Schedule of Events

NOTE: Please check back for the most up-to-date schedule as we update information regularly.

For Speaker pictures and bios, please click here

Thursday, June 16

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm   Development Tour: Explore the Challenging Architectural and Urban Developments of Berlin

Tour Guides:

Andreas Schulten, Member Directory Board, Bulwiengesa AG, Berlin, Germany
Henrik Thomsen, Executive Director, Groth Gruppe, Berlin, Germany

Attendees will depart from the Westin Grand Hotel for a 3-hour Development Tour throughout the most inspirational architectural and urban developments of Berlin, including:

• the Central New Subway line along Unter den Linden
• Berlin’s rebuilt Prussian Palace with its contentious debate about developing a sustainable cultural program
• the new building for the German Secret Service and its new neighborhood
• Europa city adjacent to the multi-floor Berlin Central Station with a development potential of 520,000 sqm
• Berlin’s Technical University is a hub for new inner city high rise developments
• Upper West at Kurfürstendamm – one of the few high rise buildings under construction
• Peak into Gleisdreieck Park (Berlin’s high line) and developments in this neighborhood
• Kreuzberg – the current startup epicenter with its urban structures
• Mediaspree – one of the largest property investment projects in Berlin. It aims to establish telecommunication and media companies along a section of the banks of the river Spree; the development site is around Berlin’s Mercedes Benz Arena

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm   Welcome Reception – Westin Grand Berlin Hotel

Join us we kick off at the European Chapter’s Fifth International Conference with a reception in the Westin Grand Berlin Hotel’s beautiful Summer Garden.   Confabulate with CREs and other real estate professionals, their spouses and guests, from all over the world in a relaxing, picturesque atmosphere, while enjoying the finest finger food and beverages.

Friday, June 17

7:00 am – 8:00 am    Breakfast
Breakfast is on your own. It is often included as part of your hotel stay.

8:30 am – 2:30 pm    Spouse/Guest Tour: Historic Highlights of Berlin – See Spouse/Guest Section for Information about this Tour.

9:00 am – 9:15 am    Welcoming Remarks

Speakers:

Marie-Noelle Brisson, CRE, Chair, European Chapter, Senior International Advisor, France
Ralf-Peter Koschny, CRE, Secretary European Chapter, FRICS, Member Directory Board Bulwiengesa AG, Hamburg, Germany
James Lee, CRE, 2016 Chair of the Board, Kensington Realty Advisors, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA

9:15 am – 10:45 am    Challenges I: Investment

Speakers:

Andreas Schulten, Member Directory Board, Bulwiengesa AG, Berlin, Germany
Inga Schwarz, Head of Avison Young’s German Research Department, Hamburg, Germany

Panelists will discuss their views as to where to invest in Europe and give attendees a market overview. In addition, they will deliberate what US/Canadian investors appreciate in Europe and what European investors appreciate in the US/Canadian market.

10:45 am – 11:15 am    Challenges II: Financial Markets

Speakers:

Manuel Köppel, Executive Director BF, direkt AG, Stuttgart, Germany
Robert White, Jr, CRE, Founder & President, Real Capital Analytics, New York, NY, USA, and London, United Kingdom

Mr. Köppel and Mr. White will discuss their experiences in financing big projects, debt Index and sentiment barometer showing the future.  In addition, you will get an overview as to global capital flows and the influence of cross-border investment in Europe, particularly as it relates to premium pricing in the major cities.  There is a growing gap in pricing between the major markets and others has become very wide; it’s one of the largest challenges facing investors.

11:45 am – 12:30 pm    Challenges III: Urban Projects

Speakers:

Vincent Gollain, Director, Department of Economic Development, IAU Ile-de-France, Fondation d’utilité publique
Tommaso Santini, Chief Executive Officer VEGA s.c.a.r.l, Venice Gateway for Science and Technology
Henrik Thomsen, Executive Director, Groth Gruppe, Berlin, Germany

In the recent decades, Cities have launched fascinating and comprehensive projects.  This panel will give an overview of three of these projects and their impacts:

• VEGA Project, Venice
• Europa City, Berlin
• Grand Paris

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm     Challenges and Requirements: Big Urban Projects

Speakers:

Vincent Gollain, Director, Department of Economic Development, IAU Ile-de-France, Fondation d’utilité publique
Hubertus Kobe, CRE, Senior Director ECE Projectmanagement G.m.b.H & Co. KG, Hamburg, Germany
Tommaso Santini, Chief Executive Officer VEGA s.c.a.r.l, Venice Gateway for Science and Technology
Henrik Thomsen, Executive Director, Groth Gruppe, Berlin, Germany
James Tuckey, Chairman, Brookfield Properties Europe, United Kingdom

Moderator:

Ralf-Peter Koschny, CRE, Secretary European Chapter, FRICS, Member Directory Board Bulwiengesa AG, Hamburg, Germany

This panel will share their experiences with big urban projects, and the challenges and requirements they have faced.

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm       Luncheon

2:30 pm – 3:45pm        Challenges IV: Migration

Speakers:

Marie-Noelle Brisson, CRE, Chair, European Chapter, Senior International Advisor, France
Güniz Çelen, CRE, CEO, Chairperson, Celen Corporate Property Valuation & Counseling Inc., Istanbul. Turkey
Nicholas Chatzitsolis, CRE, Managing Director Axies S.A. (Part of CBRE Affiliate Network)
Bruno Ettenauer, CRE, Korneuburg, Austria, specializes in Real Estate Development and Investment, Asset Management, Financing, Equity and Debt Funding

Moderator:

Marcus Cieleback, Head of Research, Patrizia AG

These panelists, who are experiencing the migration issues firsthand, will discuss the urban challenges this has created in Europe: How to cope with immigration.  Turkey, Greece, Austria, and Germany will be highlighted.

4:15 pm – 5:05pm        Challenges V: The City Changes the Value

Speaker:

Adrian Griffiths, Director, Chapman Taylor Architects, London, England

New requirements for City Concepts, Shopping Center, and Gastronomy will be discussed.

5:15 pm – 6:15pm        Health & Wellness: A Foundation of Successful 21st Century Cities

Speaker:

Scott Muldavin, CRE, CRE’s 2016 First Vice Chair Chapter, President of the Muldavin Company, Inc., San Rafael, CA, USA

Healthy buildings and communities have recently been elevated to the top of many government and real estate organization priority lists.  What creates the foundation of successful 21st Century Cities?

8:00 pm – Midnight      Farewell Dinner

Join fellow attendees for a wonderful dinner cruise that will showcase all the beauty and history of Spree River and Landwehrkanal. Berlin neglected its waterways for a long time; even locals don’t actually know why themselves any more. Not only does Berlin have five times as many bridges as in Venice, it also has a magnificent network of rivers (five), canals (six) and lakes. How many? You’d better count them yourself – comfortably seated on this lovely excursion boat. Let yourself drift, enjoy the four-course-menu-buffet dinner, and experience the capital’s attractions from the water.

Saturday, June 18

European Chapter Board Meeting