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Program Details

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2008

Success Series Central – Open
7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Maximize your time at Success Series 2008 by interacting with colleagues from around the world. Visit with staff from IREM and CCIM and hear about the exciting services and benefits that come with membership. And stay in touch with your office at the Cyber Café.

Continental Breakfast
8:00 am – 9:00 am

Enjoy breakfast while visiting with the sponsors of Success Series 2008.

Sites of Chicago Tour
8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Open to Success Series attendees and their guests, this ticketed event will offer a taste of both Success Series and the city of Chicago. Begin the day with continental breakfast with the Success Series sponsors, followed by the opening session featuring keynote speaker Alison Levine. At 10:45 am, you’ll depart the Hilton Chicago for a 90-minute Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise with a professional guide recounting the dramatic story of Chicago’s rise from the Great Fire of 1871 to become the home to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. After the cruise, you’re off to the famous Park Grill at Millennium Park for lunch. Finally, you will visit two world-famous Chicago theaters for a backstage tour and to learn the secrets first hand of “How did they do that?”

Fee: $75 by September 12 ($100 after September 12).

Opening General Session
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Set Your Sites on the Summit
Alison Levine
Sponsor: REALTORS® Commercial Alliance

Alison Levine is no stranger to risk-taking. She has survived sub-zero temperatures, hurricane-force winds, sudden avalanches and a career on Wall Street. Born with a life-threatening heart condition that precluded most demanding physical activities, surgery changed her life – giving way to climbing mountains – and becoming the first female to lead an expedition on Mt. Everest. Ms. Levine’s 20-year business career encompasses healthcare, technology and finance. After earning her MBA from Duke University, she worked for Goldman Sachs, then left Wall Street to serve as Deputy Finance Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to become Governor of California. She is the founder and president of Daredevil Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in organizational effectiveness, leadership development and team dynamics. Set your sights on the summit and get ready to reach for new heights after spending your morning with Alison Levine – a person who never stops moving upward!

Concurrent Sessions 1-6

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Thrive to Survive (CS-1)

Moderator:


Adrian Arriaga, CCIM AAA Real Estate & Investments McAllen, TX

Panelists:


Kay Harris, CCIM KayHarris Real Estate Consultants Minneapolis, MN	Yvonne Jones, CCIM, CPM Zifkin Realty Management, LLC Chicago, IL

Sponsor: RE/MAX

When every headline and television newscast reports doom and gloom in the real estate market, it’s important for commercial real estate professionals to stay positive and look for alternative ways to increase wealth. Staying positive and active within a down market requires brokers to think outside the box and investigate alternative ways to thrive and survive. Join experienced commercial real estate professionals as they share their insight and knowledge of various strategies for growing your business and developing additional income avenues in uncertain times.

In this interactive session, you will explore:

Creative ways for expanding your business and taking on new ventures
Tactics for re-engineering your business for growth
How using technology can set you apart from your competition
Solutions for identifying new opportunities in a slow market

Working in Corporate Real Estate (CS-2)

Prentice Knight, Ph.D.
CoreNet Global, Inc.
Atlanta, GA

Sponsor: CoreNet Global

Corporate Real Estate is changing the nature of business. It’s playing a central role as new drivers like energy conservation, carbon reduction, the war for talent, technological change, location strategies, and flexible workplace practices are becoming increasingly important components. Join Prentice Knight, Ph.D., CEO of CoreNet Global, as he shares the insights and findings of CoreNet’s State of the Industry 2007-2008 Report. Through interactive discussions and case studies, you will learn the impact of these drivers in the decision-making process and the implications for brokers.

In this session, you’ll discover:

Why corporate real estate’s linkage to capital markets is rising dramatically
The impact of workplace mobility on the corporate real estate footprint
How corporate real estate is acting as integrator for HR, IT, energy management, conservation, carbon reduction and more
The importance of sustainability in becoming an embedded business practice
The influence of “green” in attracting young talent

Global Capital Flows in Chaotic Times (CS-3)

Moderator:


Marc A. Louargand, Ph.D., CRE, FRICS Saltash Partners, LLC West Hartford, CT 2008 American Real Estate Society (ARES) President

Panelists:


Bob White, FRICS Real Capital Analytics New York, NY	Sam Chandan, Ph.D. Reis New York, NY


Simon Rubinsohn The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors London, England

Sponsor: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Does global capital still like real estate? In 2007 there was $5 of investment capital for every $1 of commercial real estate product. The economy, the globalization of capital markets and real estate’s growing role as a global asset class have altered where the money comes from and how much it costs. So what’s the global perspective for the next 12 months? Attend this session and find out!

Maverick Marketing (CS-4)
Terri Langhans, COE (Chief of Everything)
Blah Blah Blah Etc., Inc.
Westminster, CA

Sponsor: LoopNet

Terri Langhans will have you looking at marketing in a very different way. How do you distinguish yourself from the competition, especially if most people think you all look alike? Walk away with creative ideas and tangible tools you can immediately implement to differentiate your property and services, get better results, and attract more tenants and business, regardless of how big (or small) your budget.

After this session, you will be able to:

Never look at marketing the same way again
Understand that marketing is more than advertising, promotion or sales
Win buy-in from new and old tenants and business suppliers

Strategic Planning Fundamentals & Expectations (CS-5)

Leonard I. Frenkil, Jr., CPM
WP & M Real Estate Group
Owings Mills, MD

Sponsor: VEXRAY.COM

Why should your organization commit time, energy and resources to the process of strategic planning? You are already successful and plenty busy, too! However, join esteemed IREM faculty member Len Frenkil for a 90-minute primer on process and expectations and find out why you need to commit resources to strategic planning. Real-life examples, ideas and justification for implementing this important business practice in your organization will be discussed.

This session will give you a better understanding of:

Why you need to make a commitment to strategic planning
How to start the process
How your organization will benefit

Don't be Left Behind: Now is the Time for Green Awareness (CS-6)


Madeleine Abel, CPM BECO Management, Inc. Rockville, MD	John Klein JDM Associates Falls Church, VA

Sponsor: ESRI

How can you reduce energy consumption? Water usage? Waste stream? Do you know what environmental impact your building is making on the world? Do you know what changes you can make today that will make an immediate change to better control and mitigate the impact? The entire life cycle of any building is wrought with environmental impacts, from development to operations to demolition. Understanding how buildings affect the environment will help you identify valuable strategies to mitigate those impacts.

After this session, you will be able to:

Understand the environmental impact of buildings
Prioritize where you need to begin
Better control and mitigate the environmental impact.

Networking Lunch

GIS Technology and Its Impact on You

Jack Dangermond
ESRI
Redlands, CA

Sponsor: DBSI

Geographic information system (GIS) technology is predicted to become one of the most universal and important technologies in the world, impacting all of our daily lives. Jack Dangermond is the founder and president of ESRI, a leading designer and developer of GIS software. Mr. Dangermond will discuss the critical business advantages of GIS technology and how real estate professionals can leverage it to create solutions in less time and improve results with comprehensive site analysis, mapping software, and demographic data in any given market. See firsthand how GIS technology provides a more competitive edge, drives business innovation, and increases ROI in the real estate industry. Don’t miss this fascinating and intuitive presentation!

Networking Break
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Concurrent Sessions 7-12
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

What’s Next for Upwardly Mobile Retail Real Estate Executives? (CS-7)

Moderator:

Rudolph Milian, SCMD, SCSM International Council of Shopping Centers New York, NY
Panelists:

David J. Contis, SCLS, SCDP Equity Properties and Development, LLC Chicago, IL	Norris R. Eber, SCSM, SCLS Joseph Freed and Associates, LLC Palatine, IL

Gordon J. Greeby, CDP The Greeby Companies, Inc. Lake Bluff, IL

Sponsor: ICSC

Knowledge is power in a fast-paced industry, and retail real estate executives are moving quickly through the ranks by undertaking training in many areas, including green building practices that increase building performance, operations techniques that save on costs, retail fundamentals to help optimize rental revenue, financial analyses that maximize investment returns and much more. With today's time constraints, how does a real estate professional make the selection of what is crucial? Let this panel of successful retail executives show you what worked for them as well as what they recommend for the team they lead.

Real Estate Meets Securities (CS-8)


Pete Johnson DBSI Bosie, ID	Jeff Warr DBSI Boise, ID

Discover what you need to know to work in the new TIC environment, an industry that is highly regulated. Hear from industry experts as they discuss the current market in light of the exemption from the SEC to allow commercial real estate professionals to receive fees for selling tenant-in-common properties as securities. You’ll also get an overview of 1031 exchanges, including the current and forecasted volumes, and review the various TIC structures and asset types being used today.

Economic Outlook: 2009 and Beyond (CS-9)

Lawrence Yun, Ph.D.
National Association of REALTORS®
Washington, DC

Sponsor: Ernst Commerical Properties

Dr. Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of REALTORS, will offer the latest forecast for commercial real estate markets coast to coast. Named among the top 10 economic forecasters by USA Today, Dr. Yun will discuss how economic conditions are impacting net absorption and vacancy rates, rent growth prospects, and commercial financing. He’ll also put a special emphasis on local market variations. You’ll leave this session knowing what’s ahead, what to expect, and how to be prepared.

Get to the Point! (CS-10)
Terri Langhans, COE (Chief of Everything)
Blah Blah Blah Etc., Inc.
Westminster, CA

Sponsor: FORT Properties

Get people to see things your way! Presentation skills are important whether you are communicating with a new tenant, an investor or a staff member. Your spoken words need to be well chosen and spoken in the right manner. Some people can talk for hours and never make their point. This session is for anyone who wants to be a clear, confident and convincing communicator. Know exactly how to make your next point and support it with the right mix of information. Score a direct hit even if you're talking to the cut-to-the-chase boss, the consensus-building staff or the tenant with a problem.
You’ll walk away from this session being able to:

Present yourself and communicate in a clear concise manner
Convince your audience that you know what they want and need
Use the tools learned here in all your verbal communications

Technology as a Strategy (CS-11)

Moderator:

Brad Setser
Yardi Systems, Inc.
Santa Barbara, CA

Panelists:


Thomas W. Sutphen, CPM The Towbes Group, Inc. Santa Barbara, CA	Stephen L. Burger, CPM Eugene Burger Management Corp. Rohnert Park, CA


James A. Evans, CPM Bruce G. Pollock & Associates Grand Blanc, MI	Yvonne Jones, CCIM, CPM Zifkin Realty Management, LLC Chicago, IL

Sponsor: Yardi Systems, Inc.

Over the last decade, real estate technology has fully matured in its role as a strategic part of a business plan. Real estate management software systems have transformed from administrative management tools to primary enablers for advancing business strategies for service, competition, compliance, expansion, and client confidence. In today’s industry, adopting technology as a strategy is no longer an option. Real estate business leaders at every level must make careful choices and understand the impact that technology will have on their companies’ success. Leading companies will participate in this panel discussion sharing their strategies, obstacles and challenges.

In this session, you will learn how to:

Develop technology strategies
Implement a system and leverage it for maximum return
Overcome obstacles for adopting a technology system

Before Disaster Strikes (CS-12)
Richard F. Muhlebach, CPM
Kennedy-Wilson Properties NW
Bellevue, WA

Do you have an emergency disaster recovery plan? This session will offer guidelines for planning and implementing emergency procedures for residential and commercial properties. Learn how the real estate manager can prepare for anticipated and unanticipated disasters and emergencies. Suggestions will be provided on developing an emergency plan and training the management staff and the building’s residents or commercial tenants.

After this session, you will be able to:

Develop an emergency plan manual
Train your staff to handle disasters and recovery
Handle anticipated and unanticipated emergencies

Happy Hour with Success Series Sponsors
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Enjoy a host bar and the opportunity to mingle not only with colleagues, but with the companies that play an integral role in the success of your business.

Success Series Extravaganza
7:00 pm

Sponsor: Yardi Systems, Inc.

Better than your basement game room and beyond a “gamer’s paradise,” Success Series Extravaganza will feature an arcade of hi-tech and old school games – complemented by great music and delectable cuisine. Challenge yourself (and your friends) to a putting contest or game of foosball. Get an electronic workout at the Wii stations and test your skill shooting pool. You won’t want to miss this rousing event!

One ticket to this event is included in your full registration fee. Please note on the registration form if you are planning to attend this event.

Tickets may be purchased for guests or others who wish to attend the event. Ticket price is $75 by September 12 ($100 after September 12).

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Success Series Central – Open
7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Continental Breakfast
8:00 am – 9:00 am

Enjoy breakfast while visiting with the sponsors of Success Series 2008.

Concurrent Sessions 13-18
9:00 am – 10:30 am

Investment Power Panel (CS-13)

Moderator:


Mark Macek, CCIM Macek Companies, Inc. Great Falls, MT
Panelists:

Scott Bazoian, CCIM, SIOR Colliers Turley Martin Tucker St. Louis, MO	Terence P. Coyne, CCIM Grubb & Ellis Cleveland, OH

U. S. Navy Admiral Hyman Rickover once said “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” Meet and listen to some great minds as this power panel of successful real estate professionals converge for 90 minutes of dynamic dialogue. Gain experienced perspectives of success stories and best practices from these CCIMs who use diverse strengths and strategies to make an impact on the marketplace. You’ll come away with new insight that could help you make more money.

Effective Strategies for Navigating through the Development Process (CS-14)

Mary Hurley, CCIM, RPA
Pineloch Management Company
Orlando, FL

Sponsor: Butler Real Estate

Each link in the complex and multi-faceted real estate development process affects the success of the project. Do you have every angle covered, from essential contract considerations to title insurance issues? Explore the process of development from the initial project consideration to the individual steps involved in each stage, including topics of raw land development and renovation of existing properties. This interactive session will fill in the holes, eliminate the mystery and provide an update on all aspects of development to confront even the toughest real estate development dilemmas.

In this session, you will:

Indentify the elements of the critical path from project inception to delivery
Explore best practices and potential pitfalls of development projects
Learn how to avoid common pitfalls by mastering licensing and permitting issues
Understand how to integrate design and engineering concerns

The “Wall-Streetizing” of Real Estate Debt (CS-15)
Jim Clayton
Pension Real Estate Association
Hartford, CT

Sponsor: PREA

CMBS, CDO, CDS, CMBX: What does it all mean to you? This session will focus on the impact of the revolutionary shift to structured finance products in real estate debt markets over the past decade. Securitization and subsequent innovations have pushed the envelope to allow investors to exploit potential arbitrage opportunities, provide new tools for managing mortgage credit risk, and permit investors to take “synthetic” positions in commercial mortgages. The newest of these innovations is CMBX, which offers a way for investors to take positions in commercial mortgage backed securities without buying any. The CMBX indices have recently attracted a great deal of attention in business and real estate industry publications as the current pricing of CMBX appears to forecast a significant downturn in commercial property prices and rise in conduit loan defaults. This session will help participants understand why these changes have taken place, how they have contributed to the current credit crisis and what the implications are for commercial mortgage finance and property markets going forward.

Terms of Agreement: Interest-based Negotiation (CS-16)
John Shulman
Alignor
St. Paul, MN

Real estate is driven by relationships, and effective negotiation is about building profitable and sustainable relationships. Utilizing an interest-based model and applying the ideas developed at Harvard University, John Shulman will share proven tools and methodologies that real estate managers and brokers can use to create an effective and streamlined process to manage negotiations, handle business challenges, and resolve high-stakes disputes. Shulman has wide-ranging experience from Middle East peace issues to commercial real estate transactions. Don’t miss this session on this always-popular topic.

After attending, you’ll be able to:

Understand that the most practical and effective approach to negotiation enables practitioners to build and leverage relationships for sustainable value
Structure presentations in a persuasive manner so that elements of your offer are connected to the needs of the people to whom you present the offer
Close deals by confirming that your offer satisfies the needs of others more effectively than their alternatives

Project Management Made Easy (CS-17)

Larry Johnson
Johnson Training Group
Phoenix, AZ

Sponsor: Peirce College

In today's highly competitive business world, more and more work is project oriented. Most work has a beginning and an end, requires clearly defined goals and objectives, and has a predetermined and limited budget. However, resources can be scarce and it can be difficult to coordinate the efforts and time of other people. Larry Johnson will share easy-to-use tools guaranteed to make your projects more successful.

After this session, you will be able to:

Answer the key magic questions every project manager should know
Clarify and align your project's goals with your organization's mission
Motivate team members to complete their parts of the project on time and within budget

Lions Walk Softly So They Can Listen (CS-18)
Dr. John Powers
The Powers of Motivation Institute
Lake Geneva, WI

Sponsor: On-Site.com

Lions walk very softly and silently through the jungle, listening to what is around them. When lions act, they do so because they have listened. A great leader is one who walks softly and listens to those around them. In real estate management, you need to listen not only to your tenants and business partners, but to your staff and colleagues. A strong leader is not the focus of attention, but rather is the source of it for others. No organization or business has ever succeeded without great leadership. Join master motivator, Dr. John Powers, for this inspiring session and invigorate the leader in you!

This session will help you:

Recognize leadership traits within yourself
Become a great leader by listening to those around you
Inspire others to greatness

Networking Break
10:30 am – 11:00 am

Concurrent Sessions 19-24
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Capital Markets (CS-19)

Moderator:


Mike Kent RREEF Chicago, IL

Panelists:


Marc C. DeLuca ING Clarion Washington, DC	Erik Foster, CCIM Grubb & Ellis Chicago, IL


Jon L. Dooley Behringer Harvard Addison, TX

In an uncertain economy, real estate can be one of the safest havens for investment capital, provided the supply and demand stay in relative balance. See how institutional investors view various markets around the country and what product types meet investor criteria. This stellar panel features leading professionals that are actively involved in major transactions around the country. In this session, you will learn about and have the opportunity to discuss:

What deals are getting done and how is the capital market adjusting to today’s property market conditions
Where is capital getting placed today and what are the favored markets, assets and structures
How are lenders underwriting market and interest rate risk
How have the investor return expectations changed in light of today’s market

It’s Easy to Go Green with LEED Certification (CS-20)
Andrew Magliochetti, CCIM
Helios Realty and Development
Chicago, IL

The U.S. market for green building materials and services jumped to nearly $12 billion last year, up from $7 billion in 2005, according to the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit group comprised of more than 12,000 organizations dedicated to increasing energy-efficient building practices. This indicates that the commercial real estate industry is moving towards green building as a standard. Are you ready to adapt? Attend this session to gain an in-depth understanding of:

Key features of sustainable development practices to be considered in new development projects
Navigating through the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ and its universally-accepted tools and performance criteria for sustainable green building and development practices
Cost variables of obtaining the USGBC’s LEED certification
Value-added opportunities for commercial real estate professionals when you incorporate sustainable strategies into your business

Technology Showcase of Gadgets (CS-21)
Todd Clarke, CCIM
NM Apartment Advisors, Inc.
Albuquerque, NM

Sponsor: REApplications

With the rapid advancements made in technology over the past ten years, today’s real estate professional has been forced to adapt to an expectation by clients and tenants that they be accessible on a 24/7 basis. Discover first-hand the products available to help you serve your clients from anywhere. Examine the benefits and drawbacks of various products including laptops, PDAs, portable printers and other technology “gadgets”.
After this session, you’ll know how to:

Identify the technology tools that are right for you
Better meet the increasing demands of your clients wherever you are working
Become a mobile giant

Developing Effective Proposals (CS-22)
Teri Goudie
Goudie Media Services, Ltd
Hinsdale, IL

Success Series attendees continuously rank Teri Goudie among their favorite speakers. Her message and insights have helped hundreds of real estate managers become more successful communicators and more effective leaders. This session will offer a simple formula that sets you up for success when writing proposals. You will learn the power of a strong headline, the strategy of using verbal pictures and the need for a flow that carries the reader to your last sentence with passion.

After this session, you will be able to:

Successfully write proposals
Strategically use verbal pictures
Create a proposal that carries passion within its boundaries

Zap the Gap (CS-23)


Meagan Johnson Johnson Training Group Phoenix, AZ	Larry Johnson Johnson Training Group Phoenix, AZ

You are a 50-year-old veteran, and you just found out your new boss is 24. Or the hot shot graduate you hired (and overpaid) just quit for no reason. Or your best staff person – a super stellar performer – wants to work part time. Glean a unique perspective from a father/daughter team as they explain how to "zap the gap" between the generations. You’ll be amazed at what you hear!

In this session, you will learn:

How to understand yourself and your generation
How to understand the generations of co-workers, employees and customers
What to do when challenged by a different generation

Marketing Residential Properties: The Science & the Magic (CS-24)

Kathleen Harmon, CPM
McKenna Management Associates, Inc.
Minnetonka, MN

Laurence C. Harmon, CPM
McGough Development, LLC
Roseville, MN

Sponsor: On-Site.com

Real estate leasing and selling is a challenge that can be overcome by people who understand their customers – what they value and how they buy. Learn how the customer’s age dictates values; how to talk less and listen more; and how a revolutionary guest card can be a coaching tool. Join Academy of Author members Laurence and Kathleen Harmon as they share their winning strategies for effective marketing.

After this session, you will be able to:

Understand what your customers value and how they buy
Listen more
Coach through the use of a guest card

Keynote Lunch
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Dave Barry

Pulitzer Prize winner Dave Barry will share his thoughts about politics, the media and the absurdities of everyday life. Here's a chance to look at the upcoming elections from a unique, light-hearted perspective! Mr. Barry's critically-acclaimed weekly column ran in several hundred newspapers for over 15 years. His books have all been best-sellers, from Dave Barry Talks Back to Dave Barry's Money Secrets, using humor to present fresh insights into serious issues. Do not miss this opportunity to hear from one of America's most famous humorists.

Concurrent Sessions 25-27
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

If I’m Odd, Does that Make Us Even? (CS-25)

Dr. John Powers
The Powers of Motivation Institute
Lake Geneva, WI

Each of us is a once-in-a-universe happening. Yet, at the same time, we are 99% alike. By sharing that 1% uniqueness, we learn from one another and help change the world together. That 1% is where the fun occurs. Great leaders know this by celebrating the unique talents of each member of their team, while at the same time recognizing that special someone who has the passion to become an outstanding leader. The trick is how do you recognize that person? Further, how do you act as a coach and mentor and possibly deal with your fear of them overshadowing you?

After this session, you will be able to:

Recognize leadership traits in others
Become a coach and mentor and develop leadership traits in others
Allow those with outstanding leadership skills to move upward and onward

The Business Case for Workforce Diversity (CS-26)

Guy Summers
Farrell Group, L.L.C.
Chicago, IL

In this session you'll learn how hiring, retaining, and promoting diverse professionals can lead to a high-performing company. Discover the benefits of diversity and the positive financial impact that has been experienced by organizations that are leaders in diversifying workforces at all levels.

You’ll learn how to:

Explore specific success strategies for developing diverse workforces
Understand how workforce diversity connects to organizational value
Review methods that measure the impact of diversity activities
Appreciate the power of diverse leadership on the organization
Look at challenges associated with diversity and the real estate industry

The Impact of International Investors and Buyers on the U. S. Real Estate Market (CS-27)

Manfred Chemek, CCIM, CIPS, RICS, SEC, RECS, GRI
Manhelm International
Aurora, CO

Sponsor: Stewart Title

Designed for those looking to increase their business, this session will give you valuable insight into the investors coming to the U.S. as a result of the weak dollar. Find out how to get in front of these investors in order to get them to invest in your market and in your listings! And if you’re a real estate manager, find out what will get them to use your property management business.

After attending this session, you will learn:

The amount of foreign investment in the U.S.
Who are the buyers?
What are they buying?
Where and why are they buying?
What are the preferred primary and secondary market attributes that draw international investors to your market?
The effect of currency exchange rates
What’s in it for you?

Merchandise Mart Tour
3:00pm - 5:00pm

Built by master retailer Marshall Field & Co., the Merchandise Mart’s history occupies a grand place in the city of Chicago. Field built the Mart with the vision of creating a single, national wholesale center under one roof. When Joseph P. Kennedy purchased the property in 1945, he ushered in a new era of mercantile pride by reviving the original concept of the building and gradually allowing public access.

The Mart, which is the world’s largest commercial building, has obtained the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Building (LEED-EB) Silver certification. Now the fifth building in Chicago to become LEED® certified, the efforts of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. to promote exemplary green building practices and environmental stewardship throughout the 4.2 million square foot facility are being recognized as the industry standard for high performance green buildings.

Please register for this tour onsite at the conferenceat the Success Series Registration Desk. Space is limited.

Wrap Party – Chicago Style
7:00 pm

Psst . . . if you know da password to get in, you’ll be transported back to da 1920’s and da Boss’s 1928 Ford Model A car, a replica of da St. Valentine’s Day wall, and pictures of da Gangsters and da coppers from da times. You’ll also be served great good and great hooch (uh, dat’s liquor) by da gangsters and da flappers!

Come with us to Tommy Gun’s Garage, an audience interactive “speakeasy” offering a Roaring 20’s musical comedy revue. After dinner, join Vito, Gloves, da Mugs and da Molls for non-stop comedy and dangerously-fun singing, dancing and a lot of audience participation!

The ticket price includes entertainment, dinner and a limited host bar.
Fee: $75 by September 12 ($100 after September 12).