The final preparations are being made by the event planners for the 10th Annual Commercial Real Estate Forecast Event produced by Illinois Real Estate Journal and the Real Estate Publishing Group.
Following an hour plus for registration and networking, the Jan. 24 forecast event will kick off at 8:10 a.m. with a fireside chat between Chicago real estate legend Sam Zell, chairman of Equity Group Investments, and Debra Cafaro, chief executive officer of Ventas Inc.
During a 45-minute discussion, Zell and Cafaro are expected to cover a broad range of topics, from how the general economic, capital markets and political climates impact real estate to markets and property types Zell believes are emerging and/or returning.
“Sam Zell is one of the most colorful and sought after speakers who provides great insights into the world of commercial real estate,” said Michael Millar, the event organizer from Real Estate Communications Group. “We look forward to his perspective on the issues that will be most impactful in 2012 and beyond.”
The Annual Forecast Event is being held at the Marriott Chicago Downtown, 540 N. Michigan Ave. Registration is $99, $129 at the door, and can be completed online at www.rejournals.com/conferences or over the phone at 312-644-2804.
Among those who will be adding an industrial perspective, either on the general “state of the market” session or an industrial market breakout session include:
- Len Caldeira, SIOR, Jones Lang LaSalle;
- Steve Schnur, Duke Realty;
- Don Schoenheider, Liberty Property Trust;
- Chris Curtis, SIOR, Nugent Curtis Real Estate LLC;
- Jim Dieter, SIOR, Cushman & Wakefield;
- John Picchiotti, ProLogis;
- Steve Connolly, NAI Hiffman; and
- John Coleman, Newmark Knight Frank Epic.
Following the fireside chat and three general session panels, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions focused on market specialization. Breakouts are being held on the suburban and downtown office, industrial, investment, retail and multi-family markets. In total there will be nearly 50 industry professionals taking part as speakers or moderators of the sessions.
