IREM® Tri-State Conference & Expo 2026 Agenda
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
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2:00-5:00 p.m. | Registration & Exhibitor Setup
Exhibitors can get a jump start on the following day by registering early and getting their exhibit space set up.
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5:30-7:30 p.m. | Opening Night Cocktail Reception
Kick off the 2026 conference 32 floors above sea level with cocktails, appetizers, and panoramic views of Atlantic City. Enjoy an evening of conversation, connection, and celebration with industry professionals.
Sponsored by: Clean & Polish Building Solutions
Thursday, February 19, 2026
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7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | Registration
Visit the registration desk to check in and pick up your name badge, program, and other materials to help you make the most of the conference.
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8:00-11 a.m. | Exhibitor Set Up
If you missed the Wednesday night set up, now is the time to set up before the Expo Hall opens.
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8:00-8:45 a.m. | IREM® Awards Opening Breakfast
Kick off the morning with a breakfast buffet and a celebration of this year’s most distinguished IREM® chapters.
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8:50-9:30 a.m. | Intergenerational Discussion Panel
Panelists:
Ishea Shepherd, Vice President, AMC Delancey
Cory Sipos, Senior Acquisitions Associate, Berger Investments
Eileen Wirth, President & CEO, MEND, Inc.
Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z come together for a candid conversation on leadership, workplace culture, and innovation in property management—bridging generations to build stronger teams.
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9:45-10:30 a.m. | Three Concurrent Education Sessions
① Driving Impact: Strengthening Advocacy at the Federal and State Levels
Speaker: Ted Thurn, Senior Director of Government Affairs, IREM
This session provides participants with a comprehensive overview of advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels, highlighting key strategies for influencing policy and driving meaningful change. Attendees will explore the current legislative landscape, learn best practices for engaging policymakers, and discuss how coordinated advocacy can amplify organizational and community impact. Through practical examples and discussion, participants will leave equipped with tools to strengthen their advocacy efforts and advance their priorities effectively across government levels.
② Amenities Session
③ Beyond the Basics: Leveraging Excel for Property Analytics
Speaker: Andy Reithel, Founder & President, Konjo Consulting
Take your Excel skills to the next level with advanced tools tailored for property management. This session explores pivot tables, conditional formatting, and dashboard creation to help you visualize key metrics like occupancy, delinquencies, and maintenance trends. Learn how to transform your raw data into actionable insights that can drive better performance across your portfolio.
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10:30-10:45 a.m. | Beverage Break
In between sessions make sure to recharge with a cup of coffee, water or other beverage.
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10:45-11:30 a.m. | Three Concurrent Education Sessions
① From Firefighting to Forecasting: Shifting from Crisis to Confidence
Speaker: Ishea Shepherd, Vice President, AMC Delancey
Property management teams can easily get consumed by daily emergencies, leaving little time for planning, strategy, or growth. This session helps leaders move from reactive chaos to confident control by building forecasting habits that prevent problems before they arise. Attendees will learn how to replace constant stress with structure, empowering both managers and teams to focus on high-impact work.
Session Sponsored by: Precision Power Wash
② Building Safety and Security
Speaker: AnnMarie McMahon
From everyday risks to unexpected emergencies, this session takes a practical look at how to keep properties — and the people in them — safe. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in facility management, law enforcement, and design, AnnMarie McMahon will share real-world examples of safety and security challenges she’s encountered and the strategies that worked. Learn how to identify vulnerabilities, implement smart building modifications, and adopt operational best practices that strengthen your property’s overall security.
③ Asset Preservation - Built for Better: Strategies for Increasing Wellness and Comfort Through Asset Repositioning
Speakers: James Trynosky, Executive Vice President, and Briana Arvay, Executive Vice President, The Falcon Group
This session will explore opportunities to improve wellness in the built environment when tackling larger restoration and asset repositioning projects. Speakers will cover opportunities to improve indoor comfort, ventilation, lighting, while taking stock of available real estate and optimizing existing configurations to create inviting, attractive and accommodating spaces.
Session Sponsored By: The Falcon Group
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11:30-11:45 a.m. | Snack Break and Beverages
In between sessions make sure to recharge with a snack and a cup of coffee, water or other beverage.
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11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Three Concurrent Education Sessions
① AI in Property Management
Speaker: America Lucid, Vice President of Technology, CCI
Description Coming Soon
② Avoiding Construction Nightmares: What Every Property Manager Should Know About Contractor Disputes
Speaker: Andrew J. Podolski, Esq., Shareholder, Construction Law Group, Stark & Stark, P.C.
Mr. Podolski, an experienced construction attorney, will focus on common pitfalls in managing construction and repair projects on residential/commercial properties. Topics we will cover: understanding contract basics (scope, change orders, dispute clauses, etc.); licensing and insurance verification; documentation discipline (daily logs, correspondence, and photo evidence that can sink or save a claim); handling defective work; and dispute resolution options.
Session Sponsored by: Stark & Stark, P.C.
③ NSPIRE Updates
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12-12:30 p.m. | Lunch for Exhibitors and Sponsors in Expo
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12:30-1:30 p.m. | Networking Lunch with Exhibitors and Sponsors (Expo Hall Open)
Enjoy a networking lunch with our exhibitors and sponsors outside the Expo Hall. The Expo will be open during lunch, so head inside to start networking and find the right vendor for whatever needs your property might have. From pest control to software to pressure washing to painting, you can find the right company for the job.
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12:30-4:00 p.m. | Expo Hall Open
Expo Boardwalk Arcade Games Sponsored by: Liberty Elevator
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3:00-4:00 p.m. | Expo Hall Open with Cocktail Reception
Explore the Expo Hall, enjoy cocktails and networking, and play Exhibitor Bingo for your chance to win prizes! Don’t miss additional booth giveaways from participating exhibitors.
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4:00-6:00 p.m. | Expo Hall Teardown
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4:00-9:00 p.m. | Dinner on Your Own
Enjoy dinner at one of The Borgata’s many restaurants.
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9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. | Borgata Premier Night Club After Party
The Tri-State Conference is perhaps best known for the After Party! Come dance the night away and enjoy a night off from the responsibilities of your property management job.
Sponsored by: Roto-Rooter Services