Introduction of the Forum Chairman:
Michael Parker, President, Cushman & Wakefield LePage (Edmonton)

Forum Chairman:
Bruce Bentley, President & CEO, Maclab Enterprises

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A leading economist will offer forecasts and insights on the short-term and long-term outlook of the North American economy. A range of related issues will be presented: Canadian and U.S. interest rates for the next 12 months, the future direction of energy and oil costs and their implications over the next few years, the outlook for the Canadian dollar and the rates of inflation and bond yields. Finally, the impact of regulatory bodies in foreign markets such as Germany, Israel and Australia is having dramatic results on Canadian real estate. Is this capital flow here to stay or is the honeymoon soon over?

Benjamin Tal

Speaker: Benjamin Tal, Senior Economist, CIBC World Markets (download presentation)

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With one of Canada’s fastest growing urban economies, and with billions of investment planned in Northern Alberta the next few years, Edmonton, is quickly emerging as a market leader. What is the city’s vision and related growth strategy? Is Edmonton doing everything that it should to complement the development activity that is surging in the city?

Stephen Mandel

Speaker: Stephen Mandel, Mayor, City of Edmonton

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Commercial Mortgage Origination Group of TD Securities

What major factors are contributing to the rising costs in real estate development? The significant escalation in land prices, labour and construction material costs is dramatically changing the economics of the rents that developers need to charge to make a project realistic and viable. This session will discuss the construction costs in the current market and labour supply and demand conditions. Employment incentive programs will also be discussed.

Moderator: Dr. Sam Shaw, President, NAIT

Panel: Paul Douglas, President, PCL Constructors Inc. (download presentation)
Darren Durstling, Partner, WAM Development Group
Keith Fraser, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Altus Helyar (download presentation)
Cameron Naqvi, Vice President Leasing and Development,
    Cameron Development Corp (download presentation)

TOPIC A1:
EDMONTON’S OFFICE MARKET: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

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Over the past two years, a surge in the demand for office space has resulted in tight leasing markets. How do market rents compare to economic rents in this heated market? What is the outlook for demand from smaller and larger tenants? Are tenants confident enough to make 5 and 10 year commitments to growth? With labour shortages will tenants enhance office space and use this as an incentive to attract and retain key employees?

Moderator & Presenter: Sandy McNair, President, Altus Insite

Panel: Richard Knibbs, Director, Asset Management,
    GWL Realty Advisors Inc.
Blair Sinclair, Senior Vice President, Tonko Realty Advisors Ltd.
Shaun Wuschke, Vice President, Edmonton, Bentall Real Estate Services
Dave Young, Managing Director, CB Richard Ellis

TTOPIC A2:
INDUSTRIAL MARKET UPDATE

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The industrial market in Edmonton has been very dynamic over the last two years with major players purchasing remaining available land. This session will address: the costs of developing land today, reasons why recent land developers have come into this market and results from their returns on investment. Industrial rent levels and the composition of the tenants will be discussed, in addition to consideration on whether or not tenants will tolerate an increased cost load and, if not, where would they go.

Moderator: Hugh Gorman, Vice President, Oxford Properties Group

Panel: Randy Cameron, Senior Vice President, Western Canada,
    Dundee REIT
Rod Connop, Associate Vice President, Colliers International (download presentation)
Cody Clayton, Vice President, Leasing & Land Sales,
    Remington Development Corporation
Phillip Gillin, President, Sun Life of Canada Insurance Company
Kevin Humphrys, Leasing Manager, Morguard Investments Ltd.

TOPIC A3:
THE GREENING OF CANADIAN REAL ESTATE: HOW SIGNIFICANTLY IS THIS TREND GROWING AND WHY?

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Interest in greening new and existing buildings has grown significantly in Canada over the past year. This is especially true within the private sector where developers and investors have increasingly announced new projects that are seeking some form of green related ratings. What are the major reasons for this surge for higher performance, increased energy efficiency and environmentally green in terms of meeting LEEDs and Go Green standards? What are the major attributes of greener buildings? Are changing consumer expectations and priorities driving the shift to greener practices?

Moderator & Presenter: Elia Sterling, President,
    Theodor Sterling Associates (download presentation)

Panel: Paul LaBranche, Executive Vice President, BOMA BC (download presentation)
Brian Oakley, General Supervisor, Architectural/Structural Engineering,
    City of Edmonton (download presentation)
Myron Nebozuk, Partner, Manasc Isaac Architects (download presentation)

TOPIC B1:
TRENDS, OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS IN THE CONDOMINIUM MARKET: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THIS SECTOR? HOW LONG WILL THE OVER-HEATED MARKET CONTINUE?

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The condominium market in Edmonton continues to grow at unprecedented levels with very limited inventory available. Where is this sector going, what further opportunities exist and where are the risks? Furthermore, what is the current investor attitude towards condos, affordable housing and other asset classes? Is now a good time to be a buyer or seller and why? Get the answers and more from the panel of industry experts during this exciting presentation.

Moderator: Ray Townsend, Vice President, CB Richard Ellis

Panel: Greg Christenson, Christenson Developments Ltd. (download presentation)
Randy Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Westcorp Inc.
Reza Mostashari, President, Langham Properties Limited (download presentation)

TOPIC B2:
RETAIL: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THIS ASSET CLASS?

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A rise in property taxes, construction and land costs have resulted in increased rental rates in this province. When does it stop making sense for the retailer? When does it not become sustainable for the developer and where are the opportunities for new retail? How is it affecting independent (mom and pop) retailers? How does it affect national retailers, including big box tenants? Finally, are retail sales increasing enough to support increasing rents?

Moderator: Darren Snider, Partner, Avison Young Commercial (download presentation)

Panel: Henry Bereznicki, President, Western Region,
    Centrecorp & Executive Chairman, Liquor Stores Income Trust
Andrew Megson, Partner, Springwood Developments
David Schiffer, Executive Vice President, Smart Centres

TOPIC B3:
REAL ESTATE FINANCING TRENDS IN TODAY’S MARKET

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Access to capital is crucial for real estate developers and investors. This session will examine the use of debt financing to leverage or expand portfolios and provide helpful insight into the lender’s thought process. The panel consists of experienced mortgage brokers and lenders.

Moderator: Jan Willey, Partner, Montrose Mortgage

Panel: Dennis Aitken, Vice President, Mortgages, Peoples Trust
Ross Brennan, President, Colliers International Mortgage Corporation (download presentation)
Terry Mihaychuk, Commercial Finance Specialist,
    Community Savings & Credit Union
Alex Tye, Vice President, CareVest Capital Inc.

TOPIC C1:
THE OUTLOOK FOR DEVELOPMENT LAND IN THE EDMONTON MARKET: IS THERE STILL TIME TO BUY AND SELL LAND IN THIS CITY?

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With an increasingly limited supply of land in Edmonton, are land values “undervalued” compared to other similarly characterized cities throughout Canada and North America? What are the land options, or lack thereof, regarding industrial, retail, office, residential and redevelopment sites throughout Edmonton?

Moderator: Ray Watkins, Vice President, WAM Development Group

Panel: Bill Covey, Sales Coordinator, City of Edmonton
Andy Horvath, Partner, JJ Barnicke (Edmonton)
Richard Westren, Vice President, Edmonton Land,
    Carma Developments Ltd.
Ralph Young, President & CEO, Melcor Developments Ltd.

TOPIC C2:
INFRASTRUCTURE EFFECTING EDMONTON: WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW?

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How will the provincial government deal with the ongoing infrastructure requirements? What are deemed to be the most important changes to be addressed now? How does the city plan to meet infrastructure requirements resulting from fast growth?

Introductions: David Judge, President, Humford Management Inc.

Speaker: Al Maurer, City Manager, City of Edmonton (download presentation)
Jay Ramotaur, Deputy Minister Infrastructure & Transportation,
   Alberta Government
Jim Stewart, President & CEO, UMA Group Ltd.

TOPIC C3:
APARTMENT SECTOR UPDATE: WHERE IS THE CYCLE HEADING??

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Notwithstanding some concern about vacancy rates, the multi-unit residential sector continues to attract capital and investor interest because of its historical stable returns. Some new apartment construction is continuing across Alberta, the institutional investors are back, and lenders like the asset class as well. Where is this sector going, what are the opportunities, and where are the risks? What impact is condominium development having on this market? What are current investor attitudes towards apartment buildings vs. other asset classes? Who is buying and who is selling apartment properties at this time? Where do cap rates appear to be heading?

Moderator: Richard Goatcher, Senior Market Analyst,
    Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp (download presentation)

Panel: Allan Carr, Senior Vice President, Midwest Property Management
Paul Chaput, Senior Broker, Avison Young Commercial
Kevin Screpnechuk, Senior Vice President, Rental Operations,
    Boardwalk REIT (download presentation)
Gerald McFadyen, President, Corporate Realty Group Inc. (download presentation)

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The city of Edmonton will look very different over the next 5-10 years with many scheduled development projects on the horizon including East Village, the redevelopment of the Legislature grounds and a number of Jasper Avenue projects, even the potential of a new downtown arena and a new art gallery. Will they satisfy users’ needs and activities and improve their quality of life? Will this massive investment attract more people to these areas? What economic impacts can be expected from these exciting projects? As the demand for land use in residential, office and industrial sectors continues to increase, urban planning for “smart growth” is more important than ever before – is Edmonton adopting live, work and play downtown?

Moderator: Phil Milroy, President, Westcorp Inc. (download presentation)

Panel: Janet Riopel, General Manager, Growth Initiatives, City of Edmonton
Ron Gilbertson, President & CEO, Edmonton Economic Development (download presentation)
George Schluessel, CEO, Procura Real Estate Services
Jim Taylor, Executive Director, Edmonton Downtown Business Association (download presentation)

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Given the broad range of issues that were raised during today’s conference, a panel of well respected senior real estate executives will have the last word. They will give us their insights and perspectives on what they believe are the most critical issues and market trends facing their business plans and the industry in general over the next year. What course of action should be taken?

Moderator: Bruce Bentley, President & CEO, Maclab Enterprises

Panel: Bill Butler, President, Springwood Developments
Jon Love, Managing Partner, KingSett Capital
Scott Hutcheson, President & CEO Aspen Properties Ltd.
Kevin Pshebniski, President, Hopewell Development Corporation