Graaskamp Center Spring Board Conference and Dinner
Thursday, April 10 | 8:00am – Friday, April 11 | 5:00pm
Join Us! Connect, share ideas, and be inspired at this fun, engaging and informative conference that brings together over 150 real estate leaders from across the U.S. Discover cutting-edge insights as we bridge the expertise of industry and academia to learn about current and future trends in all sectors of real estate.
Seats are limited, so secure spot for you and your guest today! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in real estate. Board Members and thier guests receive complimentary registration.
How will real estate evolve in 2025 and beyond? Join top industry leaders at the Graaskamp Center Spring Board Conference for an insider’s look at the innovations, strategies, and policy changes shaping the future of the industry.
Key Highlights:
Dinner Keynote: Christopher Kennedy, Chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc. & Former President of Merchandise Mart Properties
Conference Keynote: Jeff DeBoer, President, Real Estate Roundtable, on the impact of the new Trump administration and industry updates from Washington.
Panels Will Cover:
✅ AI-driven analytics revolutionizing real estate decision-making
✅ Navigating risk management in an era of uncertainty
✅ Urban market headwinds & commercial property repositioning
✅ The intersection of technology, sustainability & investment strategies
Looking Ahead: From AI and climate resilience to adaptive reuse and capital markets, our panels will tackle the biggest industry challenges and opportunities. The conference closes with an exclusive CEO outlook on equity capital markets and economic trends shaping the future of real estate.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and connect with top industry players shaping the future of real estate!
Agenda
| Thursday | |
|---|---|
| 5:30 pm | Reception |
| 6:30 pm | Dinner |
| 7:00 – 7:10 pm | Opening Remarks: Jacques Gordon, Director, Graaskamp Center for Real Estate Introduction of Speaker: Glen Weiss, Evecutive Vice President and Co-Head of Real Estate, Vornado Realty Trust |
| 7:15 – 8:00 pm | Dinner Keynote: Chris Kennedy, Chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc. and Former President of the Merchandise Mart Properties |
| 8:00 pm | Informal Networking – London House Rooftop Bar |
| Friday | |
|---|---|
| 7:45 – 8:30 am | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:30 – 8:40 am | Welcome and Remarks: Jacques Gordon, Director, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate Introduction of Speaker: Graham Grady, Partner, Taft Law |
| 8:40 – 9:30 am | Morning Keynote: Jeff DeBoer, President, Real Estate Roundtable |
| 9:30 – 9:45 am | Networking Break |
| 9:45 – 10:45 am | Panel Session 1: Emerging Trends in Real Estate: The Intersection of AI, Risk Management, and Climate Resilience How are advancements in artificial intelligence and technology transforming the real estate industry while reshaping strategies for risk management and insurance? Panelists will discuss the growing role of AI-driven analytics in market forecasting, the rise of smart building technologies, and the increasing integration of automation and data-driven decision-making. Panelists will also examine how investors, developers, and insurers are leveraging proptech innovations to enhance efficiency, optimize asset performance, and manage risk in an era of climate uncertainty and evolving market dynamics. From predictive analytics shaping investment and underwriting strategies to the rise of green building innovations that influence insurance policies, this thought-provoking panel underscores how cutting-edge advancements are reshaping the built environment and positioning the industry for future growth. Moderator: Jacques Gordon, Director, Graaskamp Center Panelists: Ryan Barber, Gloabl Property Leader, AON Benjamin Breslau, Chief Research Officer, JLL Raphael Dawson, Principal, Walton Street Mary Ludgin, Senior Advisor of Investment Research and Global Investment Committee Member, Heitman |
| 10:45 – 11:00 am | Networking Break |
| 11:00 – 12:00 pm | Panel Session 2: Headwinds and Current Trends in Urban Markets Urban markets are grappling with high interest rates, changing office space needs, housing affordability challenges, and the push for more sustainable and adaptive reuse projects. This panel will bring together industry leaders and experts to dissect the headwinds impacting commercial real estate, from capital markets constraints to policy shifts affecting development and investment. Our discussion will also highlight key trends shaping urban markets, including the resurgence of mixed-use developments, the role of technology in reshaping the built environment, and how cities are responding to the hybrid work revolution. Moderator: Glen Weiss, Executive Vice President, Co-Heaed of Real Estate, Vornado Panelists: Liz Butler, Partner, Taft Joseph L. Pagliari, John Mazarakis and Chicago Atlantic Clinical Professor of Real Estate, University of Chicago Rebecca Rockey, Deputy Chief Economist and Global Head of Forecasting, Cushman & Wakefield |
| 12:00 – 1:00 pm | Luncheon |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Panel Session 3: Repositioning and Converting Commercial Real Estate Properties Explore the evolving landscape of commercial real estate and the strategies that investors and developers use to adapt underutilized properties to meet changing market demands. Panelists will discuss the economic and structural challenges of repositioning office, retail, and industrial spaces, as well as the growing trend of converting commercial properties into residential, mixed-use, or alternative asset classes. Learn how to address the financial, regulatory, and design considerations involved in adaptive reuse projects, highlighting case studies of successful conversions. The discussion also examines how shifting workforce trends, e-commerce growth, and sustainability goals drive new approaches to reimagining commercial real estate for long-term value and community impact. Moderator: Jessica Brown, Princicpal, Sterling Bay Panelists: Nooshin Felsenthal, Managing Director, Regional Director-Central US, Tishman Speyer Sheryl Schulze, Co-Managing Director, Building Transformation & Adaptive Reuse Leader, Principal, Gensler Tom Sitz, Executive Managing Director, Cushman and Wakefield |
| 2:00 – 3:00 pm | The CEO Outlook: The Future of Equity Capital Markets Industry leaders will share their insights on the opportunities and challenges facing real estate investors today. What should you be doing now to prepare for a changing cycle? What impact will inflation, interest rates, geopolitics and the new Trump administration have on the industry? This session will be broad ranging, covering real estate capital markets and operational issues, and will examine the implications of a changing environment for the real estate industry. This dynamic session will cover a wide range of topics, including real estate capital markets, operational strategies, and the leadership qualities essential for navigating an evolving industry landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable strategies from top experts. Moderator: Jacqueline Barlow, President of US Commercial Real Estate Banking, CIBC Panelists: Jim Martell, CEO, Logistics Property Company Dean Sotter, President and Founding Partner, Grandview Partners Erin Spears, President, Fifield Companies Leon Walker, Managing Principal, DL3 |
| 3:00 pm | Closing Remarks: Jacques Gordon, Director, Graaskamp Center |
Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors!
- Associated Bank
- CBRE
- CIBC
- Clayco
- The Goldie Initiative
- Logistics Property Company, LLC
- Sterling Bay
- Taft Law Firm
- U.S. National Title Services, LLC
- Vornado Realty Trust
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities are Still Available! Why Sponsor?
- Make connections, share ideas and be inspired. Harness the power of leading minds from industry and academia. Connect with over real estate leaders from across the U.S. who are as passionate as you are about the real estate industry.
- Reinforce your brand as an industry leader by being a part of a best-in-class conference and supporting the Wisconsin Real Estate Program, which was again ranked #1 by the 2024-25 US News and World Report.
- Increase your company’s visibility and exposure to an invitation-only audience of 150 key decision makers in the industry, as well as our Real Estate MBA and MS students.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Thursday, April 10 – Dinner
$2,500 Reception (3 complimentary attendees)- $5,000 Dinner (4 complimentary attendees)
$2,500 Dinner Keynote (3 complimentary attendees)
Friday, April 11 – Conference
$2,000 Networking Breakfast (2 complimentary attendees)$3,000 Luncheon (4 complimentary attendees)- $1,500 Panel 2 out of 4 opporunities available! (1 complimentary attendee)
$2,500 Conference Keynote (3 complimentary attendees)$1,500 Networking Break (1 complimentary attendee)
General sponsorships are also available at a variety of levels. Reach out to Genie Trewyn if interested in sponsoring.
