It’s not often you can have fun, learn a lot, network, support local honorees, and extend a helping hand to the Scouts. But that is what a Building Connections event is like; it is different.
At a different venue each year, the 2025 event is happening at MetLife Stadium. It is THE ticket to get and will be the event that will be sure to have everyone leave with something to talk about.
“Over the years, the event has been hosted at various sites across northern New Jersey to highlight new or recently completed properties and iconic real estate projects,” said Rebecca Fields, Scout Executive/CEO, Scouting America, Northern New Jersey Council.
💺Experience a near-empty MetLife Stadium
🗽Panoramic views of NYC, Meadowlands, Region
🏟️Take a VIP tour of MetLife Stadium
👨👩👧👦Enjoy a Welcome reception
🎤 Learn from the Panel discussion
🍔 Nibble, nosh, imbibe
💵Networking, dealmaking, moneymaking
Building Connections will take place Sept. 10 from 4–7:30 p.m. Get tickets here before they run out.
Building Connections: Scouting, CRE, Networking, Awards
Great construction needs the foundation of strong industry and community bonds, and this event aims to combine the legacy of the Boy Scouts with the future of the construction industry in Northern New Jersey.
Building Connections aims to bring together professionals in architecture, construction, real estate, engineering and the skilled trades while supporting the scouting program’s workforce development initiatives.
“Scouting has been partnering with the real estate and construction community for decades with many professionals from these industries serving in leadership roles within the Scouting program,” said Fields.
Attendees at the event include professionals across architecture, construction, engineering, real estate, and other executives. One goal of the event is providing a unique opportunity for informal business and social interaction while supporting the Scouting program for area youth and their families, organizers have said in the past.
What’s The Buzz
Commercial and multifamily real estate markets are showing signs of a cyclical recovery in 2025. The topic being explored, “Commercial and Multifamily Market Trends: Affordable and Attainable,” will be moderated by CSG Law member Frank Giantomasi.
Some of the biggest names in real estate and construction will take the stage for a panel discussion during a networking event organized by Scouting America‘s Northern New Jersey Council.
The panelists:
◾Stephen Fluhr, senior vice president of development, URW
◾Karl Pehnke, associate principal, Langan Engineering
◾Mark Semeraro, managing and founding partner, Semeraro Law
◾ Ron Simoncini, president, Axiom Communications; vice president brokerage at JLL
◾ Roger Smith, principal and design director, Gensler
◾Tom Trautner; chair, redevelopment, land use & zoning; CSG Law
Good Scout Awards
Aside from delivering information and funding, the event recognizes three community leaders for the Good Scout Award.
“The members of the Building Connections Committee annually select individuals within the community to receive the Good Scout Award,” Fields said.
“This award recognizes outstanding leaders in the community who embody the values of service, leadership, and community impact, in alignment with the principles of Scouting America. Honorees should demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the well-being in their communities while serving as role models for youth,” she said.
Being honored:
◾Meadowlands Chamber CEO Jim Kirkos
◾2x NFL Super Bowl champ Bart Oates
◾MetLife General Counsel
Seven Years of Connections, Opportunities
The annual Building Connections Networking Reception began locally in 2019 to provide a gathering for the real estate and construction community for informal business and social interaction, while supporting the Scouting program.
Funds generated from the annual Building Connections event directly benefit local Scouting programs, with a special emphasis on exploring, she added.
“Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Businesses and community organizations initiate a career-specific Exploring post or club by matching their people and organizational resources to the career interests of youth in the community. The result is a program of interactive activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop,” Fields said
Up until February, the organization was known as the Boy Scouts of America but rebranded as a way to reflect its policy change allowing girls to join separate, gender-specific troops.
Buy Tickets for the Sept. 10 MetLife Stadium Event
To purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities, click here.
