GlobeSt.com: How do you prepare for a retail show as opposed to another sector in commercial real estate?

Kline: If you’re not involved in the retail sector, I’m not sure what preparation there is. As a broker, to know about the retail sector, you would go to RECon, just to find what out what is going on. There are a lot of events, seminars and Special Interest Groups (SIGS) and be educated. All of that is not only is valuable to you as a first timer, but it is valuable as an experienced retail real estate person.

I have been in retail as an attorney and as a tenant rep, for 36 years now. I currently do a huge amount of work for landlords who own shopping centers. So I write leases, I evict tenants, and I try to help tenants and am very involved in ICSC and all of the seminars and events. It’s part of my blood.

GlobeSt.com: Do you think people will be upbeat during the show?

Kline: There’s a stabilization going on. It’s a good thing, and it will make people feel better. There will be moments of depression. Retail will stay about the same. You’ll see a little bit more leasing going on, but the quality of the tenants won’t be as strong. The national tenants aren’t as strong. They aren’t looking to expand like they were in 2005 and 2006. Those that are strong are going to try to take advantage of the market. You’ll see, particularly in retail, foreclosures. You’ll see auctioning of retail properties. I’m finding the Auction.com concept interesting. And they’re doing some auctioning of large tranches.

GlobeSt.com: How do you feel about your booth this year?

Kline: I am very excited about the Marketplace Mall. Last year we were buried among cities, and it was very difficult to find us. The vendors should be gathered in a place where people should go. It’s a great opportunity. There are going to be about 200 of us giving away iPads. If you want an iPad, it’s the place to go. It’s also an opportunity to expand your business. If it’s not good then there is no way for us to do it better. We are by the Social Media Pavilion.

GlobeSt.com: What do you think the reception climate will be like? Similar to the past?

Kline: There are going to be as many parties. But maybe because of my age and experience I want to go to parties to meet people without the microphone on a social basis, so I have a more relaxed opportunity to talk with people. I want to go there, shake hands and just go there so people get to see me on a personal basis rather than the perception of Howard.

GlobeSt.com: What interviews do you have lined up that you are excited about?

Kline: We’re in the process of contacting a lot of people in our database. What we’ll be doing a little bit differently this year than last year is that we’re going to really work at delving into subject matter on topics that we will believe will be of interest to the listeners. I haven’t decided on the topics, but we will go deeper into the business issues. Not just the RECon issues. And they can market themselves.