Written by Joe Kleiman and Scott Satula
Mid-America Real Estate-Wisconsin Vice Presidents Scott Satula and Joe Kleiman know a thing or two about putting on a show, of sorts. Scott and Joe serve on the planning committee for the Wisconsin ICSC/CARW Retail Conference, The Show, an annual conference focusing on retail real estate development and trends in Wisconsin. The program, which has grown into a full-day event, draws over 400 industry professionals including retailers, brokers, developers, investors, attorneys, contractors, bankers, and municipal officials.
The event kicks off with a brief networking session followed by a keynote speaker. Past speakers include Greg Marcus, CEO of the Marcus Corporation; Rick Schlesinger, COO of the Milwaukee Brewers; Lincoln Fowler, Co-Owner/Founder of Colectivo Coffee; Garrick Brown, National Retail Research Director for Cushman & Wakefield; and Peter Feigin, President of the Milwaukee Bucks.
This year’s Show will feature three keynote speakers. Robin Lewis of the Robin Report and author of the book, The New Rules of Retail, will kick off The Show with his insights into topics affecting today’s retail industry in an ever-evolving digital world. The lunchtime keynote speaker is Tom Carrico of Mills Fleet Farm. Tom will discuss the history of Mills Fleet Farm as a Midwest family-owned business and Mills’ future since being acquired by the private equity company KKR, following up with a question-and-answer session. The afternoon keynote speaker is John Gurda, Milwaukee writer and historian. John will present the history of Milwaukee area retail and how it has evolved.
Between each keynote presentation will be informational idea exchanges in the form of roundtable and panel discussions led by industry experts. Topics will include expanding retailers and restaurants, investment sales, retail site selection, TIF fundamentals, property assemblage for retail development, construction costs, lessons in mixed-use development, and the role of entertainment in today’s evolving malls and shopping centers, just to name a few.
And, of course, The Show would not be complete without the requisite networking time (read: open bar), as everyone in attendance gets to chat and talk about current deals, engage in congratulatory back slapping, and boast about how busy we all are.
This year’s Show will be held on April 18th with registration and check-in beginning at 8:30 am at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, located at 1721 W Canal Street in Milwaukee. Sign up now for early bird pricing. For information and registration, click on the link below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-icsc-carw-retail-event-tickets-43139740124