Graaskamp Center Spring Board Conference 2018

Spring 2018 Board Conference: Still Strong, but for How Long?

April 19-20, 2018 | The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, IL

Real estate cycles are said to die of old age, yet this cycle, now over 9 years running, is the real estate version of the movie Cocoon. U.S. GDP growth is likely to remain at 3% in 2018, unemployment at 4.1% is the lowest in 17 years, and the 2018 S&P 500 earnings per share forecast is for a 30% year-over-year increase. Indeed, at outgoing Fed Chairman Janet Yellen's last press conference she remarked, “I have never seen an economy as strong as this one.” 

While no one is predicting our current real estate bull market will run forever, less are predicting it will end any time soon. The world economy seems in fine shape, buoyed by a synchronized acceleration of economic growth in the U.S., Europe and Asia. And in late 2017, for good measure, the U.S. enacted a historic tax cut, adding fiscal fuel to an already strong economy. Real estate fundamentals, as well as its historic “canary in the coal mine"- retreating debt markets - exhibit none of the traditional indicators of a cycle ready to bust. 

But the dangers of long running bull markets on asset prices are well known. It's already the case that in almost all property types, current prices are higher than pre-crash prices. This poses significant challenges and temptations for investors. Do you curtail investing when fundamentals are strong, construction levels are moderate, and where debt remains historically cheap? Where are the bargains? The traps? The safe havens?  

Please join us for this invitation-only event filled with robust discussion, innovative perspectives, and high-level networking with industry leaders from every sector of the real estate business. The dinner and keynote presentation on April 19 and the conference on April 20 will both be held at the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.

This event is invitation only. Please email graaskamp@bus.wisc.edu with any event inquiries.

Spring 2018 Board Conference: Still Strong, but for How Long?

April 19-20, 2018 | The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, IL

Thursday, April 19, 2018

5:30 pm	Reception (Lakeside Room) Sponsored by Draper & Kramer
6:30 pm	Dinner (St. Claire Room) Sponsored by MB Financial Bank
7:20 - 7:30 pm	Opening Remarks Andra Ghent, Academic Director & Associate Professor, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate Michael W. Brennan, Irgens Executive Director, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate
7:30 - 8:30 pm	Dinner Keynote Sponsored by Värde Mark Gibson, CEO, HFF
8:30 pm	Informal Gathering (Ritz-Carlton Torali Bar)

Friday, April 20, 2018

7:30 - 8:30 am	Continental Breakfast (St. Claire Foyer) Sponsored by CBRE
8:30 - 8:40 am	Welcome and Remarks (St. Claire Room) Michael W. Brennan, Irgens Executive Director, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate
8:40 - 9:30 am	Session One: Morning Keynote Charles Evans, President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
9:30 - 9:45 am	Break
9:45 - 10:45 am	Session Two: Real Estate Investment Opportunities Sponsored by Metzler Real Estate Industry leaders will share their insights on the opportunities and challenges facing real estate investors today. How long a runway does the current business cycle have? What should you be doing now to prepare for a changing cycle? What impact will the current administration have on the industry? This session will be broad ranging, covering real estate capital markets and operational issues, and will examine the implications of a changing political environment for the real estate asset class. Moderator: George Pandaleon, President, Inland Institution Capital, LLC Panelists: Zeb Bradford, Chief Investment Officer, Metzler Real Estate Jason Kern, CEO-Americas, LaSalle Investment Management Joey Lansing, Senior Managing Director, Harrison Street
10:45 - 11:00 am	Break
11:00 am - 12:00 pm	Session Three: Navigating Today’s Global Debt Markets Sponsored by Brennan Investment Group Most investors have historically been focused on owning the real estate equity, but the debt side of the equation is rapidly evolving as an asset class unto itself. Many have predicted that debt origination activity will reach or exceed 2007 levels as nearly every lender is back in the game, including CMBS originators. What can you expect from the global debt markets in 2018? Our panelists offer insight into the global lending environment as well as their underwriting parameters in an increasingly competitive lending environment. Moderator: Christopher Carroll, Managing Director, HFF Panelists: Marty Cropp, Senior Managing Director, Head of Private Debt Origination, Principal Real Estate Investors Peter Giles, Vice President, Production & Sales, Freddie Mac Multifamily Geoffrey Koss, Managing Director, Head of Structured Debt, CIBC David Maki, Senior Managing Director, Co-Head Real Estate Debt Group, Heitman Sujan Patel, Managing Director, Co-Head of US Investment Management, Colony Northstar, Inc.
12:00 - 1:00 pm	Lunch (St. Claire Room) Sponsored by US Bank
12:30 - 1:30 pm	Session Four: The CEO Outlook Sponsored by Deloitte Industry leaders will share their insights on the opportunities and challenges facing real estate investors today. How long a runway does the current business cycle have? What should you be doing now to prepare for a changing cycle? What impact will the new administration have on the industry? This session will be broad ranging, covering real estate capital markets and operational issues, and will examine the implications of a changing political environment for the real estate asset class. Moderator: Robert O'Brien, Global and U.S. Real Estate & Construction Leader, Deloitte Panelists: Peter Baccile, President & CEO, First Industrial Realty Trust David Neithercut, CEO & Member of the Board of Trustees, Equity Residential Edward Wehmer, President & CEO, Wintrust
1:30 - 1:45 pm	Closing Remarks Andra Ghent, Academic Director & Associate Professor, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate
1:45 pm	Adjourn

Spring 2018 Board Conference: Still Strong, but for How Long?

Presenter Biographies

Spring 2018 Board Conference: Still Strong, but for How Long?

April 19-20, 2018 | The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, IL

Sponsorship opportunities

Don’t miss the opportunity to support this conference sponsored by the Graaskamp Center for Real Estate. This event offers outstanding opportunities to increase your visibility before a highly qualified audience of key decision makers in the industry -- all who are part of a long, proud tradition of fostering excellence in real estate education, research and outreach.

We offer sponsorship opportunities at several levels. (Please indicate your selection.)

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Spring 2018 Board Conference: Still Strong, but for How Long?

April 19-20, 2018 | The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, IL

At our invitation-only spring board conference, board members and guests will be immersed in best-in-class thinking and diverse perspectives in an intimate forum with an elite group of industry peers, renowned faculty and our great group of real estate MBA students.

Members are also encouraged to identify a guest from your peer group who you think would be a good candidate for board membership. Please submit names and bios to Michael Brennan prior to inviting, due to space constraints and so that we can avoid duplication. 

Deadline: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 

Please note, this event is invitation-only. To request more information, please email graaskamp@bus.wisc.edu.

Spring 2018 Board Conference: Still Strong, but for How Long?

April 19-20, 2018 | The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, IL

The Graaskamp Center spring board conference will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Chicago on April 19-20, 2018:

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
160 East Pearson Street, at Water Tower Place
Chicago, IL  60611
(312) 266-1000

Please note, the Graaskamp Center does not have a room block at the The Ritz-Carlton; however, guests are welcome to arrange their own accommodations. Other nearby hotels include The Whitehall, The Peninsula, The Conrad, Public, and The Chicago Marriott. We encourage all attendees to book early to ensure a room at their desired hotel.

• Parking information
• Chicago Weather 
• Recommended Attire: Business Professional