Over 700 county and business leaders from across the great State of New Jersey will join the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) at its historic 75th Annual Celebration of County Government on Wednesday 5/6 – Friday 5/8 at Caesars in Atlantic City. Don’t miss county governments’ premiere event with an action-packed agenda that features:

• Governor Mikie Sherrill to deliever the keynote remarks
• The 13th Annual County Vocational-Technical School Cook-Off Challenge
• Professional development workshops approved for continuing education credits
• The Nick Acocella County Leadership Showcase
• A New County Commissioner Orientation Program

To kick-off the celebration, NJAC is thrilled that Governor Mikie Sherrill will deliver the keynote remarks at the Association’s Board of Directors meeting on May 7th. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from the Garden State’s 57th Governor as she shares her vision with county and business leaders from all 21 counties. NJAC is also excited to announce that “Man Versus Food” star Casey Webb and the “Meat Teacher” Matt Groak will join NJAC as celebrity judges for the 13th Annual County-Vocational Technical School Cook-Off Challenge, where future chefs and restaurateurs will compete for titles in taste, creativity, and food presentation with this mouth-watering menu:

BBQ Brisket Biscuit – Bergen County Technical Schools, Paramus Campus

Crispy Chicken Sliders – Camden County Technical Schools

Cape May Clam Cake – Cape May County Technical Schools

Steak & Egg Sandwich – Essex Schools of Technology, West Caldwell Tech

Savory Macarons – Gloucester County Institute of Technology

Mini Pretzel Pork & Chive Dumpling – Hudson County Schools of Technology

Potato & Cheese Pierogies – Mercer County Technical Schools

Arepas Con Queso – Monmouth County Vocational School District

Barnegat Light Butter Poached Lobster – Ocean County Vocational-Technical School District

Crispy Saffron Arancini with Breaded Chicken – Passaic County Technical-Vocational Schools

Sweet and Smoky Duck Breast on Sourdough Cracker – Warren County Technical School

Each team will consist of 5-6 students and 2 staff members; and, must create 300 samples of appetizers at a total cost of less than $750.00. Along with our celebrity professional chef judges, convention guests will have the dining privilege of deciding the tough competition for scholarships in the People’s Choice Category of $1,250.00 for gold, $750.00 for silver, and $500.00 for bronze.

But wait, there’s more!

• In addition to sharing resources and ideas with county and business leaders, you’ll have the chance to hear from subject matter experts in three dozen professional development workshops approved for CEUs in CMFO, CCFO, CTC, CPWM, RMC, QPA, RPPO, RPPS, CE, and CLE.
• County administrators, finance officers, health officers, public information officers, IT directors, jail wardens, clerks of the board, welfare directors, surrogates, sheriffs, and county clerks will host regular business meetings throughout the event.
• NJAC President & Warren County Commissioner James R. Kern III, Camden County Commissioner Jennifer Cooley Fisher, Passaic County Commissioner Rodney De Vore, and Essex County Commissioner A’Dorian Murray Thomas will headline an all-star lineup at the “Nick Acocella County Leader Showcase” moderated by NJ 101.5’s Eric Scott.
• NJAC will honor outstanding county professionals and elected officials with service awards, the Peter Palmer Business Associate of the Year Award, the County Administrator and Board of Director Lifetime Achievement Awards, and the Maurice Fitzgibbons County Commissioner of the Year Award.

SNAPSHOT OF MAJOR EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, 5/6

• President’s Meet & Greet Reception 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, 5/7

• Conference Kick-Off Meeting 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Governor Mikie Sherrill to Deliver the Keynote Remarks 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
• Acapella Sing-Off & NJAC Foundation Awards with lunch at Noon 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• County Service Awards & Price is Right Raffle 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, 5/8

• Nick Acocella County Leadership Showcase 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
• County Vocational-Technical School Cook-Off Challenge 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
• Cook-Off Challenge Awards 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Please visit www.njac.org for the full conference schedule and registration details. NJAC is dedicated to advocating for legislation, regulations, and policy directives that empower county governments to operate more effectively and efficiently. As a non-partisan organization that represents the only true regional form of government in the State with a unified and proactive voice, NJAC is further committed to advancing innovative programs and initiatives that enhance the level of service provided and save valuable taxpayer dollars.

CONTACT: John Donnadio at (609) 394-3467 or JDonnadio@njac.org.