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Graaskamp Center Spring Board Conference
Thursday, April 18 | 5:30pm – Friday, April 19 | 3:00pm
Conference Co-Sponsors
The Goldie Initiative
Kelley Construction
Graaskamp board members and guests are invited to join over 140 real estate leaders, Wisconsin Real Estate graduate students, faculty and guests at the Chicago Club in Chicago on April 18th-19th, 2024. As the real estate industry – and the world around us – continues its rapid evolution as a result of the global pandemic, you’ll hear from industry thought leaders and visionaries on how to navigate the real estate landscape. Panel sessions and case studies will bring to life the challenges and agility needed when doing business in today’s rapidly changing environment.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a long and honored tradition of excellence in education and research in the discipline of real estate and urban land economics and our Real Estate Program is the #1 Public Real Estate Program by US News and World Report. The Graaskamp Center for Real Estate is setting the standard for real estate education in the new millennium.
Board members and their guests receive complimentary registration. Capacity is limited so register to learn and connect with your fellow board members, students and faculty at this fun, lively and informative event!
Agenda
Thursday, April 18
| 5:30 pm | Reception (Mezzanine Lounge) Sponsored by Draper and Kramer, Inc. |
| 6:30 pm | Dinner (Daniel Burnham Room) Sponsored by the Goldie Initiative and Keeley Construction |
| 7:00 – 7:10 pm | Opening Remarks: Michael Brennan, Irgens Executive Director, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate Mark Eppli, Director, Graaskamp Center |
| 7:15-8:00 pm | Dinner Keynote Sponsored by CIBC Keynote Presenter: Mike Knetter, President, University of Wisconsin Foundation |
| 8:00 pm | Informal Gathering (Chicago Club Lounge) |
Friday, April 19
| Friday | April 19 |
|---|---|
| 7:30 – 8:15 am | Networking Breakfast (Daniel Burnham Room) Sponsored by CBRE |
| 8:15 – 8:30 am | Welcome and Remarks: Michael Brennan, Irgens Executive Director, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate (Daniel Burnham Room) |
| 8:30 – 9:30 am | Morning Keynote Presentation Sponsored by Associated Bank Presenter: Ivo Daalder, Former Ambassador to NATO and President, CEO of Chicago Council on Global Affairs |
| 9:30 – 9:45 am | Networking Break Sponsored by First American Title Insurance Company |
| 9:45 – 10:45 am | Session 1: Nearshoring: Driving Growth Across North American Markets Sponsored by Goldman Sachs Shockwaves from the global pandemic and heightened geopolitical uncertainty exposed the hidden fragility of supply chains across the world. Facing inflationary pressures, shortages of labor and raw materials, and congested supply chains, companies have come to realize that manufacturing products a world away from the end consumer can create additional obstacles and make operations more costly and less predictable. As a result, more companies are “nearshoring” or moving their operations closer to the market they serve to safeguard themselves against disruptions and cater to the higher consumer expectations who want their products fast. Mexico is uniquely positioned to serve North America given its proximity. In addition, the transition from free trade agreements between the United States, Canada and Mexico like NAFTA to USMCA will keep pushing for more incentives. Expert panelists will discuss how nearshoring is driving significant growth in manufacturing and real estate in Mexico. Topics such as robotics, industrialization, labor costs, and free trade will be discussed. Moderator: Lyman Daniels, President and CEO, CBRE Mexico Panelists: Andrew McDonald-Hughes, CFO, FIBRA Macquarie Federico Martin del Campo, Managing Partner and CEO, Walton Street Capital Mexico Javier Llaca, Founder and Principal, Fibra Monterrey |
| 10:45 – 11:00 am | Networking Break Sponsored by Brennan Investment Group |
| 11:00-12:00 pm | Session 2: New Era for Senior Housing: The Silver Tsunami has Arrived Sponsored by Brennan Investment Group For decades now, developers have been building up for a demographic wave of baby boomers aging into seniors housing. We’ve all heard the numbers: 10,000 Americans will turn 80 every day starting in 2025. By 2030, all 73 million boomers will be of retirement age. The growth is widespread, across urban, suburban, and rural communities, and sharpest among the baby boomers who have begun entering their 80s in this decade. With baby boomers now aging into seniors housing in staggering numbers, how does the industry best serve this new generation of prospective residents? In addition to providing an overview of the challenges and opportunities in senior living, our panelists will discuss several emerging trends, including: active adult senior housing, university based senior living communities, and the increasing challenge of serving seniors while confronting higher labor costs, construction costs, and balancing the ability for seniors to afford the lifestyle they desire and the care they need. Join us to learn more about the growing opportunities in this unique sector of the real estate industry. Moderator: Chuck Murphy, EVP/Senior Managing Director, LCS Panelists: Lisa McCracken, Head of Research and Analytics, NIC Lynn Daly, Executive Vice President, HJ Sims Regina Umanskiy, President and CEO, Franciscan Minisstries |
| 12:00 – 1:00 pm | Luncheon (Daniel Burnham Room) Sponsored by U.S. National Title Services |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Session 3: Pivoting from Core Real Estate Markets: How to Tap into Opportunities in Data Centers Sponsored by Goldman Sachs Data centers, once considered very much an alternative asset class that was overshadowed by the demand for general warehouses, are now keenly sought by commercial real estate. The growth of the data center market is being fueled by data-hungry applications such as e-commerce, cloud gaming, the metaverse and AI, plus the introduction of 5G and the increase in remote work. Modern life would be essentially impossible without data centers and their storage capacity. What are the risks and rewards of investing in data centers as an asset class? Panelists who are key players in this market will answer this question and discuss the national data center market, new developments and acquisitions, supply and demand dynamics, as well as construction, development, and design trends. Moderator: Kevin Brennan, Managing Principal, Brennan Investment Group Panelists: Michael Borchetta, Director, Harrison Street Carson Pierce, Officer, Investments and Portfolio Management, National Real Estate Advisors Greg Rowles, Managing Director, Development & Construction, Powerhouse Data Centers (an AREP-owned subsidiary) Brian Tanner, Broker, KBC Advisors |
| 2:00- 3:00 pm | Session 4: The CEO Outlook: A View from the Top Sponsored by First National Bank of Omaha Industry leaders will share their insights on the opportunities and challenges facing real estate investors today. How long a runway does the current business cycle have? What should you be doing now to prepare for a changing cycle? What impact will the policies 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 asset class. Moderator: Michael Brennan, Irgens Executive Director, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate Panelists: Rajesh Menon, CEO, Grandview Partners Tim Crane, President adn CEO, Wintrust Peter Borzak, CEO, Pine Tree |
| 3:00 pm | Closing Remarks and Adjourn Mark Eppli, Director, James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate |
Why should your organization sponsor the Spring Board Conference?
The Graaskamp Center Spring Dinner and Conference offers sponsors premium opportunities to increase your company’s visibility and exposure to an audience of approximately 150+ key decision-makers in the industry, as well as our Real Estate graduate students. Not only will you reinforce your brand as an industry leader by being a part of a best-in-class conference, you’ll also be supporting the Wisconsin Real Estate Program, which is ranked #1 by the 2023-24 U.S. News and World Report survey.
Available Sponsorships!
- $1,500 – Session – One Remaining
- $1,500 – Networking Breaks; 1 complimentary registration – One Remaining
There are also a limited number of General Event Sponsorships available. We would be happy to customize a sponsor package for your organization based on your desired level.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Join us at the Graaskamp Center Spring Board Dinner and Conference and you will:
Connect with 150+ Graaskamp Center board members, alumni, and Wisconsin Real Estate graduate students at our fun and informative Spring Board Dinner and Conference at the Chicago Club on April 18-19, 2024.
As the real estate industry – and the world around us – continues its rapid evolution, you’ll hear from industry and academic thought leaders on how to navigate the current rapidly evolving real estate landscape.
Marked by a myriad of mixed signals about the health and trajectory of our industry, real estate leaders will hear perspectives on what’s shaping the next phase of real estate ownership and investment. From inflation to rising interest rates, our expert panelists and keynote presenters will bring to life the challenges of and agility needed when doing business in today’s rapidly changing environment. With the right strategies and understanding of the current situation, you can make informed decisions and find opportunities that work for you. Hear about compelling real estate investment opportunities that are that extend past traditional residential real estate opportunities, including nearshoring, data centers and senior housing.
For those looking to deploy capital, nontraditional property types may offer stability through diversification
Parking options near The Chicago Club
All events will take place at The Chicago Club.
Grant Park Public South Garage
Location: If driving Southbound on Michigan Ave, the entrance will be accessible from the left lane between Jackson and Adams. If driving Northbound on Michigan Ave, the entrance will be from the left lane just after Van Buren Street.
Staff on Duty: None Self-Park
Park One
Location: Northwest corner of Van Buren and Wabash, with the 24hr entrance on Wabash.
Staff on Duty: 24 Hours.
LAZ Parking
Location: Southeast corner of Van Buren and Wabash, with the 24hr entrance on both Van Buren and Wabash.
Staff on Duty: None Self-Park
