OPENING REMARKS: PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Introduction of the Forum Chair:
Melanie Ducholke, 2016 Edmonton CREW President

Forum Chair:
Brandon Kot, Managing Partner, Canada ICI

With a young and growing population, and continued investment in infrastructure projects such as the ICE District, the Major Neighborhood Renewal Program, and the Valley Line LRT system, Edmonton continues to thrive in a volatile economic climate. How long can the city sustain its current growth? What aspects of the economy are producing strong results? Why has Edmonton been somewhat protected over the last 18 months? What is the overall outlook for the coming year?

Speaker:
John Rose, Chief Economist, City of Edmonton

Despite a more than challenging year for parts of Alberta and those working in the oil industry, in 2015 Edmonton experienced 7 consecutive months of increased employment with 23% of new jobs created in Canada. With over 20 buildings under construction including the ICE District, three new office towers, two new business hotels among other projects, Edmonton seems to have been somewhat protected. What’s driving the Edmonton region economy? What is fuelling the development in the city? Is there low hanging fruit ripe for the picking? Where are the opportunities and the risks? What unique challenges do communities outside the capital region face? Is now the time to invest? Why is there more activity than expected? Are outside investors taking advantage?  Who are the major players?  Will the activity continue over the next 2 years? What other plans are in the mix?

Moderator:
Brad Ferguson, President & CEO, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation

Panel:
Micheal Dal Bello, Senior Vice President, Real Estate, AIMco
Dale Klein, CEO, Canada ICI
Jon Love, CEO, KingSett Capital
Dave Young, Executive Vice President, Managing Director, CBRE Limited

This discussion will examine the availability of public and private debt and equity as well as forecast what the second half of 2016 looks like. Are there emerging risks? What can be expected over the coming year with respect to the cost, availability and sources of capital? Will lenders be more or less aggressive in 2016? What impact is the federal government policy having on capital and the real estate market generally? How challenging is asset valuation today? What information is required from a valuation by management, purchasers, vendors, shareholders, lenders, and the capital markets? Is 2016 the year the BOC increases interest rates? If so, how high and how soon will that increase take place?

Moderator:
Graham Garner, CFO, Strategic Group

Panel:
Scott Coates, Managing Director, KingSett Mortgage Corporation
Chris Fowler, CEO, Canadian Western Bank
Alan Winer, CEO & Co-Founder, The Harbour Group

Vacancies in the industrial sector have increased over the last year due to weak oil prices as well as a significant increase of new supply. As the price of oil remains below $50, it’s expected that the vacancy rate will continue to rise. How are landlords positioning new product? What’s happening with older product? Has the market become favoured towards tenants? Who is in the market for space? What other factors are contributing to vacancy rates? Are there additional industrial opportunities in Edmonton? What does the panel predict will happen in the coming 6-12 months?

Moderator:
Grant Ranslam, Principal, Avison Young

Panel:
Geoff Herdman, Director, Real Estate Development, Edmonton International Airport
Gregg Maimann, Senior Vice President, Industrial Sales & Leasing, CBRE Limited
Kelly Pawlik, Vice President, Leasing, WAM Development
Alistair Pickering, Director, Industrial, Oxford Properties Group

This session will provide an overview and update on the MDC proposed by the City of Edmonton as well as include a discussion between leaders who are overseeing similar organizations in other jurisdictions. What challenges have other municipalities encountered with similar corporations? How have industry professionals been impacted in those markets? What lessons can be learned and be applied in Edmonton?

Moderator:
Daniel Eggert, Regional Manager, North Region, Melcor Development Ltd.

Panel:
Michael Brown, President & CEO, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation
John Day, President, John Day Developments
Chris Ollenberger, Managing Principal, QuantumPlace Developments Ltd.
Laurie Scott, Vice President, Cameron Communities

The last time that many people remember the market being this challenging in Alberta was during the 1980s. While many entrepreneurs lost everything, a select handful of smart, hard-working and lucky business people not only survived but have since thrived. Hear from a panel of some of the city’s most seasoned businessmen as they discuss, debate and lament how they scrapped through the 1980s. What was their biggest challenge, their biggest success and their best lesson during that time? What are they passing along to the younger members of their team? How long do they think it will last and how have they been managing their day to day?

Moderator:
John Ross, Managing Director, Avison Young

Panel:
Bill Butler, Chairman, Springwood Land Corporation
Guy Scott, Founding Partner, WAM Development Group
Glenn Woolsey, CEO, York Realty

The city has seen a significant amount of office development in the last 3 years, all of which means that current building owners and managers are being forced to take stock of what they have. In addition, the current economic situation means that some organizations are taking a look at their current spaces and asking tough questions. How is the office market in Edmonton doing? Are B and C class building owners upping their game? Are tenants demanding more from landlords? Is there a flight to quality taking place, or are people staying put as they ride out the recession? Are some investors jumping ship and taking their money elsewhere? What does the panel predict will happen in the coming 12-20 months? Where are they placing their bets?

Moderator:
Cory Wosnack, Principal, Avison Young

Panel:
Scott Hutcheson, Executive Chairman of the Board, Aspen Properties
Jonas Locke, Vice President, Western Canada, RVA, Altus Group
Chris Nasim, Vice President, Asset Management, GWL Realty Advisors

Alberta is about more than oil. With a young, well-educated, highly-skilled population in the prime of their working life Edmonton is perfectly poised to take advantage of other industries. How can Edmonton build on the tech industry success already taking place? Are there other opportunities to invest in initiatives connected to healthcare, agriculture and education? What about alternative sources of energy like wind or solar? What other industries should Alberta look to in order to drive growth?

Moderator:
Kathleen McCabe, Director, Global Corporate Real Estate, Stantec

Panel:
Tiffany Linke-Boyko, Chief Operating Officer, Startup Edmonton
Chris Lumb, CEO, TEC Edmonton
Glen Vanstone, Vice President, Trade & Investment, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation

Luncheon Sponsored By

Technological innovation is changing the world, perhaps more rapidly than we think. Just as major cities are adjusting to Uber car sharing services, driver-less automobiles are being authorized for general use in several jurisdictions. New developments in digital medicine, ranging from nanorobots to tricorder health monitoring systems, have the potential to transform and personalize health care. Autonomous mining technique could revolutionize resource extraction. The speed of technological change is obvious and the reach of these transformations is becoming apparent. It remains to be seen, however, both how societies adapt to new technologies and which countries and regions will prosper in an age of constant scientific innovation. This presentation challenges Canadians to appreciate the implications of rapid technological change for the way we work, produce, learn, provide health care and care for the environment and to prepare themselves for success in the age of innovation.

Speaker:
Ken Coates, Canada’s Research Chair in Regional Innovation, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy & Director, International Centre for Northern Governance and Development

While the development pipeline in Calgary is reaching its end, the momentum in Edmonton continues with a number of projects in the downtown core and surrounding areas across the city. The session will examine the range of development activity, what are the underlying fundamentals supporting these projects, and what property classes are experiencing the greatness amount of interest. Specific examples of mixed-use and Transit-Oriented Development will also be discussed. How will the shifts in demographics impact density and consequently residential development? What will the Municipal Government Act mean for development costs? What other factors are developers contending with? The panel will comment on the costs of land and construction and the extent to which any of these have been affected by the economic environment within Alberta.

Moderator:
Chris Dulaba, Placemaker, Beljan Development Corporation

Panel:
Paul Chaput, Senior Vice President, CBRE Limited
Melanie Ducholke, CFO, Camgill Enterprises Ltd.
Rohit Gupta, President, Rohit Group of Companies
Ian Meredith, Consultant, Residential Advisory Services, Altus Group

Edmonton boasts some of the largest big box stores in Canada, including Canadian Tire, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart among others. Residents are also the most likely per capita to dine out, all of which some suggest is due to the high incomes in the city. But is this about to change? What other factors do retailers consider when investing in Edmonton? Is the city still a good bet when looking to expand? What keeps high-end retailers in the city? What are the trigger points for staying in a market? Who are the major players coming into the city? What makes this region so appealing?

Moderator:
Eric Slatter, Partner, Omada Commercial

Panel:
Brett Killips, Partner, Cushman & Wakefield
Dean Shaben, Senior Vice President, Leasing, West Edmonton Mall
Geoff Stollery, Vice President, Real Estate, Best Buy Canada

In 2015 multi-family units such as duplexes and townhomes saw an increase in sales, while condo sales decreased by 12%. Is multi-family rental the best residential bet in this market? Or is there still money to be made in condominiums? What are the major holdbacks for investors? Is the investment risk into rental properties worth the payback? Are citizens too attached to the idea of a single-family home? What does the next generation of homeowners want? Which solution best addresses the region’s demographics predictions for the next 5-10 years?

Moderator:
Michael Smith, Senior Vice President, Multi-Family, WAM Development

Panel:
Greg Christenson, President & Co-Owner, Christenson Developments
Anthony Lanni, Vice President, Asset Management, Residential, Bentall Kennedy (Canada) LP
Phil Milroy, President & CEO, Westcorp
George Schluessel, CEO, Procura Real Estate Services

Opportunities are created through hard work and dedication and this rings true for this closing panel. Hear from a panel of seasoned real estate executives as they share their experience with building high achieving organizations, managing through down cycles, encouraging high performing employees to stay motivated, and managing growth opportunities. This closing panel will also look at investing in the Edmonton market over the short and long term and offer valuable advice for young professionals looking to excel in their careers.

Moderator:
Brandon Kot, Managing Partner, Canada ICI

Panel:
Bruce Bentley, President & CEO, Maclab Enterprises
Kevin McKee, President, Pangman Development Corp.
Darin Rayburn, CEO, Melcor REIT