17th Global Real Estate Summit

  • May 17, 2022
  • Chicago, IL

17th Global Real Estate Summit
features all-star speaker line-up

The 17th Global Real Estate Summit included an all-star lineup of top real estate dealmakers, investors, and innovators as well as exclusive industry networking opportunities. Our speakers shared insights and analysis of the ever-changing real estate industry and ways in which the industry can refocus in the wake of the global pandemic.

In light of the unprecedented global and domestic developments, David Rubenstein, Co-Founder of Carlyle, opened the Summit with an in-depth conversation with David Axelrod, former Senior Advisor to President Obama and Founding Director of The University of Chicago Institute of Politics, covering key business and political issues that influence the global economy, the US economy and the real estate industry.

Our lunch program featured the unique perspectives of Major General Kim Crider and General James Mattis, interviewed by Judy Turchin, former COO of Equinox and Founder of JPT Partners, reflecting on the policy, leadership and diplomatic challenges dominating the news and their potential impact at home.

In addition, we were excited to announce the return of RE Live – powerful conversations that focused on critically important ESG initiatives with a panel of leading climate change and sustainability experts.

Speaker bio

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Sam Zell

Sam Zell

Chairman

Equity Group Investments

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Sam Zell is the Chairman of Equity Group Investments (EGI), the private investment firm he founded more than 40 years ago. The firm's investments span industries and continents and include interests in finance, energy, transportation, communications, health care and real estate. Mr. Zell is recognized as a founding father of today's public real estate industry after creating three of the largest REITs in history.

He is also Founder and Chairman of Equity International, a private investment firm focused on building real estate-related businesses in international emerging markets. Mr. Zell has been particularly active in bringing Equity International's companies to the public markets.

Three of these investments are listed on the New York Stock Exchange: Gafisa, a leading homebuilder in Brazil; Xinyuan, a fast-growing regional homebuilder in China; and Homex, Mexico's leading homebuilder. A fourth, BR Malls, Brazil's largest retail property owner and operator, is listed on the Bovespa.

2022 Schedule

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7:15 am – 4:00 pm CT
Summit registration
7:15 am – 8:00 am CT
Continental breakfast
8:00 am – 9:15 am CT
A Candid Conversation
Panelists: David Axelrod and David M. Rubenstein

David Axelrod is a preeminent American political strategist and commentator and the former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Axelrod currently serves as the founding director of the University of Chicago's non-partisan Institute of Politics and as a senior political commentator for CNN.  He is the host of The Axe Files, a top-rated podcast featuring in depth conversations with public figures across the political spectrum. 

David M. Rubenstein is the Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group.  He is a private equity pioneer and icon and is well-known for his patriotic philanthropy as well as his engaging interviews on Bloomberg TV and at The Economic Club of Washington, DC.

Speakers
David  Axelrod

David Axelrod

Founding Director

The University of Chicago Institute of Politics

David  M. Rubenstein

David M. Rubenstein

Co-Founder, Co-Chairman

The Carlyle Group

9:15 am – 10:30 am CT
Real Estate in a Time of Renewal and Uncertainty
Moderator: Tinchuck A. Ng
Panelists: Michael Byrne, Debra Cafaro, Christopher Merrill and Carly Tripp

As society and the global economy continue to emerge from COVID-19 restrictions and confront political instability including war in Eastern Europe, the real estate industry must contend with dramatic and unpredictable changes in business and consumer behavior.  Our panel of world-class real estate leaders will discuss how these challenges create opportunities and are affecting their decisions and prospects for the future of the industry. 

Moderator
Tinchuck A.  Ng

Tinchuck A. Ng

Co-Founder and Managing Principal

Taloquence Group

Speakers
Michael  Byrne

Michael Byrne

Chief Investment Officer
Head of Private Equity and Debt

AEW Capital Management

Debra Cafaro

Debra Cafaro

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Ventas

Christopher Merrill

Christopher Merrill

Co-Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Harrison Street

Carly Tripp

Carly Tripp

Global Chief Investment Officer and Head of Real Estate Investments

Nuveen

10:45 am – 12:00 pm CT
Innovation at the Cutting Edge in a New Real Estate Paradigm
Moderator: Mitchell Schear
Panelists: Andy Cohen, FAIA, Hailey Ghalib, Tyler Henritze and Evan Regan-Levine

More so today than ever, success in real estate investment and development requires innovative and nimble planning and action. In order to attract and retain users and sustain revenue, real estate owners must address shifting demographics and demand.  Our panel includes thought leaders in architecture, investment and development who will discuss cutting edge trends and the evolution of all asset classes, including multi-family residential, office, hospitality, entertainment and gaming.

Moderator
Mitchell Schear

Mitchell Schear

Executive Partner

Camber Creek

Speakers
Andy Cohen, FAIA

Andy Cohen, FAIA

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Gensler

Hailey Ghalib

Hailey Ghalib

Executive Managing Director, Development & Portfolio Management

USAA Real Estate

Tyler  Henritze

Tyler Henritze

Senior Managing Director

Blackstone

Evan Regan-Levine

Evan Regan-Levine

Executive Vice President

JBG SMITH

10:45 am – 12:00 pm CT
Capital Markets in Unsettled Times
Moderator: Todd S. Rich
Panelists: Anar Chudgar, Brian Kavoogian, David B. Lentz and James Reynolds

How will capital markets be affected by COVID-induced transformation and political instability? How will interest rate changes and inflation affect capital raising, underwriting and debt placement?  To what extent does US real estate remain a safe haven?  How will government infrastructure investment impact real estate? Our panel of leading capital markets players will share their insights on current risks and rewards for real estate debt and equity. 

Moderator
Todd S. Rich

Todd S. Rich

Co-Founder & Head of Real Estate

Declaration Partners

Speakers
Anar  Chudgar

Anar Chudgar

Co-President

Artemis Real Estate Partners

Brian Kavoogian

Brian Kavoogian

Managing Partner

National Development

David B. Lentz

David B. Lentz

Chief Executive Officer

Green Courte Partners, LLC

James Reynolds

James Reynolds

Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Loop Capital

12:15 pm – 2:00 pm CT
Global Update
Moderator: Judy Turchin
Panelists: Major General Kim Crider and General James Mattis

In a rapidly changing economic, political, social and diplomatic environment, real estate industry leaders are facing an increasingly long list of complex challenges. Join former U.S. Secretary of Defense General James Mattis and retired U.S. Air Force Major General Kim Crider, Senior Counselors at The Cohen Group, for a moderated discussion led by former COO of Equinox and Founder of JPT Partners, Judy Turchin, as they engage in a lively discussion about leadership and innovation in times of adversity and dynamic change.

Moderator
Judy  Turchin

Judy Turchin

Founder

JPT Partners

Speakers
Major General Kim Crider

Major General Kim Crider

Senior Counselor

The Cohen Group

General James Mattis

General James Mattis

Senior Counselor

The Cohen Group

2:15 pm – 3:30 pm CT
Redevelopment and Repositioning – Opportunities for Innovative Development
Moderator: Mary Rottler
Panelists: Keating Crown, David Reifman and Omar Thowfeek

Shifts in how the population lives, works, makes things, and buys things are driving innovation in the redevelopment and repositioning of land and buildings.  Our panel of visionary developers and investors will discuss how they have identified and pursued opportunities for innovative development that respond to these shifts and requirements with creative land assembly, new uses of spaces and technological innovation that address current needs and demands and anticipate the future.

Moderator
Mary  Rottler

Mary Rottler

Chief Operations Officer

First Washington Realty

Speakers
Keating Crown

Keating Crown

Managing Principal

Sterling Bay

David Reifman

David Reifman

President, Chicago Business Unit

Clayco

Omar Thowfeek

Omar Thowfeek

Managing Director

Hines Global Income Trust

2:15 pm – 3:30 pm CT
Let’s Make A Deal
Moderator: Jonathan H. Pearce
Panelists: Scott Goodman, Joe Gorin, Doug Lyons and Tal Peri

Capital for real estate is plentiful, but dealmakers face a variety of hurdles including a volatile business climate, inflation and interest rate increases and dramatic changes in consumer use of the built environment (see traditional retail and office!).  Which locations and asset classes provide the best opportunities?  Where is pricing of land and improvements?  What’s possible to underwrite and finance? What are the current trends in tenant demands? Our panel of accomplished dealmakers will outline how creative thinking enables them to adapt to a rapidly changing real estate environment and achieve successful deals for investors and other stakeholders. 

Moderator
Jonathan H. Pearce

Jonathan H. Pearce

Executive Vice President, Leasing & Development

Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc.

Speakers
Scott  Goodman

Scott Goodman

Principal

Farpoint Development

Joe Gorin

Joe Gorin

Head of US Real Estate Equity Acquisitions & Portfolio Management

Barings Real Estate

Doug Lyons

Doug Lyons

Managing Principal

Pearlmark

Tal  Peri

Tal Peri

Head of US East Coast & LatAm

Union Investment Real Estate GmbH

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm CT
RE Live – Climate Change, ESG, and Sustainability
Moderator: Steve Weikal
Panelists: Marna McDermott and Ben Myers

Intensifying concern about the accelerating impact of climate change, coupled with growing demands related to ESG (environmental, social, and governance criteria), is changing the way we plan for and use the built environment, and transforming the real estate industry.  Related sustainability objectives are altering end user requirements, site and building designs, energy use, underwriting, and financing, and thereby having an impact on every aspect of real estate development.  The conversation among thought leaders in this space will provide a range of perspectives on these issues and what we can expect in the short-term and long-term. 

Moderator
Steve Weikal

Steve Weikal

Industry Chair

MIT Real Estate Technology Initiative (RETi)

Speakers
Marna  McDermott

Marna McDermott

Director of Sustainability

Exelon Corporation

Ben  Myers

Ben Myers

Vice President, Sustainability

Boston Properties

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm CT
Cocktails and conversation

What past delegates say

Your team puts on an amazing event. You had great speakers and very thoughtful and engaging sessions.

Summit Attendee