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CARW Retail Conference – April 14th

April 14 @ 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Wisconsin Retail Real Estate Conference

Join us on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, for the Wisconsin Retail Real Estate Conference, bringing together leading professionals from across the state’s retail real estate community. Gain insights from national and local experts, connect with peers, and engage in meaningful discussions on the trends shaping retail development, investment, and leasing.

This event brings together brokers, developers, investors, retailers, attorneys, bankers, and industry partners for an afternoon of insights, collaboration, and networking.

When:
Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Where:
The Italian Community Center
631 E Chicago St
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Agenda

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Registration & Networking Lunch
Check in and connect with fellow attendees during an optional lunch buffet. This relaxed hour offers an opportunity to meet peers and make connections before the program begins. Guests are welcome to join for lunch or arrive in time for the keynote.

1:00 – 2:00 PM | Welcome & Keynote Address
Opening remarks followed by a keynote Beth Azor presentation and interactive trivia highlight.

2:10 – 2:15 PM | Transition to Roundtables

2:15 – 3:45 PM | Roundtable Discussions
Engage in four rotating 20-minute small-group discussions focused on key issues shaping retail real estate today—from leasing velocity and tenant demand to financing & construction costs. This format allows attendees to exchange ideas directly with industry leaders and peers.

3:45 – 4:00 PM | Break

4:00 – 5:00 PM | Industry Panel
Hear from a panel of experienced professionals discussing market trends, opportunities, and challenges in retail real estate.

5:00 – 6:00 PM | Networking Happy Hour
Close out the afternoon with cocktails and informal networking with colleagues from across Wisconsin’s retail real estate community.

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Cost: 
Member Early Bird (Before March 21st) – $95
Member (After March 21st) – $145
Non-Member Early Bird (Before March 21st) – $125
Non-Member (After March 21st) – $175
Student – $50.00

Sponsorship Opportunities HERE

Register HERE

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Keynote Beth Azor:

Beth Azor is a nationally respected retail real estate strategist and advisor to some of the industry’s most active retailers, landlords, and investors. As founder and CEO of Azor Advisory Services, she works directly with decision-makers on leasing strategy, portfolio performance, and how retail is evolving within larger commercial and mixed-use environments.
In this keynote, Beth will offer a high-level, strategic perspective on retail real estate—focused on what commercial real estate leaders need to be thinking about right now. Drawing from active deal activity across multiple markets, she will discuss how top retailers are making location decisions, how owners are repositioning assets to drive long-term value, and where retail fits in a world shaped by changing consumer behavior, capital markets, and land use priorities. The session will emphasize strategic judgment, market positioning, and leadership decision-making rather than day-to-day execution.

Designed for principals, senior brokers, developers, investors, and executives, this keynote will provide clear, candid insights on how experienced leaders can better assess risk, identify opportunity, and position their retail and mixed-use assets for sustained performance.

Panel – Retail at the Edge: Building Major Projects in Growing Markets

Large-scale retail development is taking shape across Wisconsin as growth continues west of the Milwaukee metro. Communities like Summit and Oconomowoc are navigating complex retail and mixed-use projects that will influence regional shopping patterns, infrastructure planning, and local economic growth.
This panel brings together Scott Yauck, Founder and CEO of Cobalt Partners, Jack Riley, Village President of Summit, and Bob Magnus, current Mayor of the City of Oconomowoc, for a practical discussion on how significant retail projects move from concept to reality. Panelists will share perspectives on market demand, site selection, infrastructure, zoning and approvals, and the coordination required between developers and municipalities.
Moderated by Andy Hunt, the conversation will focus on the decisions, partnerships, and tradeoffs involved in delivering major retail development—and what current projects signal for the future of retail investment in Wisconsin.

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Roundtable Topics & Presenters:

Construction Cost Update – Making New from Old vs. New | Dave Schwartz, Innovative Construction Solutions
Hot Topics in Operating Agreements for Real Estate Entities – Joe Tierney, Amundsen Davis
Mayfair 3.0 | Silvia Vettese, GGP
Retail Market Update | James McKenna, Colliers
What’s Trending in Retail | Presenter Coming Soon
Investment & Net Lease Sales Update | Andrew Lund, Mid-America Real Estate
Madison Market Update | Jesse Schluter & Becca Gentilli, Colliers
Retail Financing Trends | Kyle Rieden & Josh Resch, Landmark Credit Union
Convenience and Grocery Store Update | Troy Mleziva, Kwik Trip
7Brew Coffee & Evolving Restaurant Concepts | Kevin Schmoldt, 7Brew
Retail Community Engagement: Controlling the Narrative Early | Bailey Copeland, Copeland Companies
Fox Valley Retail Update | Ed Bowen, The Morgan Partners
Axe Throwing to Slingshot Bars: What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know | Marla Poytinger, Bars and Recreation
LaCrosse/Eau Claire Regional Retail Update | Ryan Erickson, NAI Commonweal
Retail Underwriting in Practice: From NOI to Exit | Eteri Zaslavsky, Next Realty
3rd Ward & Downtown Milwaukee Update | Bruce Westling & Joseph Ziolkowski, NEWMARK
Leveraging AI Tools in Real Estate | Haley Stepanek & Grace D’Souza, Husch Blackwell

 

Details

Venue

  • Italian Community Center
  • 631 E Chicago St.
    Milwaukee, WI 53202 United States     + Google Map