Some of Europe's most promising young shopping center professionals attended this year's International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) European Retail Property School.
Nearly 100 students attended the school, based at the Mӧvenpick Hotel and The Amsterdam School of Real Estate, including eight young real estate professionals who won scholarships from the European Shopping Centre Trust, the trust for retail property education and research.
The European Retail Property School scholars were nominated by their national shopping center councils or their employers as being amongst the brightest and best young retail property professionals in their countries. They won their scholarships having submitting applications to the European Shopping Centre Trust.
Ermine Amies, Managing Director of ICSC in Europe, said: "As the largest professional and trade association for real estate in the world, we have a responsibility to offer high quality training to members. Continuous professional development is not an 'optional extra', especially in the current challenging economic environment. Well-qualified, knowledgeable property professionals are much better equipped to manage successfully in difficult times and develop a sustainable future for the industry and those employed within it."
Thierry Orban, 37, works for Devimo Shopping Centre Management Company as a Relationship Manager in charge of seven shopping centers across Belgium. He said: "It's so important to look beyond your own business and learn from others across Europe," he said. "I learned a great deal, both from the lecturers and my fellow students."
Stela Dhani, General Manager for the first international-style mall being developed in Tirana, the capital of Albania, studied on the Leasing course. She said: "I am responsible for leasing the new mall, and have very little free time available. I would not have been able to take five days out of my schedule when the mall is scheduled to open in November unless I was convinced of the course's value. This course was essential for me."
Every year the European Retail Property School delivers two levels of shopping center marketing and management training aimed at those who have recently entered the industry and those who wish to study at a more advanced level. For the first time this year, leasing has also been added to the School's curriculum. "Successful leasing strategies are essential for shopping centers wishing to maximise their income," says ICSC's Amies.
The courses are delivered by a faculty of highly-experienced industry professionals from across Europe.
Source: Nicky Godding
