NEW YORK, October 19, 2015 – The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), in collaboration with the University of Southern California (USC) Lusk Center for Real Estate, is excited to present the second annual ICSC University of Shopping Centers West, on Oct. 25-27 at USC.
The retailer panel, “The State of Retailing in the West,” is a vibrant new addition to the program. The discussion on Monday will be moderated by Regency Centers Managing Director, West, Mac Chandler, CRX, CDP and feature the following panelists:
- John Klein, senior vice president of real estate, Equinox/Soul Cycle
- Christina Wong, director of real estate, Gap, Inc.
- Mario del Pero, co-founder and CEO of the fast-growing West Coast sandwich chain Mendocino Farms
The three-day conference will open with another highly anticipated retail event, the “Downtown Los Angeles Retail Tour,” which will give participants the opportunity to tour Downtown Los Angeles with industry expert Hal Bastian, president and CEO of Hal Bastian, Inc. The tour will focus on the redevelopment of the region into a vibrant mixed-use community and include stops at The Bloc, FIGat7th, Grand Central Market, South Park, Financial District, Bunker Hill, Historic Downtown, Fashion District, Little Tokyo and the Arts District.
Additional program highlights include keynote presentations by Kimco Realty Corp. Executive Chairman Milton Cooper and President and CEO of Federal Realty Investment Trust Don Wood.
“Although only in its second year on the West Coast, the program has proven to be a significant conference for professionals in the retail real estate industry – this is in part due to its strong foundation, the University of Shopping Centers, which has a history spanning more than 50 years,” said ICSC Senior Vice President of Education Eric Hertz. “The positive momentum of the University of Shopping Centers West will continue to develop, as we have already seen expansion with the addition of new programs and influential speakers.”
The University of Shopping Centers West is ICSC’s premier educational program serving the retail real estate and shopping center industry worldwide, with emphasis on the West Coast. The 2015 program includes more than 25 classes covering a range of topics from asset management to redevelopment, retailing, leasing, finance and marketing.
Register now for the program online. To qualify for the advanced rate – $1,195 for members and $1,695 for non-members – registration must be completed by October 24. Press registration is complimentary. To obtain press credentials contact ICSC’s media relations department at 646-728-3540 or nmalone@icsc.org.
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 70,000 members in over 100 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, investors, retailers, brokers, academics, and public officials. The shopping center industry is essential to economic development and opportunity. They are a significant job creator, driver of GDP, and critical revenue source for the communities they serve through the collection of sales taxes and the payment of property taxes. These taxes fund important municipal services like firefighters, police officers, school services, and infrastructure like roadways and parks. Shopping centers aren’t only fiscal engines however; they are integral to the social fabric of their communities by providing a central place to congregate with friends and family, discuss community matters, and participate in and encourage philanthropic endeavors. For more information about ICSC visit www.icsc.com and for the latest news from ICSC and the industry go to www.thecenterofshopping.com.