The 20/20 Chicago Global Real Estate Conference & Expo - CANCELLED

Check-In

Check-in will begin at 8:30 AM. A complimentary continental breakfast will be available to you - both are located in the Fainman Lounge.

30 min

Fainman Lounge

Beginner

Welcome Session & Keynote

We're kicking off our conference with an introduction by Chicago Association of REALTORS® CEO Michelle Mills Clement. She'll be joined by current CAR president Maurice Hampton to welcome you to the conference and recognize visiting dignitaries. Following our welcome remarks, we'll hear from keynote speaker Andrea Zopp, president and CEO of World Business Chicago, where she leads the organization’s mission of inclusive economic growth and job creation, supporting businesses and promoting Chicago as a leading global city. Our second Keynote speaker is Chicago Association of REALTORS® Hall of Fame member, John Rutledge.

60 min

Ida B. Wells Lounge

John Rutledge

John Rutledge | Founder, CEO and President | Oxford Capital Group, LLC A real estate investor, developer, entrepreneur and civic leader, John W. Rutledge is the Founder, President and CEO of Oxford Capital Group, LLC, an international real estate investment and development firm; its wholly owned management subsidiary, Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC; Oxford Living, […]

Andrea Zopp

President and CEO | World Business Chicago Andrea Zopp is the president and CEO of World Business Chicago, where she leads the organization’s mission of inclusive economic growth and job creation, supporting businesses and promoting Chicago as a leading global city. Prior to coming to World Business Chicago, she served as Deputy Mayor, Chief Neighborhood […]

Session I: North America | Risks, Opportunity, and Adaptation

North America is one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the world due to its few restrictions on ownership, ample profit potential and wide variety of opportunities for investors of all classes. Since exiting the economic downturn, North American real estate values have soared to meet or exceed the highs of more than a decade ago.  Some analysts believe the market is in for a correction, while others think volatility will rule the day. Three experts discuss the risks, potential opportunities and creative adaptations that mitigate perils for investors.

75min

Ida B. Wells Lounge

Grant Uhlir

Dr. Lawrence Yun

Lawrence Yun is Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS®.  He oversees and is responsible for a wide range of research activity for the association including NAR’s Existing Home Sales statistics, Affordability Index, and Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report.  He regularly provides commentary on real estate market […]

Scott Goodman

Scott Goodman serves as the founding principal of Farpoint Development. With a lifetime of experience in real estate development focusing on investor relations, procurement of financing and equity and transaction structuring, he serves as the foundation for the company. Scott’s deep insight into projects comes from involvement at each step of the process. His practical […]

Brandon Svec

North America is one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the world due to its few restrictions on ownership, ample profit potential and wide variety of opportunities for investors of all classes. Since exiting the economic downturn, North American real estate values have soared to meet or exceed the highs of more than a decade ago. Some analysts believe the market is in for a correction, while others think volatility will rule the day. Three experts discuss the risks, potential opportunities and creative adaptations that mitigate perils for investors.

Session II: Africa | The Next Frontier

75min

Ida B. Wells Lounge

Phumzile Mazibuko

As of January 2018, Ms Phumzile Mazibuko is the Consul General of South Africa in Chicago, where she is responsible for the overall management of the Consulate General. The Consul General will promote trade and investments, enhance people to people cooperation in the field of arts, culture, education, and effectively render consular services to South […]

Olivier Kamanzi

Olivier Kamanzi is a capital markets expert, international financial sector development consultant, global speaker, and philanthropist. He is Co-Founder and Chairman of Africa Global Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Chicago. Mr. Kamanzi is Chairman of African Union African Diaspora Sixth Region – Illinois, Chapter. He is Founder and CEO of Globrock Financial Group Inc., a […]

Lunch

Lunch will be provided in the Fainman Lounge at 12:45 PM.

2 hours

Fainman Lounge

Beginner

Session III: Latin America | Sustainability, Innovation & Investment

75 min

Ida B. Wells Lounge

Antonio Hanna Grayeb

Antonio Hannah Grayeb is serving as the President of the International Exchange Committee FIABCI for the 2019-2020 calendar season. Among his many credentials, he has spoken at conferences for the National Association of REALTORS®, the Texas Association of REALTORS®, Asia Real Estate Association of America, Real Estate Salon of Madrid, MIPIM Conference in France, FIABCI […]

Michael Simons

Michael David Simons is a U.S. citizen and a legal, permanent resident of the Papagayo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Michael Simons decided that it was time for a change of scenery and in 1999 booked a trip to Costa Rica. As soon as his feet first touched Pura Vida soil, Michael knew that this was his […]

Session IV: Asia | Economic Engine of the World

According to the 2019 NAR Profile of International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report, Asia accounted for 27% of all foreign buyers, the largest percentage in the U.S. As the continent is known as the largest economic region across the globe, we will take a closer look into new developments, risks and opportunities that will impact inbound and outbound real estate in the coming years. Additionally, this session will specifically address political risks for global investment and highlight new opportunities and necessary nuances you need to know when working with Asian buyers.

75 min

Ida B. Wells Lounge

Winchell Cheung

Mr. Winchell Cheung was appointed Director, Midwest of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in November 2013. Based in Hong Kong with 40 plus offices around the world, the Council is the statutory organization responsible for promoting and developing Hong Kong’s external trade.  Mr. Cheung heads the Council’s Chicago office. He is responsible for business […]

Session V: Europe | A View Across the Changing Continent

Join us as we examine the investment environment across an evolving EU landscape. Our panelists will provide a look into the current European economic environment, along with insights on investment opportunities and restrictions for foreign investors. We will journey from the ancient world, to a modern-day global economic leader, to a new economy emerging from decades behind the iron curtain.

75 min

Ida B. Wells Lounge

Beginner

Andras Juhasz

András Juhász currently acts as the trade commissioner for the Consulate General of Hungary in Chicago. After graduating from Shevchenko State University in Kiev, he moved his way up through the National Bank of Hungary, CIB Bank, the Embassy of Hungary, Mineralimpex Oil Trading Company and Creditanstalt. He then made his way to become the Director of Financial Institutes at the Hungarian Credit Bank, then […]

Dmitri Petropoulos

Dimitris Petropoulos was born in August 1969 in Thessaloniki, Greece. He graduated with an honors law degree from the University of Thrace and holds an Executive MBA degree from the Athens University of Economics and Business. He was also an Erasmus scholar of the European Union at the University of Essex where he read English and […]

Vidmantas Verbickas

Vidmantas Verbickas acts as a Counselor for economic affairs at the Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago since 2019. After obtaining his master’s degree in Engineering and Economics from Kaunas Technology University he was working in various businesses in marketing, international sales, technical and line manager fields for the tourism, apparel and publishing companies. As […]

Closing Session: Global Real Estate Awards and Reception

Join us for our closing session, where we'll host a special awards ceremony honoring this year's recipient of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Global Real Estate Council's Award for Innovation in Global Real Estate, followed by a cocktail reception. The Awards for Innovation in Global Real Estate will recognize two new or existing developments, one nationwide and one international, that exemplify thoughtful design, sustainable technology, innovative processes and significant community impact. Click here to apply and complete the awards application by Monday, March 16.

90 min