Associate Vice President: Michael A. Borodinsky, Caliber Home Loans
– Third Associate Vice Chair: Brian J. Maffia, General Plumbing Supply
– Immediate Past President: John H. Kirkenir, Alliance Homes, LLC

NJBA President’s Party

NJBA celebrated the newly installed 2018-2019 slate of Officers and welcomed President Troy to his new seat as President with a party at the Chart House and H2O. Thank you to the planning committee, sponsors and over 300 people who attended.


~Wednesday – April 11, 2018~

Exhibits and Educational Programs

300 exhibitors attended ABC to showcase the latest products and services. Thank you to all who participated. Pictured below are highlights of this year’s exhibit floor.

Exhibitor Beasley Media Group interviewed several key ABC attendees including NJBA President Tom Troy, NJBA Associate VP and Convention C0-Chair Michael Kurpiel, NJBA Immediate Past President John Kirkenir and NJBA CEO Carol Ann Short, Esq. The interviews are airing on WCTC 1450 AM.

New on the exhibit floor this year was the “superbooth” Workshop Area sponsored by Builders First Source-ProBuild which featured live product demonstrations and multiple performances from Martha King, World Champion Wood Chopper.


NJBA Master Sponsor Mixer

The Master Sponsors hosted a cocktail party for builders following the close of the show floor Wednesday at the Rock Bar. Master Sponsor Chair Steven Tripp, Esq. of Wilentz presented NJBA Past President George Vallone of Hoboken Brownstone Company with the 12th Annual Sponsors’ Choice Award.

Builders Bash at Haven

ABC attendees continued networking Wednesday evening at the Haven nightclub.


~Thursday – April 12, 2018~

NJBA Master Sponsor Breakfast
NJBA Master Sponsors hosted a breakfast reception on the third floor of the Atlantic City Convention Center Thursday morning.

Exhibitor Awards

Awards were presented to the following companies for best exhibits: 
Best of Show – Large Booth:
Schluter Systems
Best of Show – Standard Booth
Ucore Inc.

Best New Exhibitor:
ILA Lighting and Controls

Most Interactive Exhibit:
Builders First Source-ProBuild

 Sales & Marketing Awards Banquet

The grand finale of ABC was the 31st Annual SAM Awards Banquet, attended by over 450 advertising, sales, marketing, media, and home building industry professionals. Awards were presented in specialized categories recognizing industry leading sales and marketing initiatives in residential marketing, architectural design, remodeling, and individual creative achievements. Please click here to view a full list of the award winners and click here to view photos from the SAM event.

Thank you to Our Master and Patron Sposnors

Thank you to Our ABC Sponsors
1st Constitution Bank
All Points Printing
Amboy Bank
Armstrong Flooring
Builders First Source – ProBuild
City Abstract, LLC
Cram-A-Lot
D&D Construction Solutions
Doerler Landscapes Inc.
Dynamic Engineering Consultants, P.C.
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot, LLC
Feinberg & Associates, P.C.
Ferguson Enterprises
InSite Engineering, LLC
JE Painting Co. LLC
MaGrann Associates
Matrix New World Engineering
Mrs. G TV & Appliances
Norman’s Glass Co.
Nottingham Insurance
PIRHL
PS&S
Real Estate NJ
Scheideler Excavating Inc. Co.
SESI Consulting Engineers
Sharbell Development Corp.
Solterra Recycling Solutions
Sonnenfeld & Trocchia Architects, P.A.
Ted Dolci Inc.
The Thesing Companies
Tile It & More
Tyler & Carmeli, P.C.
Ulrich Builders LLC
Universal Supply Company
Van Note Harvey Associates, Inc.

Thank you to Our SAM Sponsors

SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR
Gannett NJ
Super/Event Sponsor
Caliber Home Loans
Super Sponsors
Design 446
Landsea
Lennar
The Childs Dreyfus Group
The Marketing Directors
SocialFix
Platinum Sponsors
Bank of America
Extell Development Company
K. Hovnanian Homes
NJ Advance Media
Penn Jersey Signs
PulteGroup
Roseland Residential Trust,
a Mack Cali Company
Toll Brothers, Inc.
Woodmont Properties
Diamond Sponsors
American Properties Realty, Inc.
FTA Design Studio
Kaplan Companies
PACE Advertising
Sharbell Development Corp.
Gold Sponsors
BNE Real Estate Group
Cahn Communications
Coldwell Banker New Homes
Cosmos Title
Deanna’s Interior Designs
Fernmoor Homes
Gizzi Appraisals
Minno & Wasko Architects & Planners
North American Title Agency
Prima Corp.
Spherexx.com
Sterling Properties
Studio F Design
WhiteHot Design Inc.
 
Silver Sponsors
Crown Homes
Design East
Eagle Rock Appraisals
Interstate Outdoor Advertising
Landscape Maintenance Services
Lita Dirks & Co.
MonGroup Properties, Inc.
Philadelphia Media Network
The Gourmet Vendor Inc.
Thomas J. Brennan Architects

Thank you to Our Media Partners

Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.
Construction Journal
NJ Advance Media
Real Estate NJ
Socialfix