CCIM Live! 2012 - Day 2 Recap

Day two at CCIM Live! began bright and early with a networking breakfast hosted by conference co-chairs Bobbi Miracle, CCIM, and Katya Naman, CCIM, followed by the CCIM Institute Board of Directors meeting.

Todd Clarke, CCIM

Todd Clarke, CCIM, CEO of NM Apartment Advisors, led the day's first education session, Innovative Marketing: Integrating Social Networking Into Your Existing Marketing Plan. "Successful implementation of social networking requires listening," Clarke explained. He recommended several tools that commercial real estate professionals can use to monitor social media including Google Alerts, TweetDeck, and HootSuite. "Don't post listing after listing," Clarke said. "Start a conversation."

Economic outlook panelists

The CCIM Live! economic panel luncheon began on a positive note: "I don't think we'll see another recession," said Mark G. Dotzour, chief economist and director of research at Texas A&M University. "We have too much pent-up demand." But fellow panelist Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist with Wells Fargo, was less optimistic. "U.S. fiscal policy is mathematically unsound and unsustainable," he said, explaining that, while we probably won't go over the fiscal cliff, significant "fiscal drag" is certain to plague the U.S. economy in 2013. Suzanne Mulvee, senior real estate economist with Property and Portfolio Research, offered a perspective on how the major commercial real estate property sectors are faring amid these economic circumstances. "The good news is that things are moving," she said, citing falling vacancy rates in many markets.

Troubled assets panelists

 
Over $1.5 trillion of commercial real estate loans will mature in the next five years. Panelists who participated in the Troubled Assets session offered four perspectives on this situation: special servicers (Bill Stolberg, CCIM, CPM), national banks (Jeff Johnson), community banks (Maryann Mize, CCIM), and brokers/investors (Gary Ralston, CCIM).

CCIM All-Star Panel

 
The conference closed with the CCIM All-Star Panel hosted by 2013 CCIM President Wayne D'Amico, CCIM. D'Amico asked some of the top industry professionals who also happen to be CCIMs why they value the pin. "We're bound together by the education," said Richard E. Frazier Jr., CCIM, director of real estate with Kaman Industrial Technologies. "Since we speak the same language, we can move quickly through a transaction, which is important in our business." And Ryan Lorey, CCIM, senior director with Broadcom Corp., noted that CCIM concepts can make a big impact in the C-suite: "We can take the knowledge we have and educate corporate CFOs."

Thanks to all who attended. See you in Denver in 2013!

Video clips and slides from select sessions will be available on live2012.ccim.com soon.

CCIM Live! 2012 - Day 1 Recap

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman kicked off day one of CCIM Live! with the story of Las Vegas -- from gaming, shows, and a lot of undeveloped land in the 1960s to today’s diverse market for tourists and investors alike. Programs such as Quick Start, which grants up to $50,000 to a business for renovating old properties, are helping to rejuvenate the city’s downtown area, Goodman explained.

James Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, who followed Goodman with the day’s keynote address, echoed those sentiments. "We’re seeing the seeds of things improving in Las Vegas," he said. Murren oversaw the development of CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip, one of the largest privately funded sustainable developments in the world.

James Murren

The lending experts who participated in the commercial financing panel discussion see improvement in the national market, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty about the market’s long-term prospects. "We’re being much more aggressive than we were a year or two ago from a financing standpoint," said John Manganiello, senior vice president and market executive for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. But fear of a "lending gap" in 2015 tempered the positive outlook among panelists. The good news? "It’s an opportunity for CCIMs," said Richard Podos, founder of Lance Capital LLC. "Craft solutions that the next guy can’t figure out."

 Commercial Financing panel

Deal or No Deal: Trends and Issues That Are Impacting Commercial Real Estate was led by Brian Bailey, senior financial policy analyst with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. After an in-depth examination of each commercial real estate sector and commercial mortgage-backed securities, among other topics, Bailey concluded that the real estate market is improving. However, the pace of that recovery is highly dependent on property type and location.

Wayne D’Amico, CCIM (left) inaugurated as 2013 CCIM Institute President

At Celebrate Live! attendees recognized new designees and Wayne D'Amico, CCIM, who was inaugurated as CCIM Institute's 2013 president. The theme of the event was "Your Opportunity to Excel." It was also an opportunity for CCIMs to shake it on the dance floor.

Video clips and slides from select sessions will be available on live2012.ccim.com soon.

10 Ways to Get Ready for CCIM Live! 2012

CCIM Live! begins in less than a week. Here are 10 tips to help you get ready for CCIM's annual conference:

1. Download the CCIM Live! app – Get schedule updates, connect with attendees, and learn more about conference presenters on your iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android smartphone.
2. Stock up on business cards – In addition to informal networking opportunities, we have two hours of scheduled networking time. So make sure to pack your business cards!
3. Start networking – Complete your CCIM Live! website profile and connect with other attendees before you arrive in Las Vegas. When you create a website profile, you’re also creating a profile on the conference app.
4. Use the #ccimlive hashtag – Share what you learn or why you’re going to CCIM Live! on Twitter using the #ccimlive hashtag.
5. Follow CCIM on Twitter and Facebook - We'll post conference photos, updates, and news on our Twitter and Facebook profiles.
6. Review your transportation options – A one-way ride from Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport to the Paris hotel is $20. Shuttles and private sedans are also available.
7. Set your out of office messages – "I am attending CCIM Institute’s annual meetings and conference until [your return date]. I will return your message as soon as possible. To learn more about CCIM and its fall conference, visit www.ccim.com."
8. Register for the wine soiree – The Southern Nevada CCIM Chapter, this year’s host chapter, is hosting its 16th Annual Wine Soiree and Auction in conjunction with CCIM Live!
9. Plan your free time – Las Vegas has a little bit of something for everyone. World-class dining, gaming, outdoor activities, shopping, and more. See a list of exclusive discounts available to conference attendees.
10. Make a note to register for CCIM Live! – Come for the meetings and stay for the conference. This year's CCIM Live! schedule is incorporated with the annual meetings. If you're attending the meetings but haven't registered for the conference, make a note to do so when you arrive at the Paris.

Q & A with Host Chapter President

As president of the CCIM Live! host chapter, Ryan Martin, CCIM, vice president of Colliers International in Las Vegas, played an important role in selecting speakers and organizing networking events around the conference.

Ryan Martin, CCIM

Martin recently spoke with us about the CCIM Live! conference, networking, and more.

CCIM: The Southern Nevada Chapter is hosting a Wine Soiree networking event on Oct. 13, the Saturday before CCIM Live! begins. Why should conference attendees arrive early for the event?

Ryan Martin, CCIM: The Wine Soiree has been a signature event for our chapter. Past attendance has averaged around 150 to 200 people from a variety of commercial real estate specialties. So attendees will have great networking opportunities, and our auction will help raise money for charity. Since going big in Vegas is a requirement, we're hosting the event at the Hard Rock. If you are planning to attend the conference, you should definitely include this kick-off party in your plans.

CCIM: How and why did you and the conference committee choose the CCIM Live! speakers?

RM: We booked James Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, because it was imperative to tie the audience to Las Vegas. Murren was the obvious choice because of his role in the recently completed City Center. City Center is one of the largest green developments in the world, and financing and completing such a big development was no easy accomplishment. Those ingredients provided a perfect opportunity to bring a touch of Vegas to the national stage.

CCIM: Last year you connected with a CCIM from Taiwan who also attended CCIM Live! How did that happen?

RM: We connected through the CCIM network after we both returned home. It wasn't until we returned home that we realized we were together at CCIM Live! for a week. It goes to show how small a world it really is and how CCIM can truly benefit you if you work for it.

CCIM: You're from Las Vegas. What's your favorite restaurant, bar, and day trip?

RM: With reluctance, I will pick just one. One of my favorite restaurant experiences on the Strip is the back room, in the kitchen, at Delmonico Steakhouse in the Venetian. Any bar will have your flavor; again, it is the experience. That said, miX at Mandalay Bay's THEHotel has a great venue overlooking the Strip. Some of my favorite day trips include Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Lake Mead/Hoover Dam. If you stay in town, bring your golf clubs or spend a day at the spa.

Las Vegas: Post-Recession Model City?

Tony Hsieh

What can Las Vegas teach us about economic recovery? A lot, according to a recent article in The Atlantic. This year’s CCIM Live! host city is poised for big changes, thanks in part to the vision of Zappos Chief Executive Officer Tony Hsieh: "He wants to build community, a place that fosters collaboration and learning and passion and compassion. These are not exactly character traits of Las Vegas, a city that, like Wall Street, can be hard and rapacious in its hunt for the easy marks. Hsieh says that if it can be done in the unlikeliest of places, it can be done anywhere."

Fox Business Interviews CCIM Live! Panelist

CCIM Live! panelist and CIRE contributor Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist for Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, N.C. appeared on Fox Business last week to discuss 2Q12 GDP and the July jobs report, which will be released this Friday.



He reiterated that the economy is likely to slow in the second half of 2012, as a result of the China’s slowdown, political uncertainty in the U.S., and the European financial crisis.

Panelist Weighs In on the Economy and Commercial Real Estate

Suzanne Mulvee

Suzanne Mulvee, CFA, senior real estate economist at Property and Portfolio Research, will be part of an economic outlook panel on day two of CCIM Live!

We spoke with her recently about the economy and its impact on commercial real estate.

CCIM: At Property and Portfolio Research, you design investment strategies in the major property types. Which property types do clients favor right now and why?

Suzanne Mulvee: Multifamily has been the darling of institutional investors for the past two years, but that may be changing. Fundamentals across multifamily are nearly recovered, and net operating incomes have jumped, but this success is now well priced. With multifamily construction heating up, investors may cycle toward the other property types. Office in particular may be a good play.

CCIM: You'll participate in an economic outlook panel at CCIM Live! in October. A lot can change in this economy in three months. What are some factors that could change your economic outlook between now and the conference?

Mulvee: With the global economy slipping toward stall speed there is greater risk that a shock to the system knocks us into a recession. Worse, the number of risks to be concerned about are numerous — Europe, China, Iran, sovereign debt levels (both here in the U.S. and abroad), fiscal tightening, etc. The central bank policy response to combat any shock would likely be impressive, but how effective is not clear. Against this backdrop, it is not surprising that the consensus assumption is slow growth and fat tail risk.

CCIM: Many CCIMs work in secondary and tertiary markets. What are the major retail trends you're tracking in these markets?

Mulvee: Secondary and tertiary markets tend to be less expensive and therefore attract new residents, which drives local commercial real estate demand. The housing bust severely curtailed the mobility of the population, but that is changing. With more and more pockets of the housing market recovering, migration is picking back up. The benefits accrue first to the big markets like Dallas and Phoenix but should eventually impact the smaller markets.