CRE.Converge 2021

About CRE.Converge

Date: Monday, September 27, 2021 - Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Where: Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami Beach, Florida

Reconnect with your colleagues and partners across North America at CRE.Converge, NAIOP’s annual conference covering all aspects of commercial real estate! There’s no match for the energy and friendly atmosphere that are a signature of the event. Hear from the brightest minds in the business and come away reenergized with new professional connections and insights, all while enjoying beautiful Miami Beach.

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NAIOP’s CRE.Converge 2021: Back and Better Than Ever

Agenda

* Schedule is subject to change.

Day 1 Agenda

Sunday, September 26, 2021

11:30 a.m.

Registration open

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET

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noon

Executive Committee Meeting

Time: noon - 3 p.m. ET

Open only to members of the Executive Committee.

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2 p.m.

Research Foundation Fundraising Committee

Time: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Open only to members of the Fundraising Committee for the NAIOP Research Foundation.

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3 p.m.

Research Foundation Research Committee

Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET

Open only to members of the Research Committee for the NAIOP Research Foundation.

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4 p.m.

Research Foundation Trustees Meeting

Time: 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET

Open only to Trustees for the NAIOP Research Foundation.

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6 p.m.

NAIOP Corporate Board of Directors Reception and Dinner

Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET

Open only to members of the NAIOP Corporate Board of Directors.

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Day 2 Agenda

Monday, September 27, 2021

7 a.m.

Registration open

Time: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET

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7:30 a.m.

Corporate Committee and Subcommittee Meetings

Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. ET

By invitation only.

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8 a.m.

New Corporate Board Orientation

Time: 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. ET

Open only to members of the NAIOP Corporate Board of Directors.

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8 a.m.

Miami Industrial Tour

Time: 8 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. ET

Don’t miss your chance to stay cool while checking out some of the hottest industrial properties in the Miami area! Start with a behind-the-scenes look at a cutting-edge Lineage Logistics Cold Storage facility in Hialeah, Florida. Next, tour Miami 27 Business Park, a Duke Realty project on the site of a former lumber yard, converted to over 723,000 square feet of Class A industrial warehouse space in Medley, Florida. Finally, cool off with other tour attendees at the M.I.A. Beer Company, a craft brewery and taproom in Doral, Florida, known for incorporating exotic and locally sourced ingredients.

Ticketed event; $100 fee. Limited to 48 people.

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8:15 a.m.

Wynwood Art District Walking Tour

Time: 8:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Join Goldman Properties for a private walking tour of the vibrant Wynwood Art District. This tour will tell the story of this once-blighted area, which was redeveloped into Miami’s trendiest neighborhood. The tour will begin at Wynwood Walls, a captivating open-air street art collection, and continue through the neighborhood, highlighting various properties and developments, including a stop at the 545 Wyn Building, the first modern class A office building in the neighborhood. The tour will conclude at 11 a.m. at the lively and unique Wynwood Building, where tour attendees are welcome to attend the Wynwood Art District Culinary Tour, which begins at 11 a.m. at the same location (separate registration required). Staff will be on site to direct participants.

Ticketed event; $75 fee.

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9:30 a.m.

NAIOP Corporate Board of Directors Meeting

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. ET

Open only to members of the NAIOP Corporate Board of Directors.

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11 a.m.

Wynwood Art District Culinary Tour

Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Spend a leisurely afternoon enchanted by eclectic art and exquisite food in Miami’s trendiest and most vibrant neighborhood, the Wynwood Art District, recognized globally as a premier destination for art, fashion, innovation and creative enterprise. In this private guided tour, you’ll dine your way through favorite local restaurants in one of the largest open-air street art collections in the world! Take part in a culinary adventure and discover the different cultures behind Miami’s diverse food scene.

Ticketed event; $200 fee.

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11:45 a.m.

NAIOP Annual Meeting and Passing of the Gavel

Time: 11:45 a.m. - noon ET

All conference attendees and NAIOP members are invited to as we show our appreciation for the excellent service and leadership of 2021 Chair Molly Carson, Ryan Companies, and welcome the 2022 Executive Committee led by Jeffrey Milanaik, Bridge Development Partners LLC.

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noon

Joint Governors and Industry Trends Task Force

Time: noon - 3 p.m. ET

Open only to Foundation Governors and members of the Industry Trends group.

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12:30 p.m.

Chapter Presidents and Presidents-elect

Time: 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET

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4 p.m.

Exhibits Open

Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. ET

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4 p.m.

NAIOP Gives Back: U.S. Hunger

Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. ET

NAIOP is kicking off CRE.Converge 2021 with a fun, high-energy and hands-on meal packing event. Join your colleagues, friends and new connections as we pack 20,000 meals for people struggling with food insecurity in partnership with U.S. Hunger. Attendees will form teams of 10, work side by side to assemble healthy meals, battle other teams in fun challenges, all in support of the greater Miami community.

Developing Leaders from the NAIOP South Florida chapter are invited to stay after the event for a complimentary CRE.Converge welcome reception from 5-7 p.m. at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

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5 p.m.

Welcome Reception

Time: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. ET

Strengthen existing partnerships and expand your network with new connections during this kick-off event. Meet fellow conference attendees, sponsors and exhibitors who can help you achieve your business goals.

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7 p.m.

Research Foundation Governors Dinner

Time: 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. ET

By invitation only.

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Day 3 Agenda

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

6:30 a.m.

Registration open

Time: 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET

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7 a.m.

Exhibits open

Time: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET

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7:30 a.m.

General Session: Breakfast Keynote – Marc Zandi

Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. ET

Speaker:
Mark Zandi
Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics
Co-founder, Moody's Economy.com

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9:15 a.m.

National Leadership Training

Time: 9:15 a.m. - noon ET

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9:15 a.m.

Networking Break in Exhibits

Time: 9:15 a.m. - 9:25 a.m. ET

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9:25 a.m.

Adaptive Reuse of Big Box Retail

Time: 9:25 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. ET

The evolution of retail has created a dynamic of winners and losers within the big box retail space. Power centers, malls, freestanding wholesalers and others, some of which are in densely populated infill locations, are being reused and repurposed for a multitude of uses, from creative office to industrial distribution to apartments. In this panel, hear from three industry leaders paving the way for the adaptive reuse of big box retail. Each will share a redevelopment case study, and highlight the challenges faced and the lessons learned.

Moderator: Jason Ting, Owner, Ting Realty

Panelists:
Christopher Barton, Executive Vice President, Development and Capital Investments, Hudson Pacific Properties
Peter Brodsky, Owner, Red Bird Development Group
Bryan Kaminski, Senior Vice President, RedLeaf Properties

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9:25 a.m.

The Life Science Real Estate Ecosystem

Time: 9:25 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. ET

The life sciences sector has been labeled a commercial real estate star recently, but these facilities are more than just buildings in elite coastal cities. Increase your understanding of life science and healthcare real estate in this session, where speakers will share how this sector can create an “ecosystem” with more than just office/lab demand, but entertainment and housing for workers, and manufacturing and distribution space to ship products to consumers.

Moderator: Mike Brown, Senior Director, Life Sciences Practice Group, Colliers International

Panelists:
Suzet McKinney, DrPH, MPH, Principal, Director of Life Sciences, Sterling Bay LLC
Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, Esq., President and COO, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council

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9:30 a.m.

Research Directors Meeting

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET

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10:15 a.m.

Networking Break in Exhibits

Time: 10:15 a.m. - 10:35 a.m. ET

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10:35 a.m.

Alternative Means and Methods for Maintaining Project Momentum

Time: 10:35 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. ET

The post-pandemic construction boom has taken many forms. E-commerce and big box retailers are developing across the country, while at the same time, construction projects that were postponed during the pandemic have resumed. However, the lack of workforce at manufacturing facilities last year combined with the high demand for materials has led to price increases and lead time delays. This session will share new, alternate means and methods being used in construction to keep projects moving forward.

Speakers:
Jeffrey Brown, Founding Principal and CEO, Powers Brown Architecture
Bill Finfrock, President, FINFROCK
Matt Zabik, Vice President of Operations, Williams Company Management Group

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10:35 a.m.

The Capital Side of the Cold Storage Equation

Time: 10:35 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. ET

Demand for cold storage properties has significantly increased as grocers, pharmaceutical companies and others rely on refrigerated storage facilities to warehouse products close to consumers. In this session, speakers will explore what’s behind the surge in cold storage investment, how investors can justify the higher costs in the asset type, and whether cold storage buildings are a safe long-term investment. Maintenace costs, typical rents and future uses for these buildings will also be discussed.

Moderator: Cameron Trefry, LEED AP, Principal, Ware Malcomb

Panelists:
Alex Langerman, Co-founder and COO, Cold Summit Development
Brian Niven, Managing Director and Co-founder, Karis Cold
Dustin Volz, Senior Managing Director, JLL Capital Markets

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11:35 a.m.

Confluence of Retail and Industrial

Time: 11:35 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. ET

Facilitator: Craig Meyer, President, Industrial, Americas, JLL

Speakers:
Kris Bjorson, International Director, National-Retail E-Commerce Distribution, JLL
Geno Coradini, Executive Vice President, National Retail-Tenant Representation, JLL

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11:35 a.m.

What the Multiverse of Work Means for Office Space

Time: 11:35 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. ET

The fast-emerging consensus is that the future of knowledge work will take place across a variety of locations: home, office and elsewhere. Drawing from an extensive review of academic and business research, as well as primary insight from occupiers around the world, this session explains why this hybridized workplace ecosystem is happening, why it bodes well for performance, what it might look like, and its implications for office space. What will be the impact on demand? How will this model look different in major urban centers as compared to suburbs and secondary markets? And what will characterize the buildings that perform best?

Speakers:
Phil Mobley, Director of U.S. Occupier Research, Avison Young
Jennifer Vaux, U.S. Director of Insight – Office, Avison Young

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12:30 p.m.

Lunch

Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET

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1:30 p.m.

General Session: Keynote – Grant Hill

Time: 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. ET

Speaker:
Grant Hill
Basketball Legend
Commercial Real Estate Entrepreneur

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2:45 p.m.

Networking Break in Exhibits

Time: 2:45 p.m. - 3:05 p.m. ET

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3:05 p.m.

Automation and Digital Transformation in CRE

Time: 3:05 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. ET

From autonomous vehicles to machine learning, many technological advances of the past decade have the potential to dramatically disrupt commercial real estate. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation to examine the implications of autonomous trucking, delivery drones, cybersecurity, machine learning, artificial intelligence and more. Leave with new insights into the technologies that will impact your business.

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3:05 p.m.

The Future of Goods Distribution and the Supply Chain

Time: 3:05 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. ET

There’s no shortage of questions regarding the future of the supply chain and U.S. goods distribution in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this session dives headfirst into the topic. How has the process of delivering goods to market changed with supply chain upsets in the U.S. and abroad? After years of decline, will rail service prove to be a critical link in the supply chain? What role will it play in future development projects? Will global supply chains issues lead to more onshoring of manufacturing to hedge against future upsets? Experts will explore these issues and more.

Moderator: John Petricola, LEED AP, CCIM, Senior Managing Director, Southeast Development, Rockefeller Group

Panelists:
Leslie Blakey, President, Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors
Sky Groden, Executive Managing Director, JLL
Michael Landsburg, Chief Development Officer, NFI Real Estate
Kim Snyder, President, Western Region, Prologis

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3:30 p.m.

CEO/Company Leadership Meeting – Groups 1 and 2

Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET

By invitation only.

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4 p.m.

General Session: Keynote – Hessam Nadji

Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. ET

Speaker:
Hessam Nadji
President and CEO
Marcus & Millichapr

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5 p.m.

Developing Leaders Award Winners Reception

Time: 5 p.m. - 5:50 p.m. ET

By invitation only.

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5:30 p.m.

Networking Reception

Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. ET

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7 p.m.

National Forums Dinners

Time: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET

Open only to members and guests of the National Forums.

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Day 4 Agenda

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

6:30 a.m.

Registration open

Time: 6:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET

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7 a.m.

National Forums Leadership Meeting

Time: 7 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. ET

Open only to Forums Chairs and Vice Chairs.

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7:30 a.m.

General Session: Breakfast Keynote – Jon Paul Pérez and Hessam Nadji

Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. ET

Speaker:
Jon Paul Pérez
President, Related Group

Moderator:
Hessam Nadji
President and CEO, Marcus & Millichap

In this keynote fireside chat, Hessam Nadji, Marcus & Millichap President and CEO, will interview Jon Paul Pérez, president of Related Group, a leading developer and one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S. with a development portfolio of over $40 billion. Pérez will share his insights into how the CODID-19 pandemic has affected the Miami commercial real estate industry and greater business community, the growth potential in the Miami market and his efforts to elevate the area into the “Silicon Valley of the Southeast.” Pérez recently succeeded his father, Jorge M. Pérez, as president of Related Group, so he’ll share his vision for the future of the company, his leadership style, and the organization’s goals to strategically invest in disruptive technologies, forge industry partnerships and recruit promising talent.

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9:30 a.m.

Chapter Executives Meeting

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Open only to Chapter Executives.

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9:30 a.m.

National Forums Meetings

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET

National Forums meetings are open to Forums members only.

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Keynote Speakers

Grant Hill
Basketball Legend
Commercial Real Estate Entrepreneur

Hall of Fame basketball player, charismatic television personality, successful businessman and philanthropist, Grant Hill is one of the most accomplished NBA and college players of his generation.

A 1994 graduate of Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Hill was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a first-ballot member of the 2018 class. The seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time NCAA champion has made the successful transition from 19 years as a professional athlete to a highly successful business leader.

He is an owner and vice chairman of the board of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club, and founder and chairman of Hill Ventures, a private company through which he has successfully invested in and developed more than $200 million of commercial real estate. Hill has also been selected to serve as managing director for USA Basketball Men’s National Team following the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. Hill divides his time between his family, business interests, corporate boards and philanthropy.

Hessam Nadji

Hessam Nadji
President and CEO
Marcus & Millichap

Hessam Nadji is president and chief executive officer of Marcus & Millichap, a leading commercial real estate firm specializing in investment sales, financing, research and advisory services. Founded in 1971, Marcus & Millichap has grown to more than 2,000 investment sales and financing professionals with offices throughout the United States and Canada.

Nadji joined Marcus & Millichap in 1996 as vice president of research and advisory services and positioned the firm as a leading provider of market trends, analyses and expertise. In 2010, Nadji assumed the leadership role for all of the firm’s national specialty brokerage divisions, which grew rapidly under his supervision. Nadji also played a leading role in the preparation and execution of the firm’s IPO in 2013 as Marcus & Millichap’s chief strategy officer.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in information management and computer science from City University in Seattle. Mr. Nadji is a member of the National Multifamily Housing Council executive committee, the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers and NAIOP.

Jon Paul Pérez
President, Related Group

Jon Paul “JP” Pérez currently serves as president of Related Group, one of the country’s most prolific and respected real estate development firms. Within this role, Pérez is responsible for overseeing development operations across the company’s various divisions, managing land acquisition efforts and leading the procurement of major construction financing. As part of Related’s Executive Committee, he works with the firm’s C-level executives and division presidents to establish corporate priorities, growth strategies and other key companywide initiatives. He is also working to accelerate the organization’s innovation efforts, which include strategic investments in disruptive technologies, forging industry partnerships and recruiting promising talent.

Mark Zandi

Mark Zandi
Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics
Co-founder, Moody's Economy.com

Mark M. Zandi is chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, where he directs economic research, and a cofounder of Economy.com, which Moody’s purchased in 2005.

He is a trusted adviser to policymakers and an influential source of economic analysis for businesses, journalists and the public. Dr. Zandi frequently testifies before Congress and conducts regular briefings on the economy for corporate boards, trade associations, and policymakers at all levels.

He is on the board of directors of MGIC, the nation’s largest private mortgage insurance company, and is the lead director of Reinvestment Fund, one of the nation’s largest community development financial institutions, which makes investments in underserved communities.

Build Your Professional Network at CRE.Converge

Local Tours

Explore Miami Beach art, culture, development and more on unique tours.

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CRE Guru Bar

Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity for high-level one-on-one networking.

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CRE Talks

Dive deeper into niche topics with these smaller, more conversational sessions.

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Register early and save! Discounted rates end August 16. NAIOP members can take advantage of extra discounted pricing before July 19!

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Member Type	Early through Aug. 16	Standard Aug. 17-Sept. 25
Member	$995	$1,295
Florida Chapter Member	$845	$845
Developing Leader Member	$795	$995
Nonmember	$1,395	$1,695

Local Chapter includes NAIOP Florida Chapters.

Prices listed are in USD.

All registration prices and details >>

Hotel and Travel

Conference Hotel

Book a room at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. See additional hotel information, including a link to the direct online booking website.

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Transportation and Parking

Fontainebleau Miami Beach has easy access to two airports and offers valet parking.

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Weather in Miami Beach

Business attire is recommended for conference attendees. September temperatures in Florida range from an average high of 86 degrees to a low of 77 degrees.

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Registration open

Executive Committee Meeting

Research Foundation Fundraising Committee

Research Foundation Research Committee

Research Foundation Trustees Meeting

NAIOP Corporate Board of Directors Reception and Dinner

Registration open

Corporate Committee and Subcommittee Meetings

New Corporate Board Orientation

Miami Industrial Tour

Wynwood Art District Walking Tour

NAIOP Corporate Board of Directors Meeting

Wynwood Art District Culinary Tour

NAIOP Annual Meeting and Passing of the Gavel

Joint Governors and Industry Trends Task Force

Chapter Presidents and Presidents-elect

Exhibits Open

NAIOP Gives Back: U.S. Hunger

Welcome Reception

Research Foundation Governors Dinner

Registration open

Exhibits open

General Session: Breakfast Keynote – Marc Zandi

National Leadership Training

Networking Break in Exhibits

Adaptive Reuse of Big Box Retail

The Life Science Real Estate Ecosystem

Research Directors Meeting

Networking Break in Exhibits

Alternative Means and Methods for Maintaining Project Momentum

The Capital Side of the Cold Storage Equation

Confluence of Retail and Industrial

What the Multiverse of Work Means for Office Space

Lunch

General Session: Keynote – Grant Hill

Networking Break in Exhibits

Automation and Digital Transformation in CRE

The Future of Goods Distribution and the Supply Chain

CEO/Company Leadership Meeting – Groups 1 and 2

General Session: Keynote – Hessam Nadji

Developing Leaders Award Winners Reception

Networking Reception

National Forums Dinners

Registration open

National Forums Leadership Meeting

General Session: Breakfast Keynote – Jon Paul Pérez and Hessam Nadji

Chapter Executives Meeting

National Forums Meetings

Local Tours

CRE Guru Bar

CRE Talks

Health and Safety Protocols

NAIOP Gives Back: U.S. Hunger

Conference Hotel

Transportation and Parking

Weather in Miami Beach

Kris Bjorson

Geno Coradini

Robert Griffin

Michael Landsburg

Alex Langerman

Suzet McKinney, DrPH, MPH

Kendalle Burlin O'Connell, Esq.

Kim Snyder

Cameron Trefry, LEED AP

Jennifer Vaux

Presenting:

Premier:

Platinum: