SIOR MAKES ITS CREATE 360 CONFERENCE VIRTUAL

While the pandemic continues to create unprecedented challenges and obstacles for people the world over, SIOR has not stopped looking for opportunities to help its members stay connected and succeed. Networking and collaboration are two of the biggest advantages for SIOR brokers, and something that could have easily been lost in the wake of social distancing and working from home. But despite the many complications, organizational leaders both at the national and chapter leadership level have repeatedly designed and hosted exciting virtual events that allow members to connect, share ideas, and best of all, create significant business opportunities.

There’s no better example of this than SIOR’s CREate 360 conference, which for the first time in the organization’s history, will be held 100% virtually, October 21-23, 2020. In light of the pandemic environment, CREate 360 was redesigned for 2020 as a fully online and interactive experience, while still offering the unmatched networking and knowledge-sharing that the group’s global conferences are known for. This online global event brings Commercial Real Estate (CRE) professionals at all levels together for a high-level view of the industrial and office real estate landscape as it stands today, while the world tries to navigate the crisis. Regardless of the format, no other CRE event offers such incredible access to a group of industry experts, eager to answer the toughest questions about what’s affecting the CRE community today, and what tomorrow may bring, while also providing unparalleled collaborative opportunities.

In fact, there has never been a better opportunity to capitalize on networking opportunities and create new relationships with the world’s best brokers. It has been revealed by SIOR’s ongoing Snapshot Sentiment Survey, that since April, on-time transactions have doubled for both office and industrial sectors, while canceled transactions have been cut in half. Despite the perceived reality, as these results show, the actual health of commercial real estate is much better than many observe.

“This year’s CREate 360 conference couldn’t come at a better time,” says SIOR Global President Mark Duclos, SIOR, CRE, FRICS. “SIOR has always been known for our collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking. Throughout the pandemic, our networking and collaboration have been tremendous. It’s why we have a 96% membership renewal rate and our average member has held the designation for 15 years.”

This year’s conference includes some of the most high-profile speakers in the history of SIOR’s annual conferences. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Former CEO of Ford Motor Company Alan Mullaly, and award-winning Broadway star Leslie Odom Jr. will be guest speakers for this year’s virtual event. Though the keynote speakers are always exciting, the breakout sessions at CREate 360 are considered extremely valuable, where new ideas, trends, and strategies are shared and explored together. This year, these sessions provide a range of topics including a focus on what’s next for the industrial sector in a post-COVID world, tips and suggestions from the industry’s top office deal makers, and the evolving dynamics of e-commerce and how it will impact commercial real estate in the coming years.

“Our conferences are known as being where ideas and knowledge become opportunities,” adds Duclos. “And whether we’re face-to-face or on opposite sides of the ocean, knowledge and ideas are still incredibly powerful when shared with the right group of people. SIOR members are naturally inquisitive and always eager to take on new challenges, so we expect to see the same level of enthusiasm and excitement. It’s one more thing that separates SIORs from everyone else.”

And just like during an in-person conference experience, brokers will be able to spin off into private virtual “chats” to discuss additional topics or share ideas and transaction opportunities. As Duclos continues, connecting and collaboration are at the forefront of CREate 360.

“With so much uncertainty, this conference is the perfect opportunity to experience outstanding educational speakers and sessions, connect with outstanding CRE professionals from all over the world to see what’s working, discuss deals, forge new relationships, and find support from the most successful brokers in the industry. The world continues to figure out how to overcome the frustrations the pandemic has presented but communicating and leveraging relationships is the best way to overcome the separation we’ve seen.”

You can learn about, and register for CREate 360 today by visiting SIOR’s online conference page.