✎ goREAL 2021

Stefan Teague of Cushman & Wakefield engages Jonathan Pearce of Ivanhoé Cambridge (a global real estate leader with C$64 billion in AUM) and Jonathan Olynick of Manulife Investment Management (with 63 million square feet of space in 26 cities worldwide) over issues top of mind for investors in office and industrial sectors. Speakers assess the level of activity across their portfolios during the pandemic, outlining tenant relationship strategies, rent collection as well as flexibility with leasing terms aligning market realities with tenant needs. The panel delves into fundamentals to assess COVID-19 impact on vacancy and rent growth levels. Speakers dissect demographic/socio-economic trends and their implications for office demand (CBD vs suburban markets), footprint, on-site amenities. Switching to industrial, the experts examine the bull run for this asset class, identify challenges and approaches to scaling, and confirm growing appetite for supply-chain critical assets. The speakers also reflect on their acquisition strategies and assess investment opportunities in North America.

Student housing investment activity has been on the rise with significant amounts of institutional capital flowing into the asset class. We have invited top-tier U.S. investors to share insights into their strategies during the pandemic, to explain how the crises affected their portfolios and the markets, and what steps investors are taking to soften the impact of recession. The panelists reflect on the fundamentals, key industry trends and temporary shifts challenging the “recession resilient” reputation of the asset class as they reveal nuances and data pointing to sustained strong performance of the sector. Are we in a buyer’s market? How has COVID-19 impacted development and national supply pipeline? What changes and opportunities should investors anticipate with the new administration and as mass vaccination gets underway? Where will demand for student housing come from, and how are equity investors viewing the asset class?

COVID has accelerated trends happening in retail – one asset class most affected during the pandemic. Views and questions are many, and not everything is doom and gloom. A panel of senior executives/‘retail veterans’ share their thoughts on the fundamental changes retail is undergoing in North America, and what owners and retailers are doing to weather the storm. Although COVID has cemented the role of e-commerce, there will always be a place for bricks-and-mortar retailing. How can business marry physical and digital experiences to enhance and optimize customer experience? What creative ideas are there for retailers and owners to encourage more business? What will the malls of the future look like (think frictionless environment, last-mile distribution)? What land development opportunities are there for landlords? Tune in to hear from the experts.