GlobeSt.com is partnering with SIOR for its Spring World Conference May 1-4 in Palm Desert, CA. SIOR LIVE will provide coverage of the event until May 15, featuring pre-event articles, live video interviews on site and post-conference analysis.
SHANGHAI-Chris Cuff is the co-chair of SIOR's International Committee. His day job is as an executive director at Colliers International's Asia Office Services. We discussed how SIOR is expanding internationally, and what trends are taking place in the Asia-Pacific region.
GlobeSt.com: What kind of inroads has SIOR made internationally?
Chris Cuff: SIOR currently has almost 100 international members located in 34 countries around the world. In 2009, SIOR established the SIOR European Regional Council (ERC), SIOR's first chapter outside the US and Canada. The ERC has nearly 60 members across 15 countries in Europe and have hosted events in London, Brussels, Prague, Warsaw, and Cannes.
GlobeSt.com: Why is it important for international CRE professionals to become involved in the organization?
Cuff: As many companies become more international, their real estate services providers need to be able to provide assistance globally but referring business overseas can be complicated – for example, it's often difficult for a US-based broker to find a capable broker to assist them with their clients in another country. Using the SIOR network removes a lot of this risk because to be a member of SIOR brokers need to have demonstrated significant experience and a high-level of ethical behavior. For international CRE professionals, the added benefit is the connection to the much larger pool of SIOR brokers in North America and, through them, their clients.
GlobeSt.com: What do you think will be the main topics of discussion at this year's show?
Cuff:As usual there's a great line up of speakers and educational sessions. A group of us regularly host an international session where we discuss three or four countries from a real estate perspective.
GlobeSt.com: What is business like in the Asia Pacific region? Is it still booming or are you seeing a slowdown?
Cuff: Business is still booming in Asia – developers are buildings and occupiers are growing. Many companies are continuing to look to Asia as a source of growth – they growing existing offices and setting up new offices. Tier II and III cities in China are starting to get a lot more attention from Fortune 500 firms as well.
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