7:15 a.m.

REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

Conference Co-Chairmen:
Vincent Chiara, President, Group Mach Inc.
Renée Laflamme, Vice President, Mortgage Loans,
     Industrial Alliance Insurance & Financial Services Inc.

8:05 a.m.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK & POPULATION TRENDS FOR THE MONTREAL MARKET

A leading economist will examine the economic outlook and the key trends that are driving growth in Montreal and surrounding regions. How does the economic forecast for Quebec compare with the rest of Canada?

What is the outlook for interest rates, commodity prices, bond yields, inflation and economic growth? What impact will weak manufacturing conditions have on employment growth? What is the future direction for energy costs and the rate of inflation? What are the projected population growth patterns in Quebec for 2009 and beyond?

Clément Gignac, premier vice-président, stratège et économiste en chef, Financière Banque Nationale

This presentation will provide an analysis of rental housing supply and demand across Quebec over the short and medium-term. Using the results of CMHC’s Rental Market Survey and ongoing market analysis, the speaker will examine the current and emerging direction of rental and home ownership affordability in Montreal. Demographic trends, immigration patterns, and population growth will also be addressed.

The speakers in this session will provide insight into the apartment investment market activity in Montreal and Quebec City, beginning with an overview of relevant sales in 2009. Who are the largest owners across Quebec, who is buying and who is selling multi-unit residential properties at this time? How are property values being affected by energy costs, vacancy rates, and interest rates? Public market activities, portfolio sales, cap rates, and foreign buyer interest in the multi-unit residential market across Canada will also be discussed.

SESSION A1
THE MONTREAL APARTMENT MARKET: BUY & SELL OPPORTUNITIES

Where are investors buying? Where are they building? Which areas have reached their peak and which areas are being affected by condo development? This session will provide a secular overview of the Montreal apartment marketplace identifying specific areas that are experiencing an increase in development and investment activity.

SESSION A2
MARKETING IS A CONVERSATION: STRATEGIES FOR INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN MULTIFAMILY MARKETING

Simply advertising on the internet apartment search sites isn't enough these days. Smart marketers realize that today's internet strategies require a strong knowledge of search engine optimization as well as a presence on many social media sites (and we're not just talking Facebook and MySpace either). Learn how to improve your current site, your internet listings and how to successfully create your brand and gain more renters in the process with this highly-informative and cutting-edge session. 

Speaker Lisa Trosien has been providing educational programming to the apartment industry for over ten years. She frequently presents for the National Multihousing Council, the National Apartment Association, Multihousing World, the Multifamily Brainstorming Sessions, state and local apartment associations and multifamily owners, management companies and developers across the United States.

SESSION A3
STRATEGIES TO ENTICE CONSUMERS TO RENT INSTEAD OF BUY: COMPETING WITH THE CONDO MARKET

A large percent of Quebec’s aging apartment stock is located in desirable areas, close to public transportation with larger than average rooms. What strategic options are available to enable an owner to compete in the battle of affordable condominium housing versus affordable apartment rent? The speakers in this session will address a range of initiatives that will create a desirable, competitively priced asset to compete with current condo stock. Issues to be addressed will include architectural design, interior finishes, technomenities and ancillary services. A brief overview of the current condo market will identify current product supply and demand and set the context for the panel discussion.

SESSION B1
MARKET MELTDOWN: INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE U.S.

The sub prime debacle and recent capital markets turmoil have affected the apartment industry across the U.S. How will this play out in the second quarter and balance of 2009? Have prices bottomed out, or is a further decline in prices expected? What is the outlook for the U.S. housing market overall including rent growth, occupancy, net absorption and new supply? Where are the best opportunities for Canadian investors?

SESSION B2
TRENDS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS IN THE APARTMENT MARKET IN QUEBEC CITY AND SMALLER REGIONS

What are the supply and demand dynamics of the multi-unit residential market in Quebec  

City and how do they equate to investor pricing in this market? The panel of developers and owners will provide their perspective on investment activity and other fundamentals related to the apartment sector. The discussion will also focus on the changing demographics and the growth of other housing products including condos and seniors housing.

SESSION B3
KEYS TO AN EFFECTIVE BUSINESS PLAN FOR TODAY’S ECONOMIC REALITIES: MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES TO INCREASE THE NET ASSET VALUE OF YOUR BUILDINGS AND PORTFOLIO

Applying stronger management and financial practices can increase the value of your apartment buildings. This session will examine the most effective strategies to create a business plan for your portfolio and to manage the operating costs of a rental apartment business including: commitment accounting; supplier and contractor selection and management; capital cost vs. operating cost implications; financing strategies and management reporting, measurement and control techniques and energy management.

2:35 p.m.

This session will provide an insightful discussion on the current and emerging direction of the Canadian rental housing sector.  

• Is there a disconnect between apartment values in the private market and the implied cap rates of the REITs?

• Where do you think cap rates are headed in 2009?

• Is the Montreal market doing well? Where does it need to improve?

• Is the rental housing business in Quebec stable? How is the overall sector performing? How are we going to compete in the future?

• Will the slowdown in the condo market affect your apartment portfolio?

• Has there been a slowdown in the number of transactions over the past 12 months?

• What will be your strategy for 2009 and beyond?

3:30 p.m.

NETWORKING RECEPTION