VCU news

By Chad Meister

With questions looming about the debt ceiling, government shutdown and other topics relevant to the current state of the economy, the 2013 VCU Real Estate Trends Conference on Oct. 8 helped provide answers for hundreds of industry leaders.

The conference brought together real estate professionals from various industry sectors such as law, finance, construction, development, brokerage and appraisal to look into the future of real estate, share their expertise and make and strengthen professional relationships and friendships.

“This is very beneficial for real estate professionals from single-family to commercial," said panelist Vincent Toye, managing director and head of GSE National Production for Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital. "Being able to discuss trends and projections helps us gauge the market. This is one of the biggest conferences I’ve been to; it brings people from all different areas. I’d have to say I’m pretty impressed.”

The event opened with VCU President Michael Rao’s announcement of Richmond businessman Sam Kornblau’s $1 million donation to the VCU School of Business and the subsequent naming of the VCU Kornblau Real Estate Program. In 2006, Kornblau donated $2.5 million to VCU to create the program.

The conference featured presentations and a panel discussion during which attendees could tweet or email questions to panel members in real time. In between speakers, attendees had the opportunity to converse and network.

Alumni and students also attended the conference to gain insights into real estate trends and meet prospective employers.

“It’s really an amazing networking opportunity,” said Sinead Cumberbatch, a student in the VCU School of Business. “There’s much more than just real estate. There are lawyers, management and many other professionals attending that are involved in the industry. It’s a very informative event.”

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