metro
09-11-2007, 12:27 PM
Retail, shopping center industries meeting in OKC
September 11, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY – Hundreds of people involved in the retail and shopping center market will meet today in Oklahoma City to talk shop and attend presentations specific to the Oklahoma and Arkansas markets.
This year Oklahoma City is hosting the International Council of Shopping Centers Oklahoma/Arkansas Idea Exchange at the Skirvin Hilton. In previous years the event has been in Tulsa or Little Rock, Ark. Several members of the events planning committee said this is the first time they remember the event ever being held in Oklahoma City.“We’re happy that it’s downtown, and we’re happy that it’s at the Skirvin, because it showcases some of the best of Oklahoma City,” said Alison Oshel, a member of the program planning committee and the director of community development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.
Organizers of the event are hoping to have about 350 retailers, developers, lenders and others from around the region who are involved in retail and real estate deals.
The event will feature presentations and panel discussions as well as input by three Oklahoma City mayors.Former Mayor Kirk Humphreys hosted an afternoon bus tour of downtown on Monday to highlight $356 million in public projects that spurred an additional $3 billion investment in downtown.Former Mayor Ron Norick will participate in a riverfront development session and Mayor Mick Cornett will be speaking about the partnering of municipalities with the private sector to promote retail development. Oshel said the contributions by the mayors will help enhance the event for participants.“I think that’s significant because I think the reason we’re on a resurgence is because of those three men,” Oshel said.
Kevyn Colburn, co-chair of the event’s planning committee and vice-president of leasing for Morris Enterprises, said one highlight of the event will be a deal-making session.The session will allow retailers, brokers, developers and other interested parties to meet and network and possibly pursue some retailers to expand their presence in the two states or enter the markets for the first time.“
We want to showcase our city,” Colburn said. “We want them to come away seeing what’s going on in Oklahoma City and all the opportunities available.”The ICSC was founded in 1957 as a global trade association for the shopping center industry and holds its Idea Exchange sessions in markets around the country.
In a publication provided to attendees from the ICSC listing more than 200 shopping centers of interest around the country in 38 states, Oklahoma is noticeably absent.Oshel said on Monday she had not seen the publication, but said she was surprised that no Oklahoma malls made the list. One in particular she cited was Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City, which has been recognized as one Simon Property Group Inc.’s best malls. Oshel said she was optimistic that the association would recognize some of Oklahoma’s malls in the future.“Maybe next year we’ll be in that publication,” Oshel said.
The Journal Record
September 11, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY – Hundreds of people involved in the retail and shopping center market will meet today in Oklahoma City to talk shop and attend presentations specific to the Oklahoma and Arkansas markets.
This year Oklahoma City is hosting the International Council of Shopping Centers Oklahoma/Arkansas Idea Exchange at the Skirvin Hilton. In previous years the event has been in Tulsa or Little Rock, Ark. Several members of the events planning committee said this is the first time they remember the event ever being held in Oklahoma City.“We’re happy that it’s downtown, and we’re happy that it’s at the Skirvin, because it showcases some of the best of Oklahoma City,” said Alison Oshel, a member of the program planning committee and the director of community development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.
Organizers of the event are hoping to have about 350 retailers, developers, lenders and others from around the region who are involved in retail and real estate deals.
The event will feature presentations and panel discussions as well as input by three Oklahoma City mayors.Former Mayor Kirk Humphreys hosted an afternoon bus tour of downtown on Monday to highlight $356 million in public projects that spurred an additional $3 billion investment in downtown.Former Mayor Ron Norick will participate in a riverfront development session and Mayor Mick Cornett will be speaking about the partnering of municipalities with the private sector to promote retail development. Oshel said the contributions by the mayors will help enhance the event for participants.“I think that’s significant because I think the reason we’re on a resurgence is because of those three men,” Oshel said.
Kevyn Colburn, co-chair of the event’s planning committee and vice-president of leasing for Morris Enterprises, said one highlight of the event will be a deal-making session.The session will allow retailers, brokers, developers and other interested parties to meet and network and possibly pursue some retailers to expand their presence in the two states or enter the markets for the first time.“
We want to showcase our city,” Colburn said. “We want them to come away seeing what’s going on in Oklahoma City and all the opportunities available.”The ICSC was founded in 1957 as a global trade association for the shopping center industry and holds its Idea Exchange sessions in markets around the country.
In a publication provided to attendees from the ICSC listing more than 200 shopping centers of interest around the country in 38 states, Oklahoma is noticeably absent.Oshel said on Monday she had not seen the publication, but said she was surprised that no Oklahoma malls made the list. One in particular she cited was Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City, which has been recognized as one Simon Property Group Inc.’s best malls. Oshel said she was optimistic that the association would recognize some of Oklahoma’s malls in the future.“Maybe next year we’ll be in that publication,” Oshel said.
The Journal Record