Real Estate Investment Society
Serving the real estate investment profession in Southwest Florida
Post Office Box 9247, Fort Myers, FL 33902-9247
www.reis-swfl.org
Bulletin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 31, 2017:
Leading Community Design Experts to headline 2017 Real Estate Symposium
FORT MYERS, FL – Robert Gibbs and David Dixon, two of the nation’s leading authorities on community planning and design, will address the 2017 Real Estate Symposium to be held at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) on September 14th. The annual event is presented by the Real Estate Investment Society (REIS) in partnership with the Lutgert College of Business at FGCU and the Calusa Chapter of the Florida Planning & Zoning Association.
Robert Gibbs, AICP, ASLA, CNU-A, will explain “New Strategies in Retail Planning and Development.” Gibbs is president of Gibbs Planning Group, based in Michigan, and is recognized for having pioneered the implementation of environmentally sustainable principles of traditional town planning and smart growth. While actively involved in design projects, he also lectures throughout the country, teaches “Urban Retail” at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and is the author of Principles of Urban Retail Planning and Development.
David Dixon, AIAF, will discuss “Planning Suburban Downtowns That Work.” Dixon is senior principal and Urban Design Group leader with Stantec and is based in the firm’s Boston office. Dixon is widely respected for his role in planning post-Katrina New Orleans, transforming strip malls into new suburban downtowns, and reappraising the role of density in community planning. In addition to current projects, he regularly presents at design and planning conferences and has co-authored Urban Design for an Urban Century: Shaping more livable, equitable, and resilient cities.
Local development trends and issues will be discussed by a panel including the keynote speakers, an economist, industry experts and government officials, moderated by Sean Ellis, Esq., of Roetzel & Andress.
REIS President Karen Miller notes that "Southwest Florida is adapting to new market trends and economics and REIS is pleased to provide a forum with knowledge and ideas that will help our members and our community leaders succeed inthis dynamic environment. The presenters are leading experts who will share their expertise with property owners, government officials, and real estate development professionals who attend.”
The half-day workshop will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. and the program at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, September 14th, at the Cohen Center Ballroom at FGCU. Admission is $25 for members of REIS or FPZA and $45 for all other interested persons, with the exception of FGCU students who may attend at no charge. Admission includes a campus parking pass and refreshments. Seating is limited and reservations are required by September 11th. AICP credits are pending approval. Reservations may be made online at www.reis-swfl.org.
ROETZEL is the title sponsor of the Symposium. Morris-Depew Associates and Sitti Engineering Group are the Gold Sponsors, with VIP Commercial, LandQwest Commercial Property Management, Crown Roofing, and Office Furniture & Design Concepts being Silver Sponsors. REIS is an independent professional organization, dedicated to assisting members in the effective utilization of real estate through networking, education, public service, and a common voice on pertinent issues. REIS information and program schedule are available at www.reis-swfl.org.
Further information: Noel Davies (239) 434-4937, Arleen Hunter (239) 949-6262,
or Bill Morris (239) 337-3993