Those registered for RealLeasing automatically have free admission to the following Colliers International Knowledge Leaders Series.
Introduction and Host for Opening Session:
Scott Addison, President, Eastern Canada, Colliers International
Speaker:
Tom Keenan, Professor, Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Technology & Cyber Expert and Author of Technocreep
Tom Keenan combines deep technical knowledge with lively insights into how to maximize the benefits of technology while minimizing the risks. He was educated at Columbia University, and is a popular professor of Environmental Design and Computer Science at the University of Calgary. Tom taught Canada’s first computer crime course and has investigated major cyber security disasters that made the news, and many that didn’t. He served on the Government of Canada’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Smart Communities, and helps select the Intelligent Community of the Year. The 2013 winner was Toronto, buoyed by achievements from Waterfront Toronto to the MaRS Discovery District. Tom is a passionate believer in the power of technology to improve the built and human environments, and in the need for decision makers to embrace it intelligently. In his best-selling book, Technocreep, he dissects many of the darkest corners of technology. Tom will share insights on:
Four major theme areas with four sessions each. The program for RealLeasing 2015 has been designed to offer the greatest possible value and flexibility to asset managers, leasing executives, corporate real estate directors, in-house legal counsel, lawyers in private practice, commercial real estate brokers and others.
A wide range of the most significant leasing trends, issues, challenges, and strategies were identified and then grouped into four theme areas with each one offering four sessions.
You have a choice of attending all the sessions of a particular theme or selecting up to four various topics in two or more theme areas to make up your itinerary for the day.
THEME A
UPDATE ON LEASING MARKETS BY ASSET TYPE ACROSS THE GTA
THEME B
LEGAL ISSUES, PERSPECTIVES & BEST PRACTICES IN TODAY’S LEASING MARKET
THEME C
STRATEGIC TRENDS & MARKET CHALLENGES
THEME D
ASSET MANAGEMENT & LEASE NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES: CASE STUDIES AND INTERACTIVE SESSIONS
9:25 a.m. – Session A1
9:25 a.m. – Session B1
9:25 a.m. – Session C1
9:25 a.m. – Session D1
10:50 a.m. – Session A2
10:50 a.m. – Session B2
10:50 a.m. – Session C2
10:50 a.m. – Session D2
1:30 p.m. – Session A3
1:30 p.m. – Session B3
1:30 p.m. – Session C3
1:30 p.m. – Session D3
2:40 p.m. – Session A4
2:40 p.m. – Session B4
2:40 p.m. – Session C4
2:40 p.m. – Session D4
The downtown Toronto office market is comprised of approximately 400 buildings totaling over 70 million square feet. Some 25 of these properties were built in the past fifteen years. This new “Class A” stock comprises a mere 10% of the inventory. The remainder – some 62 million square feet – is aging and requiring in some instances significant cosmetic and infrastructure upgrades to remain competitive and counter the “flight to quality” currently taking place among tenants. What are the key leasing trends? How is the “brick and beam” market doing vs. the older legacy towers? What are prevailing rents and where are they heading? The flight to quality, the trickle up theory and the issue of suburban tenants moving downtown: are these short term characteristics? What is creating demand for new space particularly if many larger corporations are re-evaluating their real estate footprints with the intention of reducing them? What are Class B and C buildings doing to remain competitive with new space and avoid higher vacancies?
Sandy McNair
Kevin Hardy
John Knechtel
Tim Low
Jeff Thomas
Glenn Way
Moderator:
Sandy McNair, President, Altus InSite
Panel:
Kevin Hardy, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management, Dream Office REIT
John Knechtel, Vice President, Leasing, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Tim Low, Vice President, National Leasing, Allied Properties REIT
Jeff Thomas, Managing Partner & Broker, Ashlar Urban Realty Inc.
Glenn Way, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, GWL Realty Advisors Inc.
Jane Helmstadter
Sheldon Disenhouse
Leanne Fasciano
Nancy Prenevost
Cory Sherman
Moderator:
Jane Helmstadter, Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Panel:
Sheldon Disenhouse, Partner, Dentons Canada LLP
Leanne Fasciano, Associate, McLean & Kerr LLP
Nancy Prenevost, Vice President, Legal, Oxford Properties Group Inc.
Cory Sherman, Partner, Sherman Brown Barristers & Solicitors
A discussion on how leasing strategies are shifting towards attracting tenants and standing out through creative renovations, positioning, and the uniqueness of the property. From REITs and pension fund advisors to passive equity investors and privately-owned companies, the range of asset management practices, policies and strategies in today’s market can be quite considerable. One challenge they are addressing is how a real estate entity grows in a market where there has been a decline in investment activity. Aside from developing new properties in some instances, their focus is on creating greater value from their existing assets. This session will examine how leasing transactions and activities are part of the core of growing a building’s NAV. Discussion will focus on a broad range of topics including: how important is operational excellence as a way to raise the quality of the landlord’s brand in this very competitive leasing market and to tenant retention; and how are landlords using creative renovations and positioning of the property as a strategy to attract tenants. What are some of the most effective ways of increasing the value of your existing assets while in turn providing greater value to your tenants? How important is tenant retention to building owners and managers? If so, then what practices should they be following in dealing with tenants during the life of a lease? What key benchmarks and metrics are being used by landlords to evaluate their real estate portfolio performance?
Antoinette Tummillo
David Hoffman
Nick Stryland
Theresa Warnaar
Moderator:
Antoinette Tummillo, Executive Vice President, Canada, Real Estate Management Services, Colliers International
Panel:
David Hoffman, General Manager, Toronto-Dominion Centre, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Nick Stryland, Vice President, Portfolio Management, Central Region, Dream Industrial REIT
Theresa Warnaar, Vice President, Portfolio Management, Retail, KingSett Capital
Catherine Bray
Maurice Mazerolle
Speakers:
Catherine Bray, Partner & National Leader, Commercial Leasing Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Maurice Mazerolle, Associate Professor, Human Resources/Organizational Behaviour, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University
Given the volume of new development in downtown Toronto, there is a considerable amount of “spin” that a surprising number of tenants are leaving suburban office locations and heading into the inner city. To what extent is this trend true? How much migration is there actually and why? Are we facing a growing unbalanced and highly segmented market where an increasing number of 905 office buildings will face leasing challenges? Or is more occurring here than meets the eye? Over 100 million sq.ft. of GTA office space is outside the downtown core. How much other new space is coming onto the market from purpose-built office projects and mixed-use developments across the 905? In terms of suburban leasing activity, is the West still best or do Vaughan, Markham and other nodes have compelling benefits that are attracting tenants? What is the profile of the tenants in the suburban markets? This panel discussion will provide some clarity to the overall GTA suburban office market.
Werner Deitl
David Carreiro
Adam Lazier
John Shields
Scott Watson
Moderator:
Werner Dietl, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Toronto West Office CBRE Limited
Panel:
David Carreiro, Executive Vice President, First Gulf Corporation
Adam Lazier, Partner, Slate Asset Management LP
John Shields, Vice President, Leasing, Dream Office REIT
Scott Watson, Partner, Leasing & Marketing, Crown Realty Partners
A fast-paced session that will cover an assortment of “odds and sods” that people often experience in the leasing process and do not always fully understand. Each issue will be addressed by a legal expert in approximately eight minutes or less. Among the questions that will be covered are the following:
Harvey Haber
Laurie Sanderson
David Thompson
Speakers:
Harvey Haber, Q.C., Senior Partner, Goldman Sloan Nash & Haber LLP
Laurie Sanderson, Partner, Gowlings Lafleur Henderson LLP
David Thompson, Partner, WeirFoulds LLP
Every strong community has a vibrant mixed-use core where people gather: where commerce, culture, recreation, entertainment, education and inspiration meet. This session will examine how economic, demographic and social forces are reshaping all of the cities within the GTA, and what the implications of these key trends are for real estate development activity going forward. What type of innovative and successful projects are emerging? What are the factors responsible for the trend towards more mixed-use development? What are some of the complex leasing issues associated with mixed-use projects and the different interests of the joint venture partners (residential vs. retail vs. office vs. hotel)? How are these different users creating challenges to operational harmony? Can placing large tenants into multi-use projects create issues? Specific examples will be used to identify and evaluate the challenges that may arise. For example, how is the typical floor plate adjusted for retail uses; what happens when you develop a retail lease within a condominium setting; and how do you manage the parking provisions when customers for the retailers use spaces reserved for the residents in the building?
Richard Martz
Greg Evans
Jeff Hull
Godyne Sibay
Tom Smith
Ashley Wedlock
Moderator:
Richard Martz, Partner & Principal, LiveWorkLearnPlay
What can be done to resolve these differences? Are there any particular creative ways to complete a successful transaction? What are some styles of negotiations that can be particularly effective? What is the importance of determining desired outcomes before negotiations begin? How long should it take to finalize a deal? Under what circumstances would an owner offer an inducement or allowance in this market? How can leasing transactions and activities be influenced by, and differ among, various types of asset managers?
Stephen Messinger
Jon Dawson
Nick Macrae
Angela Mockford
John Peets
Moderator:
Stephen Messinger, Senior Partner, Minden Gross LLP
Panel:
Jon Dawson, Director, Transactions, Enterprise Real Estate, TD Bank Group
Nick Macrae, Senior Portfolio Manager, Real Estate, HOOPP
Angela Mockford, Lawyer, WeirFoulds LLP
John Peets, Vice President, Leasing, Oxford Properties Group Inc.
Take advantage of this opportunity to participate in informal discussions on the dynamics of key legal issues, market trends, and transaction activity. 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 that will be held as an extension of the luncheon. Discussion topics will include:
Topic 1: Downtown Office Market and New Developments
Sandy McNair, President, Altus InSite (Group 1A)
Jeff Thomas, Managing Partner & Broker, Ashlar Urban Realty Inc. (Group 1B)
Topic 2: Suburban Office Market Across the 905
Howard Bogler, Senior Vice President & Practice Lead, Suburban Tenant Representation, JLL
Topic 3: Industrial Leasing Market in the GTA
Gord Cook, Executive Vice President, Colliers International
Topic 4: Retail Leasing Market Trends in the GTA
Matthew Smith, Senior Vice President, National Retail Investment Group, JLL
Topic 5: Urban Retail Formats: Trends in Downtown Toronto
Chris Tarrant, Executive Vice President, Real Estate Services, Oberfeld Snowcap Inc.
Topic 6: Role of Technology and Social Media in Marketing and Leasing
Shawna Rogowski, Director, Altus InSite
Topic 7: The Continuing Debate Over Operating Costs
Bob Fraser, Associate, Real Estate Group, McMillan LLP and Blair Brooks, Legal Counsel, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Topic 8: Landlord & Tenant Rights During Building Renovations/Demolitions
Jamie Paquin, Partner and Jenna Morley, Associate, Daoust Vukovich LLP
Topic 9: Five Lease Clauses That Do Not Get Enough Respect
Syll Kushner, Partner, Gowlings LLP (Group 9A)
Lauren Dalton, Associate and Michael Gilburt, Associate, Blaney McMurtry LLP (Group 9B)
Topic 10: The Challenges of Leasing in Mixed-Use Developments
Karsten Lee, Partner, WeirFoulds LLP
Gord Cook
Hanan Goldfarb
Chris Holtved
Matthew Johnson
Jonathan Rovira
Moderator:
Gord Cook, Executive Vice President, Colliers International
An interactive session featuring tenants, landlords, brokers and lawyers examining key points of view and the potential to create a simpler modern day lease. To what extent is this feasible and possible? An increasing number of clients, for example, are making explicit demands on what they want to pay for the legal work involved and what their timing expectations are. What would need to change in order to speed up the process? Everyone has the same goal – to get the deal done. So what creates the challenges to expediting the leasing process and the executed document? How are other cultures and legal systems doing deals in their markets? What can we learn and leverage from outside Canada? With all the changes in technology should we rethink the way deals get done, eg. electronic signatures. Elements of standard lease provisions will be examined for potential modifications. Variations will be explored, comparing the position of the landlord to the perspective of a tenant for retail, office and industrial space. Collaboration, flexibility, efficiencies, cost effectiveness, complexity – how can these also be applied to creating a more expeditious lease.
Lisa Borsook
Merv Allen
Dennis Daoust
Jordan Hill
Monty Warsh
Moderator:
Lisa Borsook, Executive Partner, WeirFoulds LLP
Panel:
Merv Allen, Senior Director, Legal Counsel, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited
Dennis Daoust, Partner, Daoust Vukovich LLP
Jordan Hill, Director, Legal Services, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
Monty Warsh, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP
Natalie Vukovich
John Brunt
Glenn Featherstone
Jodi Shpigel
Ellen Williamson
Moderator:
Natalie Vukovich, Partner, Daoust Vukovich LLP
Panel:
John Brunt, Partner, Blaney McMurtry LLP
Glenn Featherstone, Vice President, Retail Leasing, Morguard
Jodi Shpigel, Senior Vice President, Central Canada, First Capital Realty Inc.
Ellen Williamson, Vice President, Legal & Assistant General Counsel, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited
A considerable number of office and retail tenants are undertaking projects to enhance their workplace environments, to open a new store location or to upgrade an existing one. This session will examine how a construction schedule really works and the key elements of effective project management. The goal will be to provide strategic advice on how to successfully manage a buildout or leasehold improvement (from the perspective of a landlord or a tenant) in today’s market. Discussion will cover such as issues as: being ready on time; managing project costs given the uncertainty in labour, material, and construction costs; the principal phases of a project; key milestones; and delivery dates and penalties. What are defined as tenant space vs. landlord space within the floor of a building? What are their respective work obligations? How are a constructor’s obligations affected when the scope of work has been altered? How important are measurement clauses in a lease with respect to tenant build-outs? What are the implications of delays in completing a project, eg. what causes them, how do you deal with them, what are the penalties and for whom? Who is responsible for the cost of capital expenditures vs. common building maintenance? What are some of the most common strategies for upgrading an older building to meet current and changing tenant needs and expectations?
Michael Harvey
Gerard McCabe
Gary Stanhope
Jon Taylor
Eric Yorath
Moderator:
Michael Harvey, Managing Director, MJH Realty Advisors Inc.
Panel:
Gerard McCabe, Managing Director, Canada, Turner & Townsend
Gary Stanhope, Vice President, MHPM Project Managers Inc.
Jon Taylor, Senior Partner & Co-Owner, Govan Brown & Associates Ltd.
Eric Yorath, Principal, figure3
Matthew Smith
Toran Eggert
Jeff Ross
Nicole St-Louis
Chris Tarrant
Moderator:
Matthew Smith, Senior Vice President, National Retail Investment Group, JLL
Panel:
Toran Eggert, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management, Primaris Management Inc.
Jeff Ross, Senior Vice President, Leasing, RioCan REIT
Nicole St-Louis, Counsel, Commercial Real Estate Group, Ottawa, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Chris Tarrant, Executive Vice President, Real Estate Services, Oberfeld Snowcap Inc.
A fast paced analysis and discussion of significant legal cases and judgments that developers, landlords, tenants, brokers, lenders, and lawyers practicing in the real estate field need to be aware of and must understand. The focus will be on practical information pertaining to important precedents that can have an impact on all parties involved in commercial real estate transactions and activity. A key part of the discussion will focus on good faith and bargaining. This will include an examination of the Bahsin Hrynew case which involved a unanimous Supreme Court of Canada decision recognizing that good faith contractual performance is a general organizing principle of Canadian common law, and that parties to a contract are under a duty to act honestly in the performance of their contractual obligations. The case marked the first time our highest court has examined whether parties owe a duty of good faith in contractual performance. What does this mean in a leasing context? How should you deal with consent both pre and post negotiation?
Stephen Posen
Melissa McBain
Susan Rosen
William Rowlands
Sarah Turney
Moderator:
Stephen Posen, Senior Partner, Minden Gross LLP
Panel:
Melissa McBain, Partner, Daoust Vukovich LLP
Susan Rosen, Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
William Rowlands, Partner, Co-Chair Commercial Leasing Group, McMillan LLP
Sarah Turney, Associate, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Jim McIntosh
Catherine Bray
Joseph Grignano
Michael Mackenzie
Moderator:
Jim McIntosh, Senior Vice President, Colliers International
Panel:
Catherine Bray, Partner & National Leader, Commercial Leasing Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Joseph Grignano, Partner, Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP
Michael Mackenzie, President, Skyline Commercial Asset Management Inc.
Peter McFarlane
Lucas Manuel
Rodney McDonald
Jonathan Olynick
Moderator:
Peter McFarlane, Vice President, LaSalle Investment Management
Panel:
Lucas Manuel, Vice President, Asset Management, Slate Asset Management LP
Rodney McDonald, Principal, Consulting & Project Management Services, Avison Young
Jonathan Olynick, Managing Director, Leasing & Asset Management, Manulife Real Estate