Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC.

LAS VEGAS—Walking around the ICSC RECon conference floor and seeing the level of energy and the level of deal-making speaks to the strength of the industry today and the future. Those thoughts were according to Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC.

In a video interview live at the convention with Jesse Tron, VP of communications at ICSC, McGee says that “Clearly there is recognition around trends impacting the industry, but those trends represent an opportunity. The underlying strength in the industry is quite strong.”

He explains that the level of excitement is there and speaks to the strength of our industry and the broader economy as well. “In many ways our industry is a bellwether,” he says.

For example, he points out that sales within shopping centers alone are 15% of US GDP.

The social impact is also huge, he explains. “Shopping centers have become America's new downtown in many respects.” And from that perspective, he adds, it is very much a fundamental part of the community.

On the technology front, a lot of times, in the public dialogue there is a sense of bricks versus clicks, he says, pointing out that it is an old mentality. The reality, he continues, is that tech has been integrated into everyone's life and shopping is no different. “Consumers migrate between the two.”

To watch the full interview, click here.

Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC.

LAS VEGAS—Walking around the ICSC RECon conference floor and seeing the level of energy and the level of deal-making speaks to the strength of the industry today and the future. Those thoughts were according to Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC.

In a video interview live at the convention with Jesse Tron, VP of communications at ICSC, McGee says that “Clearly there is recognition around trends impacting the industry, but those trends represent an opportunity. The underlying strength in the industry is quite strong.”

He explains that the level of excitement is there and speaks to the strength of our industry and the broader economy as well. “In many ways our industry is a bellwether,” he says.

For example, he points out that sales within shopping centers alone are 15% of US GDP.

The social impact is also huge, he explains. “Shopping centers have become America's new downtown in many respects.” And from that perspective, he adds, it is very much a fundamental part of the community.

On the technology front, a lot of times, in the public dialogue there is a sense of bricks versus clicks, he says, pointing out that it is an old mentality. The reality, he continues, is that tech has been integrated into everyone's life and shopping is no different. “Consumers migrate between the two.”

To watch the full interview, click here.

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Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.

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