There is a certain buzz that hits the commercial real estate industry and Real Estate Publishing group about this time of year. That buzz, which starts when everyone returns after the holidays, typically is generated by the Annual Commercial Real Estate Forecast Conference (this year on Wednesday, January 20 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago). Quite often the buzz is centered on the keynote speaker.
Four years ago, when the One—2—One Conversation was first launched as a means for kicking off the conference, it was Sam Zell being interviewed Debra Cafaro. Everyone wanted to hear what Zell had to say as the recovery was just getting going. Standing. Room. Only.
Zell and Cafaro were followed by Chris Kennedy, always an engaging speaker, and the quite but powerful Deputy Mayor Koch in 2013 and 2014, respectfully. Last year, Howard Tullman helped the hype behind the Teching of Chicago!
This year’s speaker is generating a whole new level of buzz. It’s Governor Bruce Rauner being interviewed by real estate industry veteran and Colliers’ Chairman, David Kahnweiler. It’s a look at the first year, the agenda for the next three and the State’s Chief Executive Officer talking about what’s going well and how the State can generate momentum. What a great time for an interview with Governor Rauner.
With the real estate markets generally viewed as healthy and still having runway left, there is more than enough buzz left to trickle down from the One—2—One Conversation to the other two general session offices, a State of the Market Panel and a discussion focused on The Great Urban Migration.
Yes, with about one week until “Showtime”, it’s all about the buzz and the bold names—this year’s class of speakers who will bring the insights and perspectives to the dais for the general sessions and a series of breakouts covering most of the major product specialty areas.
And now for the bold names, because everyone in real estate likes to see their names in bold print, associated with the announcement of a completed transaction, a promotion or a speaking engagement that underscores their expertise.
Deena Zimmerman, SVN; Danny Nikitas, Avison Young; Dave Burden, Colliers; Andy Hochberg, Next Realty; Tony Pricco, Bridge Development; John Przybyla, Marcus & Millichap; Collete English-Dixon, Prudential Real Estate Investors; Paul Heinen, Vornado Realty Trust; Drew Nieman, CBRE; Dave Trumpy, GlenStar; Bob Chodos, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank; Michael Drew, Structured Development; George Ratiu, National Association of REALTORS; Matt Carolan, JLL; Jim Hochman, Arnstein & Lehr; Robert Palffy, Steinco Inc.; Bob Six, Zeller Realty Group; Roger Heerema, Wright Heerema Architects; Robert Sevim, Savills Studley; Eric Myers, Avison Young; Adam Roth, NAI Hiffman; Matt Goode, Venture One Real Estate; Neal Driscoll, Liberty Property Trust; Ryan O’Leary, DUKE Realty; Brian Quigley, Conor Commercial Real Estate; Karl Heitman, Heitman Architects; Joe Parrott, CBRE; Gregory Kirsch, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank; Anthony Campagni, RKF; Daniel Rosenberg, Cohen Financial; Charley Margosian, III, Highland Management; Paul Tsakiris, First Western; Don Shapiro, Foresite Realty; Marc Boorstein, MJ Partners Real Estate Services; Matt Robertson, MB Financial; Steven Weinstock, Marcus & Millichap; Laura Auwerda, PNC Bank; Alissa Adler, Podolsky|Circle; Joe Smazal, Interra Realty; Stephen Rachman, Marcus & Millichap; Michael Daniels, Cagan Management Group; Patrick Tuohy, Marquette Bank; Joffre Colbert, @properties; and Tim Anderson, Focus Development.
That’s quite the list of bold names! And the names of sponsors of the 14th Annual event is even more impressive.
The largest, longest-running commercial real estate of its kind in Chicago and the Midwest, and perhaps anywhere else in the US, is just one week away. Hear the buzz. See the names in bold. Register for the event today ($109) by going to www.rejournals.com/conferences.