The 6th annual Emerging Issues and Trends in Real Estate Forum was held on Thursday, October 6th, and Friday, October 7th at the University of Missouri. Each year, the Jeffrey E. Smith Institute of Real Estate hosts a real estate forum in partnership with and sponsored by JES Holdings. Nationally recognized speakers are invited to attend the annual event and deliver presentations on topics of interest to the commercial real estate industry. The Forum began on Thursday afternoon in Cornell Hall with an opening address by Missouri State Representative, John Diehl. Following the opening address, four breakout sessions were held and presented by speakers from different facets of the real estate industry. The attending students had the opportunity to attend two out of the four sessions offered.
The Forum continued on Friday, October 7th, in the Reynolds Alumni Center with presentations delivered by internationally acclaimed speakers. The keynote speaker, via live video conference, was Larry A. Silverstein, President and CEO of Silverstein Properties, Inc., as well as the developer of the $8 billion office component of the World Trade Center. Mr. Silverstein delivered an inspirational speech and answered several questions from attending students.
Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research at the National Association of Realtors, presented as the opening speaker on Friday. Dr. Yun’s presentation focused on Market Trends and Forecasting. He currently directs research activity for the national association and regularly provides commentary on real estate market trends for its 1 million Realtor members. USA Today listed him among the top 10 economic forecasters in the country in 2008.
Elliott Bross Umann, General Director and Partner at Planigrupo, one of Mexico’s largest development and leasing companies, was also an attending speaker. He delivered a presentation concerning the challenges of Developing in a Hostile Environment. In the last 7 years, he participated in the development of over 30 shopping centers anchored by HEB, Walmart, Chedraui, Home Depot, cinema and junior department store chains and over 1200 smaller retail tenants.
Click HERE for the 2011 Emerging Issues and Trends in Real Estate Forum Program.
