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Industry’s Resounding Vote of Confidence at REIW Asia 2005
An event of epic proportion
In just 3 days, Real Estate Investment World Asia 2005 at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, brought players of real estate in Asia and the international scene together and formed a bridge of understanding and networking that has never been paralleled ever before. The 4th annual REIW Asia saw an incredible spurt of growth in turnout and attracted over 570 top level participants from across 30 countries this year, including a celebrity line-up of key investors and big names in the Asian real estate investment space.
The major focus was the 2-day high-level conference where the substantive programme emphasized “hot” industry topics, quality speakers, and dialogue amongst market players and policy makers in Asian real estate. It served as an invaluable meeting point for the major players to interact with one another. “There were a lot of exciting debate, comments and new announcements at the conference, which reflected the growing confidence in both the region and asset class” said Mr Richard Ireland, Managing Director of Terrapinn Asia.
Star-studded speaker faculty
Drawing several who’s who in the industry, the event had players such as Michael Smith, Head of Real Estate, Asia Investment Banking, UBS Investment Bank; Justin Chiu, Executive Director, Cheung Kong Holdings; David Brush, Global Head, Real Estate Opportunities Group, DB Real Estate; and Michael McCook, Senior Investment Officer, Investments - Real Estate, California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS); Antony Green, Head of Real Estate, Asia, Investment Banking Group, Macquarie Bank; David Schaefer, Managing Director, Head of Citigroup Property Investors-Asia/Pacific; Pua Seck Guan, Chief Executive Officer, CapitaMall Trust Management; Michael Nielsen, Managing Director, Real Estate, ATP (Danish’s largest pension scheme); Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist, AMP Capital Investors; Shuji Tomikawa, Managing Director, Mitsui Fudosan Investment Advisors; Datuk Kris Azman Abdullah, Director of Issues and Investment Division, Securities Commission (Malaysia); Wilfred Wong, Vice-Chairman & Chief Operating Officer, Shui On Land amongst many others.
Diverse and in-depth programme
With an outstanding panel of nearly 50 speakers over the 3-day event, the expanded programme took a broad view of the international market while still focusing on key Asian issues. The main areas covered included: Drivers of demand for Reits and opportunities for Asia; regulatory updates and developments of real estate investment in Asia; business development and capital raising strategies; investments into China Reits products; Country market updates on Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, China and India; Cross border investments and joint venture partnerships; capital inflows and asset allocation strategies; real estate investment strategies and structures for Asia; growth areas and prospects for property developers and more. All these issues, whilst obviously not exclusively unique to the Asian market, were relevant and of crucial importance to the development of the industry of Asia.
Networking Galore!
Real Estate Investment World Asia 2005 wasn’t merely about evaluating strategies and learning industry best practices. Speakers and delegates also had a great time networking and having fun amongst industry peers and friends! Held alongside the conference was a host of exciting social activities, including a “Cirque du Solei” themed cocktail reception, “Speed Networking” (an innovative spin off of “Speed Dating”) and an intimate closing party at Martini Bar of Grand Hyatt. The robust business networking opportunities afforded enabled participants to build alliances and cut business deals. The exhibition area also facilitated direct and intensive contact with the target groups that exhibitors and delegates were eyeing for.
Overall, Real Estate Investment World Asia 2005 was extremely well received by the Asian real estate and investment community, with most affirming their support again in 2006. “Over the past 3 years that I have participated, I have seen your conference grow and grow - you have done an excellent job to create such a forum where it is so easy to meet a wide-range of property professionals.” said John So, Head of Fund Management, Grosvenor.
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