Retail Real Estate Leaders Convene in Warsaw for First time in a Decade
The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), in association with the Polish Council of Shopping Centers, will hold its annual European Conference on 24-25 April in Warsaw, Poland at the Hilton Hotel and Convention Center.
The 42nd edition of ICSC’s European flagship event provides thought-leadership for retail real estate professionals, representing the opportunity to gain fresh insight and cutting-edge trends.
Key topics include:
Making Sense of 2017 and Beyond: demographic insights on the changing economic, political, and social trends that will influence and reshape the retail real estate industry
Retail – the Heart of Great Cities: insight into how retail is driving urban regeneration, transforming communities and reinvigorating economies.
Emerging Innovation: experts will share how to revolutionise business through innovation and cutting-edge technology.
The conference features Retail Futurist Howard Saunders, who has been predicting the fast changing, ground breaking world of retail for thirty years. He will take attendees on a visual journey, demonstrating how integral retail is to our cities, high streets, and most importantly, our communities. Howard Saunders comments: “I believe shopping is not only the engine of our economy, it’s the foundation of a thriving community. This isn’t some business to business thing, this is life.”
Conference highlights also include the announcement of the winners of the 2017 European Shopping Centre Awards, recognising the region’s most outstanding new, refurbished and established shopping centres.
Bill Kistler, ICSC Executive Vice President & Managing Director – EMEA, comments: “We are delighted that the 2017 ICSC European Conference will take place in Warsaw, which last hosted this conference in 2007. Since that time, the number of shopping centres has increased by 75%, considerably expanding the city’s retail offerings. It will be wonderful for our attendees to take in first-hand the positive effects this industry has had on local communities.”
Patrick Delcol, President of the Polish Council of the Shopping Centers, comments: "Ten years after its first ever, and very successful, Warsaw event, the ICSC Annual Conference is to be back in the capital city of Poland. Our National Council is delighted to welcome this renowned, high-quality industry event for the second time in a decade – a decade in which we have seen considerable growth and change. The 2017 European Conference will be the occasion for our organisation, our European peers and ICSC colleagues to both reflect on the past and look ahead to the future for our industry – not just in Poland but across the globe.”
The findings from a global study exploring trends for foodservice within retail real estate, including insights from stakeholders across the industry, from occupiers to investors, will be launched at the Warsaw Conference. ICSC commissioned JLL to deliver a 360-degree view of current challenges, risks and opportunities. ICSC President & CEO Tom McGee comments: “The future for the foodservice sector is bright, but as it matures so does the need for greater rigour when planning and executing foodservice strategies. This study provides the retail and leisure industry with guidance and insight to navigate the opportunity posed by the foodservice sector and to help plan successfully for the future.”
For more information about the ICSC European Conference please visit www.icsc.org/europeanconference
