Given that the upcoming ICSC New York National Conference, being held in New York City on Dec. 9 and 10, is the association's second largest meeting of the year (Las Vegas, of course, is the largest), it shouldn't be surprising that it has in fact become a mini-RECon, attracting attendance from more than just the Northeast. That makes it a real touchstone for the industry's health, and according to one attendee, Jason Maier, director of the New York office of Stan Johnson Co., retail real estate's recovery continues apace. GlobeSt.com editors sat with Maier recently about the company's plans for this critical show.

“Well, if last year was the barometer, than we probably need a bigger barometer,” Maier tells my colleague, West Coast Editor Natalie Dolce. “Our meeting requests from investors, heads of acquisitions and dispositions from private equity, pension funds and institutions are up by 20%.”

Four of Johnson's preferred developers from the Midwest will be at the conference, Maier reports, and Johnson is finding increased interest from foreign capital sources. A quick glance at the registration list also shows attendees from Europe and even Hong Kong.