Overheard: ICSC-New York conference

New York City - The International Council of Shopping Centers set new attendance records at its New York National Deal Making Conference, moved for the first time to the Javits Convention Center, held December 8 and 9, and keynoted by Donald Trump. The two-day event at the new location nearly doubled the size of the space from prior years, and drew more than 400 exhibiting companies and 9,600 attendees, representing a new attendance record and a 26% increase compared to the 2013 event.



The record attendance and new location had plenty of people talking – not only about the venue but about the industry as a whole and the year behind and ahead. Here are some of the comments overheard in the aisles of ICSC-NY.



“My three biggest takeaways from 2014: How much redevelopment is going on, how the outlet industry is exploding (and I’m not sure what that means), and the emergence of an interesting hybrid between outlet stores and full-line stores in centers.” Jeff Green, president and CEO, Jeff Green Partners



“We are making malls into meeting places. And that starts with the food court and the entertainment.” Tonya Creekmore, principal, retail, Avison Young



“2014 was a year of no compromise. In New York, landlords got the rents they were asking for … in fact, they got everything they were asking for.” Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, retail, Douglas Elliman Real Estate



“In 2014, we saw a sustainable and consistent movement toward creating some level of experience for the consumer, customized market by market. And, in 2015, managing an asset will become an art form, as we become responsible for giving projects a real heartbeat.” Ralph Conti, principal, RaCo Real Estate Advisors



“In Houston, we are seeing an explosion among luxury brands. And on an even broader scale, I am very bullish on Houston.” Jason Baker, principal, Baker Katz



“In Louisiana, Whole Foods is ramping up.” Kirsten Early, director of retail/partner, SRSA Commercial Real Estate



“New York can thank God for the 55 million tourists; tourists are the icing on our cake.” Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, retail, Douglas Elliman Real Estate



“I love having ICSC-NY at Javits. The show was open, easy to navigate, and I saw a lot of people I wouldn’t have been able to see in another venue. The geography is very manageable.” Jeff Green, president and CEO, Jeff Green Partners