DDR's FFO per diluted share rose 3.7 percent from a year ago to $0.28. The U.S. portfolio was 95.1 percent leased as of March 31, up 10 basis points from a year ago.

Other REITs also reported healthy results. Kimco Realty Corp. said that its adjusted Fund from Operations (FFO) per diluted share was $0.34, up from $0.32 in the first quarter of last year. Pro-rata occupancy was 94.7 percent for the quarter, up 100 basis points from the year-ago period.

Oak Brook, IL-based Retail Properties of America said its FFO per share rose from $0.13 in the first quarter of 2013 to $0.28 this year. Percentage leased (but not necessarily occupied) rose 190 basis points from a year ago to 94.6 percent.

For the first quarter of 2014, Regency Centers reported core FFO per share of $0.69, up from $0.64 for the same period last year. Same-properties percentage leased was 94.9.

FFO per diluted share at Brixmor Property Group totaled $0.44, up from $0.40 from the same quarter a year ago. The portfolio was 92.3 percent leased, up 110 basis points from the first quarter of 2013.

Adjusted FFO at Indianapolis-based Kite Realty was $0.13 per diluted share, up from $0.13 per share a year ago. The owned retail GLA was 95.3 percent leased at the end of the quarter, up from 94.5 percent leased a year ago. The company's previously announced plan to acquire Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust for $1.2 billion is progressing, CEO John Kite said at his conference call, and could close quickly if shareholder approvals are given in June.

“The environment right now is very strong because you have not only the national retailers expanding on the small shop side, you have the regional players and the mom and pop shops are expanding too,” Kite said.

But there is one sector that is seeing major development—outlets. Tanger Factory Outlets reported adjusted FFO per share of $0.45, up 7.1 percent from the year-ago quarter. Comparable-tenant sales rose 1.2 percent to $387 per square foot. The company plans three grand openings this year, reported President and CEO Steven Tanger said in the company's conference call.: a 400,000-square-foot outlet center near Charlotte; its first ground-up development in Canada, the 303,000-square-foot Tanger Outlets in Ottawa; and an expansion and renovation of Tanger Outlets Cookstown near Toronto.

Like nearly every mall REIT, Tanger had been planning to sell some centers. That has changed—due to a nearby redevelopment, though divestitures could be reconsidered later on.

“During the sales process we identified a potential redevelopment and expansion opportunity at one property [a California center located near a potential casino development] that appears very promising and has generated significant tenant demand,” Tanger said. “We have decided to put any potential transaction on hold for now, while we pursue the redevelopment.”

Certain—but not all—development may be difficult, but all in all, not a bad way to come to an exhausting convention. My GlobeSt.com colleagues and I will keep you posted from Las Vegas!