ACREcon 2017 looks to bring Vision to Alabama’s commercial real estate industry
Birmingham's Rotary Trail, which opened this year, was created from an old rail bed. The repurposing of old infrastructure will be among the topics at February's ACREcon. (Christopher Jones/Alabama NewsCenter)
An improbable presidential election outcome, government regulations and the reality of higher interest rates will likely affect just about every sector in the business world in 2017. Commercial real estate professionals will be keeping a close eye on those issues and others over the next 12 to 18 months.
The 17th annual Alabama Commercial Real Estate Conference and Expo will tackle a host of local, national and global issues expected to affect real estate in 2017. The theme for this year’s conference, scheduled for Feb. 10 in Birmingham, is Vision.
“We really have a powerful program lined up for this year,” said Grayson Glaze, executive director at the Alabama Center for Real Estate, which hosts the conference each year. “We are excited to christen our new location at The Club atop Red Mountain with both national and local presenters on a variety of topics related to commercial real estate.”
Ryan Gravel will headline the morning session with “Where We Want to Live: Reclaiming Infrastructure for a New Generation.” Gravel is known for conceptualizing the Atlanta Beltline, a green space redevelopment of some of Atlanta’s old, abandoned railroad beds.
The Rotary Trail, the centennial project of the Birmingham Rotary Club, turned one of the Magic City’s old rail beds into a green space and walkway.
Birmingham has been Alabama’s greatest example in terms of downtown revitalization. Montgomery has also been recognized nationally for its urban renewal projects.
Brian D. Bailey, senior financial analyst for commercial real estate, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will deliver the Commercial Real Estate and Economic Outlook for 2017, also during the morning session.
Dr. Robert Witt, former chancellor of the University of Alabama system, will deliver “A Vision for the Future: Alabama Unites for Education.”
During the afternoon session, Shawn Marcell, senior acquisitions manager at The Welfont Group, will talk about “The Best Kept Secret in Commercial Real Estate.”
ACREcon will feature several other speakers who will round out the morning and afternoon sessions. For more information on ACREcon speakers and registration, click here.
