2016 Program

Thursday, June 9, 2016

8:00 AM 
REGISTRATION & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:45 AM 
OPENING REMARKS & PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Introduction of Conference Chair:

Tara Steell

Tara Steell, 2016 Calgary CREW President

Conference Chair:

David Routledge

David Routledge, Vice President, Real Estate Management West, Oxford Properties Group


8:50 AM
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: DISRUPTIONS OF THE FUTURE

Jim Dewald’s presentation will introduce a dialogue on today’s changing times and what we might anticipate for change in the future. What can we expect from the changing business environment, changing business leadership, and what might that mean for real estate? He will describe why we could be entering a period like no other. Innovations will either skyrocket or fall hard. A third industrial revolution is emerging and this time, things could be very different..

Jim Dewald

Speaker:
Jim Dewald
, Dean, Haskayne School of Business


9:20 AM
STATE OF UNION: HOW IS CALGARY’S LEASING MARKET PERFORMING AND WHERE IS IT HEADING?

This session will provide an overview of current trends in the Calgary market in the office, retail and industrial property classes. What are the key market fundamentals at this time including vacancy rates, absorption rates, and NERs? How does the investment market relate to the leasing markets? Is there any momentum in the leasing markets at this time? What range of transactions have there been? The panel will also demystify some what’s taking place in the market and debate the outlook for the next 18 months into 2017.

Jim Dewald

Irene Au

John Cardiff

Carla Muhlbeier

Darryl Schmidt

Moderator:
Alex Wong, Executive Vice President, Avison Young

Panel:
Irene Au, Vice President, Leasing Western Region, Dream Office Management Corp. (office)
John Cardiff, Managing Partner, Brookfield Financial (investment)
Carla Muhlbeier, Vice President, Alberta Industrial, CREIT Management LP (industrial)
Darryl Schmidt, Vice President, National Leasing, Western Canada, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited (retail)


10:30 AM
MORNING REFRESHMENTS

11:00 AM
CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Select A1, A2 or A3)
Session A1:
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF TENANT BANKRUPTCY: WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE TENANT AND FOR THE LANDLORD

This session will take an in-depth look at what bankruptcy means for the tenant and for the landlord. What is bankruptcy and what happens when the tenant goes bankrupt or seeks protection of insolvency laws? How can landlords work with tenants without waiving their rights? Can the revenue from the lease be recouped? If so, what are the best strategies? Is it possible to find a new tenant? What can the landlord and broker do to best manage this situation? Is there any way to be proactive?

Greg Liakopoulos

Alexis Teasdale

Speaker:
Greg Liakopoulos, Partner, Bennett Jones Calgary
Alexis Teasdale, Partner, Bennett Jones Calgary


Session A2:
MASTERING LEASE NEGOTIATION IN TODAY’S MARKET: HOW TO DEVELOP
SOLUTIONS, RESOLVE KEY ISSUES AND CLOSE THE DEAL

New issues and new sticking points are arising in today’s challenging market. Tenants may be extremely cost conscious and focused on lease flexibility more than ever. Landlords still seek to maximize rents and occupancy. But must one be traded off against the other in this market? This interactive session will examine some strategies and techniques that landlords, tenants, lawyers and brokers should consider using in negotiating a lease in a developing tenant driven market. What sections of the lease are open for more intense negotiation? How should step downs be managed? What are the typical discussion points that will be difficult, and what are the issues that should be easily resolved? In today’s lease negotiations, where is the middle ground?

Randy Fennessey

Bavia Bisetty

Sean Flathers

Travis Makoloski

Moderator:
Randy Fennessey, Partner, Colliers International

Panel:
Bavia Bisetty, Lawyer, Stikeman Elliott LLP
Sean Flathers, Vice President, Leasing, Marketing & Development, Telsec Property Corp.
Travis Makoloski, Senior Leasing Manager, First Capital Realty


Session A3:
HOW TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS

Communicating effectively is imperative to business relationships, and can be especially difficult during periods of economic stress.  This presentation will delve into communication tips and tactics that can be used when dealing with difficult situations and stressed clients.  Increase the ability to negotiate, motivate, build relationships or have unpleasant conversations.  This session will also tips on how to add impact to your message through voice and body language.

Robyn Braley

Speaker:
Robyn Braley
, President, UniMark Creative


12:00 PM
LUNCHEON

12:45 PM
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Seven Slow Secrets : Marketing Commercial Buildings in a Sluggish Economy

With the right marketing efforts, commercial properties are capable of overcoming a sluggish economy, even when nothing seems to be moving. Companies still need to right-size, and more forward-thinking organizations will be planning for the next market fluctuation. How do you make sure your offering is finding the perfect tenants? What are the most current best-practices in the commercial sector? How do you attract the right attention from the right people?

David Allison

Speaker:
David Allison
, Principal Advisor, David Allison Inc.


1:30 PM
CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Select B1, B2, or B3)
Session B1:
RAPID FIRE LEGAL ROUNDTABLE: ADDRESSING SIX CURRENT LEASING ISSUES SPECIFIC TO THE CALGARY MARKET

A fast paced session where legal experts will cover off six issues that people often experience in the leasing process and don’t always understand. Each issue will be addressed by a legal expert, with an opportunity for delegates to ask questions and gain clarification.

Rose Christensen

Robert Homersham

Jakub Ksiazek

 

Speaker:
Rose Christensen
, Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Robert Homersham, Counsel, Fasken Martineau LLP
Jakub Ksiazek, Barrister & Solicitor, BLG LLP


Session B2:
CASE STUDIES OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE DOWNTURN: CREATIVE WAYS TO REPOSITION YOUR PROPERTY

As vacancy rates continue to rise especially in the office market, some landlords are using the opportunity to reposition their properties and update their space environments. Three case studies will examine asset management and leasing strategies that landlords have undertaken in the current market conditions. What is their strategy? How have they executed it? What is their ultimate goal? What response have they received from tenants?

Lloyd Suchet

Rick Artus

Rob Blackwell

Ryan Handley

Moderator:
Lloyd Suchet
, Executive Director, BOMA Calgary

Case Study Presentations:
Bow Valley Square: Rick Artus, Director of Leasing, Oxford Properties Group
Pan-Canadian Plaza: Rob Blackwell, Senior Vice President, Investment & Asset Management, Aspen Properties
5th Avenue Place: Ryan Handley, Director, Office Leasing, Brookfield Office Properties


Session B3:
MINI-ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH LEADERS & PEERS

Take advantage of this opportunity to participate in informal discussions on the dynamics of key legal issues, asset management strategies, and tips from the pros. Tap into the minds of experts, gain insight into proven strategies, and share experiences with your peers. You will have an opportunity to be part of one of the following small discussion groups:

  1. Tips on Managing Operating Costs: How to Address the Issues
     - Ian MacRae, Senior Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
  2. Five Lease Clauses That Need Special Attention in a Slow Market
    - Barrie Pomerance, Counsel, BLG LLP
  3. Role of Technology and Social Media in Marketing and Leasing
    - Justin Mayerchak, Vice President, Occupier Advisory Group, Colliers International
  4. The Challenges of Leasing Older Buildings
    - Bob MacDougall, Senior Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield

2:35 PM
CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Select C1, C2, or C3)
Session C1:
HOW IS RECENT CASE LAW IMPACTING STRATEGIES FOR ASSET MANAGERS AND LEASE NEGOTIATION?

This fast-paced analysis and discussion will review legal cases and judgments that landlords, tenants, brokers, and lawyers practicing in the real estate field need to be aware of and must understand.  The panel will then turn their focus to practical information pertaining to these precedents and how they are impacting commercial real estate transactions and activity, especially as it applies to asset management  strategies and lease negotiations.

Rick Charlton

Paul Logan

Richard Morden

Barrie Pomerance

Chris Wigle

Moderator:
Rick Charlton, Vice President, Asset Management, GWL Realty Advisors

Panel:
Paul Logan, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Richard Morden, Vice President, Investment Management, Bentall Kennedy (Canada) LP
Barrie Pomerance, Counsel, BLG LLP
Chris Wigle, Director, Leasing – Western Canada, PIRET


Session C2:
TENANT TRANSFERS: NAVIGATING THE WORLD OF SUBLEASING, ASSIGNMENT AND LEASE TAKEOVERS

Subleasing is increasingly common and as a result it’s important for both tenants and landlords to understand the key issues and differences associated with these types of tenancies. What is a sublease? What are the major differences between a head lease vs. a sublease? How should tenants work with landlords in order to gain consent? How are lease takeovers being structured? What is the tenant’s perspective on subleases? What about the landlord’s perspective? What is the difference between lease and sublease enforcement? How can the lease be terminated if necessary? How can lease provisions manage sublease activity without unduly penalizing the tenant? When can the landlord’s consent be reasonably withheld? Does the landlord need a third party agreement?

Ken Dixon

Ryan Haney

Craig Harkness

Colin Norris

Kim Wingerak

Moderator:
Ken Dixon, Senior Vice President, Property Management, Strategic Group

Panel:
Ryan Haney, Senior Vice President, Industrial, JLL
Craig Harkness, Partner, McMillan LLP
Colin Norris, Asset Manager, Brookfield Office Properties
Kim Wingerak, Vice President, Property Management, Triovest Realty Advisors


Session C3:
MINI-ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH LEADERS & PEERS

Take advantage of this opportunity to participate in informal discussions on the dynamics of key legal issues, asset management strategies, and tips from the pros. Tap into the minds of experts, gain insight into proven strategies, and share experiences with your peers. You will have an opportunity to be part of one of the following small discussion groups:

  1. Leasing Trends in the Industrial Market
    - Casey Stuart, Vice President, Industrial Division, Barclay Street Real Estate
  2. Leasing Trends in the Retail Market
    - Grant Kosowan, President, Orange National Retail Group (Prairies) Inc.
  3.  Leasing Trends in the Downtown Office Market
    - Aly Lalani, Senior Vice President, Partner, Colliers International
    - Scott McCulloch, Sales Representative, Downtown Office Leasing, CBRE Limited
  4. Leasing Activity in the Beltline and Suburban Office Market
    - Dan Harmsen, Partner, Vice President, Barclay Street Real Estate

3:35 PM
AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS

3:40 PM
CLOSING SESSION:
A SOFT CALGARY ENERGY SECTOR – WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST? HOW DID WE MANAGE AND EVENTUALLY REVERSE THE CYCLE?

The significant decline in the price of oil over the last two years has not only had a major impact on the Calgary real estate market but it reminded and reinforced how connected the local Calgary economy is to the global market. Many pundits continue to say “as goes the hydrocarbons sector, so goes Calgary”. The trends since 2014 are not the first time that Calgary has faced these economic challenges. This closing conversation with a seasoned energy executive will provide valuable insight on how Calgary can weather this economic environment.

David Routledge

David Routledge, Vice President, Real Estate Management West, Oxford Properties Group

In Conversation with:

Jeff Cormack

Jeff Cormack, Director, Canadian Energy Investment Banking, RBC Capital Markets


4:20 PM
CLOSING COMMENTS

4:30 PM

CHAIRS RECEPTION