Thursday, October 11^th, 2007
 

Forum Chairman:
Steve Kaminski, President, Colonnade Development Inc.
 

A detailed presentation on the economic outlook and performance of the Ottawa market and the key emerging trends in this region. What industries and sectors are driving job creation in this region? What is the outlook for employment and population growth for the Ottawa area? How do the prospects for Ottawa compare with the outlook for other major Canadian cities?  

Mario Lefebvre, Director, Metropolitan Outlook Service,
     The Conference Board of Canada
 

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE HIGH-TECHNOLOGY SECTOR IN OTTAWA?

The high-technology sector in the Ottawa area has returned to a vibrant level, ensuring that this real estate market remains diversified and far beyond being a “government town”. Notwithstanding the significant downsizing of some major technology corporations a few years ago, this sector has attracted a considerable amount of venture capital, spawning many incubator operations which are evolving into some very viable entities.  This presentation will provide a brief update on the current and emerging trends in this very important sector.

Introduction:
Wayne Kerrick, Partner, Gowlings LLP

Speaker:
Andrew Waitman, Managing Partner,
     Celtic House Venture Partners
 

THE OTTAWA OFFICE MARKET: WHAT ARE THE FEDS THINKING?  WHAT IS HAPPENING DOWNTOWN AND IN KANATA? 

A comprehensive examination of the Ottawa office market. The session will open with an overview of how the downtown and suburban areas have performed over the past few years including the first three quarters of 2007 and what the outlook is for 2008 and beyond in terms of inventory growth, occupancy, and leasing. The presentation will be followed with a detailed update on the federal government’s real estate requirements and strategies for the Capital Region including the development of new buildings in Gatineau. The current and emerging strong leasing trends in the Kanata office market will also be discussed along with growth trends in the biotech and high technology markets.

This will be an interactive panel discussion.

Moderator:
Sandy McNair, President, Altus InSite Inc. 

Panel:
Tim McGrath, Assistant Deputy Minister, Real Property Branch,Public Works
     & Government Service Canada
Paul Hindo, Senior Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield LePage
Martin Vandewouw, President, KRP Development Group

Morning Refreshments

Session A1
Investment Roundtable: Anatomy of the Major Deals of 2006/2007 in the Ottawa Market
With cap rates at relatively low levels, there are still individuals and organizations that are finding and creating value in the Ottawa market.  Investment and development activity has been continuing over the past year. This panel of brokers will examine the experiences of some entrepreneurs over the past twelve months who have successfully found opportunities to develop office, industrial, retail, multi-unit residential and mixed-use projects in Ottawa. Major investment transactions will also be examined.   

Moderator:
Kevin McCrann, President & CEO, The Shenkman Group of Companies

Panel:
Aik Aliferis, Principal,
     Primecorp Commercial Realty Inc.
Bob Perkins, Vice President,
     CB Richard Ellis Limited
ohn Seymour, Vice President,
     Colliers International
Nathan Smith, Vice President, Capital Markets,
     Cushman & Wakefield LePage 

Session A2
Residential and Non-Residential Land Development Activity In and Around the Ottawa Area
The session will examine some of the major trends in land development activity in the greater Ottawa area. The panel will open with some insights on five and ten year population forecasts and current estimated land inventory. Where are land values heading in the Ottawa market for 2008 and beyond? Can the strong demand, constrained supply, and escalating prices be sustained? What does the future hold? Is there anything on the horizon that might increase supply and lower prices? What policies should the City of Ottawa be adopting in this market? Where are development costs and charges likely to be heading?  How much brownfield activity are we likely to see? Will infill developments significantly increase since 75% of the city’s growth is suppose to take place inside the greenbelt?

Moderator:
Michel Pilon, President, SimpliCity Developments Inc.

Panel:
Ian Cross, Program Manager, Research and Projections,
     Development Services, City of Ottawa
John Doran, President, Domicile Developments Inc.
Derek Howe, Business Development Manager,
     Broccolini Construction (Ontario) Inc.
Stephen Martin, Senior Project Director, Giffels Design Build Inc.
 

Session B1
Trends and Opportunities in the Multi-Unit Residential Market & the Growth of Seniors Housing
This session will open with an overview of the rental housing market in Ottawa leading to an examination of the continued investor interest in multi-unit residential apartments. Some discussion will also focus on the development of new buildings. Coupled with the traditional markets for multi-unit residential is the continuing growth of the seniors housing sector. The panel will also examine this trend and what some of the major differences are in delivering this type of product from that of conventional apartment living. What are some of the risks and opportunities associated with this unique market? 

Moderator:
Sam Firestone, Principal, Primecorp Commercial Realty Inc.

Panel:
Don Bayne, Director & Counsel, Homestead Land Holdings Limited
Ugo Bizzarri, CFO & Vice President, Acquisitions,
     Timbercreek Asset Management Inc.
Michael Newman, CEO, InterRent REIT
Roy Oostergo, Vice President, Business Development,
     Amica Mature Lifestyles Inc.

Session B2
Trends in Retail Leasing and Development in the Ottawa Market
The retail sector continues to demonstrate leasing strength and strong investment interest in major urban markets across Canada, and Ottawa is no exception. This session will discuss key leasing, investment and development trends and issues, as well as provide an outlook for Ottawa retail market activity.  Specific topics that will be discussed include the Rideau Centre, the role of traditional shopping centres in the region and the continuous growth of open air and power centres. The session will open with a brief retail market overview.

Moderator:
Brent Taylor, President, Brentcom Realty Corporation

Panel:
Michael Dobrijevic, Senior Vice President, Development & Leasing,
     Bentall Retail LP
Dennis Eberhard, Vice President, Development, SmartCentres
Jeff Ross, Vice President, Leasing, RioCan REIT
Cindy Van Buskirk, General Manager, Rideau Centre
 

LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Introduction:
Roger Greenberg, Chairman & CEO, Minto Developments Inc.

Keynote Speaker:

Larry O'Brien
Mayor, City of Ottawa
 

Concurrent Sessions (Select C1 or C2)  

Session C1
The Surging Interest in Green Buildings: What Does It Mean for New Developments? What Does It Mean for Existing Buildings?
Mounting evidence is supporting the contention that greener and higher performance buildings can command higher rents and asset value, enhance occupant health and well-being, improve employee productivity, attract tenants more quickly, reduce tenant turnover, and cost less to operate and maintain. This session will examine a range of green projects that have been undertaken in the Ottawa market and what has been learned from these experiences.  Specific case studies will include the recently completed TELUS building in downtown Ottawa that is both a LEED NC and LEED CI project, showing the importance of commercial interior environments, and the leading edge EcoCite condominium project providing a residential example. Some discussion will also focus on the role and relevance of BOMA’s rating systems for improving existing buildings.

Moderator:
Ed Lowans, Senior Sustainable Design Specialist, Halsall Associates Limited

Panel:
Sheila Brown, Practice Director,
     Sustainable Building Solutions,
     Jacques Whitford Ltd.
Richard Chmiel, Principal,
     Richard Chmiel Architect & Associates,
     architect of the new TELUS building in downtown Ottawa
Christopher Sweetnam-Holmes,
     Architect and Developer, EcoCité

Session C2
Planning the Future of the Ottawa Market: Are There Sufficient Employment Lands? Where is Growing Heading?
Considerable debate continues about managing the future direction of the City of Ottawa. Where is the growth going? What will the urban boundaries look like over the next 10 to 20 years? How will the east-west debate resolve itself? Will there be a significant amount of community renewal in response to the province’s Places to Grow Strategies and the city’s planning policies? Is there a disconnect between densification and intensification? How will the new zoning by-law from the city affect growth?

This session will also be conducted by a leading planner who has authored reports on some of these issues in the past and more recently.

Moderator:
Cal Kirkpatrick, Vice President, Development,
     Colonnade Development Inc.

Speakers:
Peter Hume, City Councillor & Chair, Planning and Environment Committee,
     City of Ottawa
Lee Parsons, Partner, Malone Given Parsons Ltd.
Pamela Sweet, Vice President, FoTenn Consultants Inc.
 

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON OTTAWA’S OFFICE, INDUSTRIAL, RETAIL AND MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL MARKETS: THE OUTLOOK FOR 2008 AND BEYOND

A wide ranging panel discussion on the key trends, opportunities and risks emerging in the office, industrial, retail and multi-unit residential markets in Ottawa. Participants include heads of national real estate organizations active in the Ottawa market as well as locally based entrepreneurs and executives. Among questions that will be discussed are the following. Where do the panelists see the real estate cycle heading over the short to medium term in Ottawa? What are you buying, where are you buying and why are you buying? What plans do you have with respect your existing Ottawa portfolio? What will be your strategy for 2008 and beyond in this market?

Moderator:
Steve Kaminski, President, Colonnade Development Inc.

Panel:
Richard Abboud, President, Forum Leasehold Partners Inc.
Zelick Altman, Managing Director, LaSalle Investment Management
Daniel Drimmer, President, TransGlobe Property Management Services Ltd.
Bernie Myers, Asset Manager, Eastern Canada, Morguard Investments Limited
Greg Rogers, Executive Vice President, Minto Developments Inc.
 

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