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UM’s Real Estate Impact Conference Focuses on Threats and Opportunities in U.S. and Global Markets
Hospitality services are playing an increasingly important role throughout the commercial real estate market, as employers seek to recruit and retain talented workers. Another emerging trend is the growing demand for medical office properties and senior housing driven by the aging of the U.S. population. However, the global spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 poses a threat to financial assets as well as national economies.
Those insights were among the key takeaways from expert participants at the ninth annual University of Miami Real Estate Impact Conference, hosted by the School of Architecture and Miami Herbert Business School on February 28 at the Four Seasons Hotel with support from presenting sponsors Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Kislak, and Witkoff.
More than 650 University of Miami students and alumni, including many South Florida commercial real estate and finance professionals, discussed both threats and opportunities in the market at multidisciplinary conference, attended by John Quelch, dean of Miami Herbert Business School, Rodolphe el-Khoury, dean of the School of Architecture, and Tony Varona, dean of the School of Law.
“Bringing together faculty and students from our schools of architecture, business and law is an important step in tackling today’s complex problems,” said University of Miami President Julio Frenk. “This conference is an excellent example, because real estate is essential to Miami’s economy with an impact around the world.”
David Martin, vice president of retail at Swire Properties, welcomed UM’s Swire Scholar students to the opening luncheon, where they had an opportunity to discuss their studies and career plans with UM’s Real Estate Advisory Board members.
For MBA student Jack Shelgren, the Swire Scholars luncheon provided valuable learning and networking opportunities. “As an intern, I did research and financial analysis, learning about multifamily, office and retail asset types,” he said. “Now, I’m an associate at Freedom Property Group, gaining an entrepreneurial perspective, while working on acquisitions for our clients.”
Andrea Heuson, professor of finance and academic director of Miami Herbert Business School’s real estate programs, noted the importance of developing face-to-face professional relationships at the conference. “We have built an incredible network here, including our many generous sponsors,” she said. “That support has allowed us to offer our program on impact investing in real estate, as well as a summer program introducing high school students to our industry, and opening the door for the next generation of professionals.”
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