RECon Wrap-Up - by Jonathan D. Shaver, CCIM

Toward the end of May, I attended RECon in Las Vegas.  RECon is an annual convention of retail real estate professionals, and is put on by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).  Attendance had dropped off a bit during the recent economic downturn, but this year was back to pre-recession attendance, with over 30,000 attending.  

As a first timer, both to RECon and Las Vegas, I can say that my mind was thoroughly blown.  RECon took up an incredible amount of space in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and nearly anybody related to retail real estate had a booth on full display.  Retailers, brokers, developers, economic development professionals and others shuffled from booth to booth, meeting to meeting and presentation to presentation.  I ate complimentary Jersey Mike's sandwiches, Auntie Anne pretzels and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.  I heard from the president of ICSC and other industry players on the state of the national and international economy, which markets are hot, and what franchises are looking for what type of space in what parts of the world.  

I was able to "home base" at the RE/MAX Commercial booth, which was ably staffed by Kevin Bair from Denver and Nathan Bragg from Los Angeles. It was great to be able to put names with faces and network with other RE/MAX Commercial practitioners from across the country.  The booth provided a place for us to showcase our properties, leave business cards, and meet with prospects in the private meeting area.  I networked with the CCIM cadre, whose booth was just a few doors down from RE/MAX's.  And I attended a function at the New Orleans Business Alliance's (NOLABA) booth as well.  NOLABA reported strong interest in New Orleans, which was encouraging, and validating to hear.  The interest national retailers are showing in New Orleans is palpable, and with each addition to our market's retail mix, more retailers look in our direction.  

My first RECon is already paying off, with interest in several of my listings from folks I met, and a number of referrals headed my way as well.  That said, I'm already looking forward to next year's RECon, and will have a better idea of what to expect and how best to spend my time when it arrives.

Jonathan D. Shaver, CCIM

jshaver@nolacommercial.com

RE/MAX Commercial Brokers, Inc.

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RE/MAX Commercial Brokers, Inc.

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