Leaders at Commercial Real estate Summit Agree Arizona’s Future Is Bright

The 2nd Annual Scottsdale Commercial Real Estate Summit was held on Friday, April 11^, at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess Resort. Attended by more than 250 real estate professionals, developers, and consumers, the event highlighted Scottsdale as a hub for new and growing businesses.

The morning program was opened by Grady Gammage Jr., who said Arizona is “in pretty good shape,” and a leader in sustaining a healthy recovery. He stated that attracting and retaining Millennials is important for Arizona’s continued success, pointing to projects such as the light rail and urbanization, which he believes play a key role, specifically in Scottsdale’s future.

Gammage was followed by Lee McPheters, Economist from Arizona State University, who echoed Gammage’s sentiments “quantitatively”. McPheters showed Arizona was the leader in information/data and finance job growth in 2013; overall, Arizona has regained 55 percent of the amount of jobs lost during the recession. “All Arizona needs to do,” McPheters joked, “is stop appearing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”

In addition, the morning included the following topics and speakers:

“How New Businesses Are Being Grown through the Business Venture Accelerator Program” presented by Jeff Pruitt, partner & CEO, Tall Wave; “What’s to Come at Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community” presented by Jeff Roberts, asset manager, Salt River Development Company; “Trends in Commercial Litigation in Arizona“presented by  Dennis Wilenchik, Esq., partner, Wilenchik & Bartness; “Scottsdale Multi-Family Housing Panel” presented by Bill Hahn, senior vice president, Colliers International; Michael Lieb, broker/owner, Michael A. Lieb, Ltd.; Todd Taylor, director, Wood Partners;

“Downtown Scottsdale Future Predictions Panel” presented by Geoff Beer, principal, Crescent Bay Holdings; Fred Unger, president, Spring Creek Development; Andrew Chippindall, general manager, Hotel Valley Ho; closings presented by David Rousseau, Chairman of the Super Bowl Host Committee.

The event was organized by the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS® (SAAR) Commercial Services Committee. The committee is led by volunteers Tina Larsen of Platinum Asset Management Services and Peggy Neely of Arizona Home Team, LLC.