CoreNet Global to Host Corporate Real Estate Symposium in Sydney

One day symposium will feature keynote presentations from prominent journalist and economics commentator, Michael Pascoe and corporate anthropologist Michael Henderson

SYDNEY, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- CoreNet Global is pleased to announce that it will host a one day corporate real estate (CRE) symposium, entitled "Rewind, Rebalance, Reset, Restart - CRE Legacies and Lessons from the Global Financial Crisis," on July 19, 2011 at the Dockside Convention Centre in Darling Harbour, Sydney.

The symposium, which will be held from 9.00a.m. to 7.30p.m., will convene over 100 senior CRE executives and workplace experts including heads of property departments, government real estate managers, developers, service providers, and facility managers representing major organizations in the region.

Organized by the Sydney Chapter of CoreNet Global, a professional association for the corporate real estate industry, the event will address the consequences of the global financial crisis on Australia's commercial real estate sector, as well as the post-recession issues presently being faced by CRE executives.

With conditions beginning to improve, the agenda will explore the direction and growth potential for Australia's commercial real estate sector. This will include a review of the new skills and capabilities that corporate property executives and workplace managers will need to embrace to help their organizations remain competitive in the future.

According to Mr. Mark Reynolds, Chair of CoreNet Global's Sydney Chapter, a particular highlight of this year's programme will be a keynote presentation by Mr. Michael Pascoe, one of Australia's most respected and experienced finance and economics commentators with over 37 years in newspaper, broadcast and on-line journalism.

Comments Mr. Reynolds, "We are delighted to have Michael Pascoe headline our event this year. As an acclaimed presenter, Michael is an entertaining and provocative speaker on matters financial, business, economical and political covering a broad range of issues including government policy, economic trends and business performance."

Mr. Reynolds remarks that delegates will also benefit from the knowledge and experience of seasoned corporate anthropologist Mr. Michael Henderson. "Likewise, we are very pleased to welcome as a keynote speaker respected thought leader Michael Henderson who will deliver an interactive presentation on the role of culture in organizational performance.

"Michael has been educating and advising organizations in culture for over 20 years. Through his writing, speaking and mentoring, he has supported leaders of business from all industry sectors achieve superior business results through understanding, inspiring and championing their workplace culture."

Aside from the keynote presentations, Mr. Reynolds confirms that the symposium will provide CRE executives with valuable insight, case studies and tools to help them add value to their organizations. This will be delivered through panel discussions and workshops with further highlights including sessions entitled:

• State of the Nation - Opportunity Emerges from Crisis;
• A Tale of Two Cities - Where Will the Real Commercial Heart of Australia be in a Post GFC World?
• Strategic Asset Planning - Translating Corporate Strategy into the Assets and Property that Meet Current and Future Business Needs;
• Reload for the Future - Refrain or Respond?

There will also be opportunities for delegates to interact and meet with their peers during networking breaks, an event luncheon, as well as a closing cocktail reception.

In terms of the timing of the event, Mr. Reynolds points out that the symposium is being held against the backdrop of a local commercial property market which although having experienced a correction as result of the global economic downtown, is showing significant signs of recovery.

"Overall, CRE experts are cautiously optimistic about the future of the industry in Australia," he says. "As such, we expect this recovery trend to continue through 2011 and into 2012. This is likely to be accompanied by a growth in capital values, an increase in commercial rents, and a rise in occupancy across most locations and sectors."

Despite the outlook looking promising, Mr. Reynolds cautions that to be successful in the current climate, CRE professionals will, however, need to be capable of handling emerging trends, as well a number of challenges and transformations currently affecting the CRE industry.

"Identifying future challenges and trends, whilst creating business models to maximize returns on property investment is integral to the success of our industry," he continues.  "We are therefore looking forward to discussions at our Sydney symposium on the issues impacting the CRE sector locally, and the direction that the real estate market might be headed."

To date, CoreNet Global's symposium has attracted the support of a number of key sponsors including Diamond Sponsors Johnson Controls and Regus, Sapphire Sponsor Colliers International, and Emerald Sponsors Brookfield and Jones Lang LaSalle.

Places are still available for parties interested in registering for the Sydney symposium. For more information, please contact Mark Reynolds on (61) 408 450 814 or at mark.reynolds@lendlease.com.au. Alternatively, please visit http://sydney.corenetglobal.org/CORENETGLOBAL/Sydney/2011Symposium/Program/Default.aspx for details.

Editor's Notes

CoreNet Global is the world's leading association for corporate real estate (CRE) and workplace professionals, service providers, and economic developers.

Our 7,000 members, who include 70% of the top 100 U.S. companies and nearly half of the Global 2000, meet locally, globally and virtually to develop networks, share knowledge, learn and thrive professionally. For more information, please visit www.corenetglobal.org .

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