Optimistic. That’s how to describe the panelists and guests at REjournals’ seventh annual Omaha Commercial Real Estate Summit held Nov. 15 at the Embassy Suites LaVista Omaha Hotel & Conference Center.
And this optimism shone despite the challenges facing commercial real estate today, namely rising interest rates, persistent inflation, continued supply chain disruptions and the rising prices of construction materials.
The attendees of this year’s Omaha summit said that their market is facing these challenges, just like all big cities across the United States. But Omaha is also overcoming these challenges, speakers said. The city’s industrial and multifamily sectors continue to thrive, while retailers have shown resourcefulness since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And office? Yes, that sector continues to struggle as employers debate their plans for a return to the office. But panelists said that they are convinced that better times lie ahead for this sector, too.
Speaking on the Apartment Market Update & Forecast panel were Sara McCue, Partner, Baird Holm LLP; Thomas McLeay, Founder/CEO, Clarity Real Estate Companies; John Heine, Broker, Oak Investment Real Estate; Alicia Clark, CEO/President, Seldin, LLC); Jon Blumenthal, Partner, Baird Holm, LLP; and Aaron Moser, President, Sage Capital Real Estate Investments.
The Omaha Markek Sector Update panel focused on the performance of the industrial, office, retail, finance, construction and investment sectors. Speaking on this panel were Ellie Barko, Director of Teaming Agreements and Construction Operations, Blair Freeman; Sara Hanke Associate Broker, The Lerner Company; Gordon Harnisch, Senior Vice President, Bankers Trust Company; Marc Siemers, Executive Vice President, OMNE Partners; Charles McNeil, Vice President, Principal, Colliers; and Cass Paben, Director of Real Estate & Leasing, Milan Laser Hair Removal.
The Transformation & Development of Downtown and Suburban Markets — Game Changer Projects focused on the new developments that are changing the face of Omaha. Speaking on this panel were Ted Zetzman, Executive Vice President, Noddle Companies; Peter Frei, Vice President of Investments, NewStreet Properties, LLC; Bridget Hadley, Economic Development Manager – City Planner, City of Omaha; and Mike Moylan, CEO, Shamrock Development, Inc.
Members of CREW Omaha attended the big event in force. Members of the local CREW network maintained an active presence throughout the summit.
