Real Estate Forum

RealShare Washington, DC will assess the state of the market in Metropolitan Washington, DC, which includes the District, as well as Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland. Industry heavy hitters will gather to make presentations to real estate players from across the region. The event will also feature a variety of panels and informational sessions that will allow attendees to garner a current perspective on the state of the market, and to network with industry colleagues. Last year's conference brought out 500 senior level executives.

Like the 2004 gathering, this year's program will begin with opening remarks by a Real Estate Media Inc. executive; this time, company editor-in-chief Michael G. Desiato will take the reins from president and CEO Jonathan A. Schein. Desiato's commentary will be followed by the hour-long "Town Hall Meeting," where a panel, moderated by Advantis/GVA president Petch Gibbons, will discuss why metropolitan area remains ahead of the pack in terms of sales, occupancy levels and leasing rates, and whether this trend will continue into 2005.

Peter Linneman, principal, Linneman Associates and Albert Sussman Professor of Real Estate, Finance, and Public Policy, Wharton School of Business, will offer an outsider's perspective on the metropolitan region's in the keynote address. The day will also feature the RealShare special presentation, "Inside the Real Estate Mind," hosted by Desiato and featuring CarrAmerica Realty Corp. managing director John Donovan. There will also be a series of concurrent sessions ranging from the outlook for leasing, investment and development in Northern Virginia to the future of the US General Services Administration in the region. RealShare Washington, DC will end the day with a networking luncheon.