In this, my first IAMC Insider letter as 2018-19 Chair of IAMC’s board of directors, I’d like to report back to you about the Philadelphia Professional Forum and briefly look toward our next Forum in Santa Barbara, California.
Many Philadelphia Forum attendees will name the Tuesday night networking reception with fireworks finale as the conference’s most memorable event, which was put on by the Georgia Allies, IAMC’s only Premier Sponsor. But allow me to point out a number of other highlights.
Chair, IAMC Board of Directors
Among the marquee speakers, Frits van Paasschen, former CEO of Starwood Hotels, achieved the highest survey rating, followed closely by futurist Nancy Giordano, who informed and energized the Wednesday closing-program attendees. She made a compelling case for adding the qualities of compassion, curiosity, empathy and agency to our everyday business vocabulary.
Among the general sessions, I’d also like to recognize the Monday afternoon Shell polymers facility site selection case study, which showcased this mega-project with presenters from Shell, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the State of Pennsylvania and JLL. The program nicely complemented and delivered on the Forum theme, "The Manufacturing Renaissance."
The Forum’s four top-rated programs were all professional development sessions delivered by member subject-matter experts. Here they are starting with the highest rated:
- "Corporate Real Estate Implications of Common Supply Chain Models," Blaine Kelley, CBRE; Richard Lawless, Georgia Pacific Co.
- "Understanding the Prologis Clear Lease," Steve Kimball, Prologis
- "Two Short, High-Impact Talks": (1) "2017 Tax Reform Legislation Impact on Manufacturing and Industrial Incentives," by Julie Dow, Lockheed Martin Corp., and Kate Crowley, Baker Tilly Capital; and (2) "Calculating Total Incentive Package Value — Reality versus Smoke and Mirrors," by Eric Nieukirk, Caterpillar Co., and Tracey Bosman, Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co.
- "Lease-Versus-Own Analysis Under the New Lease Standards," Louis J. Battagliese Jr., Jackson Cross Partners.
On behalf of IAMC, I extend a hearty "thank you!" to the 22-member Pennsylvania Host Committee for their seed funding, hard work, planning and follow-through support for the Philadelphia Forum.
With Philadelphia successfully under our belt, we’re looking forward to an exciting spring Professional Forum May 4-8, 2019, in sunny Santa Barbara, California. The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort will host all the event’s education sessions and networking programs with the notable exceptions of the Sunday Welcome Reception and Dinner at the Santa Barbara Zoo and the Tuesday Networking Reception at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.
The conference theme is "Innovations in Corporate Real Estate." Steve Forbes, publisher, and business commentator, will deliver the keynote address.
I urge you to register now.
Best regards,
Charles Waltz
Chair, IAMC Board of Directors