The three-day League of Municipalities event in Atlantic City this week is expected to draw a record number of attendees — a mixture of government officials, business executives and higher education, health care and nonprofit leaders that cannot be found at any other event.

In what can only be considered a statistical surprise, they all appeared to agree on one topic on the first day/night of the event: The state of business in New Jersey is headed in the right direction.

At least that was the take of approximately three dozen randomly selected people asked to take the least scientific poll you’ll find: The BINJE big-event survey.

When asked if the state will be better, worse or the same when Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill takes office, nearly 75% said better. The remaining respondents said it would be the same. No one said the state of business is going to get worse.

All respondents were given the ability to speak anonymously for obvious reasons, starting with the fact that many would not have been allowed to comment without it.

“A lot of this is the euphoria of a new candidate,” one person said. “Whenever there is a transition, there is a hope that new ideas to solve age-old problems will be heard. That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Problems. There are a lot facing the business community. We’ll call them issues, starting with these five:

• Energy;
• Affordability;
• Economic development;
• Budget shortfalls;
• NJ Transit/transportation.

When we asked our respondents to pick one of these topics as the most important business issue facing the new governor, the responses were far from uniform.

In fact, energy, affordability, economic development and the budget all got the same number of selections (give or take a vote). Only NJ Transit, with just one vote, was out of the picture.

Does that mean Gov. Phil Murphy has fulfilled his promise to fix the embattled transit system. We’re not sure (though we did give it high marks here).

The more likely explanation: The other four choices are woven together.

“If you have economic development, that will help the budget,” one person started. “And if you can solve the energy issue — and that’s a big if — you’ll go a long way to making the state more affordable.”

Therein lies an explanation to question No. 1: There is true hope that Sherrill will be able to tackle all of these issues.

This much is clear: Sherrill already is on the clock.

“She campaigned on affordability and lowering energy costs — she needs to deliver, or it will hurt her credibility,” one person said.

And just who will she deliver for?

That was our third and final question: Which business class (small/start-ups, medium-size, large corporations) will benefit most under the new administration?

The responses here always seem to come with a comment. Small/start-ups (44%) edged medium size (36%) — but everyone seemed to be talking about the big corporations.

“Every governor says they want to help start-ups and they should – small businesses move the economy,” one person said. “But helping big business is where the money is.”

BINJE’s Best, party edition

BINJE gave out a few opening night honors for the dozen or so parties we attended:

Best atmosphere: Hispanic Chamber (at Noyes Arts Garage)

Best location: Balcony Bar in Ocean (South Jersey Chamber event)

Best food: African American Chamber – as always

Best newcomer: FDU (at Luna in Ocean). Strong debut event

Best signage: South Jersey Chamber (they make their party easy to find)