Real estate leaders to reveal 'Market Discipline' lessons at Schulich

Interactive panel discussion to inform REALpac book launch on Nov. 6

TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada's top real estate leaders will reveal personal and leadership attributes that have shaped Canada's uniquely resilient industry in the wake of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression at a Nov. 6 panel discussion at Schulich School of Business to celebrate the publication of Market Discipline by the Real Property Association of Canada (REALpac).

Market Discipline, The Competitive Advantage: Lessons from Canada's Real Estate Leaders, written by William J. Ferguson, explores the leadership, mentorship and values that, along with conservative fiscal and lending practices, have driven the success of Canada's billion-dollar real property sector, relative to other real estate markets around the world.

Through the experiences, stories and reflections shared by these top executives, Market Discipline illustrates that the way leaders conduct themselves - their ethics, their sense of fairness - is the key differentiator between success and failure.

"My research shows that a high quality of leadership has made a measureable impact on the strength of Canada's real estate industry," said Mr. Ferguson, who conducted one-on-one interviews with many of the most notable people in the Canadian real estate industry.

At the Nov. 6 launch at Schulich, Mr. Ferguson will lead an interactive panel discussion with Michael Cooper, Chair of Dundee REIT; David Podmore, Chairman and CEO, Concert Properties; and Dori Segal, Vice Chair and President, First Capital Realty Inc., who are featured in the book.

"Market Discipline is a must-read for anyone seriously aspiring to make it in the commercial real estate business," said Andre Kuzmicki, Executive Director of Schulich's Real Estate and Infrastructure Program. "There is much to be learned from leaders who exemplify the personal qualities that appear to contribute to long-term success in the highly competitive real estate industry."

The 180-page hardcover book, published by the REALpac, also profiles Lorne Braithwaite, President and CEO, Build Toronto; Micheal Dal Bello, SVP, AIMCo;  Michael Emory, President and CEO,  Allied Properties REIT; Bruce Flatt, CEO, Brookfield Asset Management; Scott Hutcheson, Chairman and CEO, Aspen Properties Ltd.; Sam Kolias, Chairman and CEO, Boardwalk REIT; and Edward Sonshine, CEO, RioCan.

Tickets to the Nov. 6 event, which includes a copy of Market Discipline, are $80. To register for the event [click here]. The book is also available for purchase through REALpac's website [click here].

About the Author
William J. Ferguson is chairman and CEO of Ferguson Partners Ltd. and co-chairman and co-CEO of FPL Advisory Group. Ferguson Partners Ltd. is a global executive recruitment consultancy, and FPL Associates specializes in strategic and organizational assignments, as well as executive compensation consulting. He executes senior management recruiting mandates, with a specialization in president and chief executive officer searches and recruitment for boards of directors. He also facilitates CEO succession planning assignments and assessments of public company boards and senior management. Ferguson holds a BA from Harvard University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and an MBA in marketing from the Wharton Graduate School of Business.

Testimonials:
"Author Bill Ferguson, an expert in leadership and the global real estate sector, goes behind the scenes with in-depth interviews with many of Canada's leaders in real estate and development. Here are the names and firms that have made a difference, those who have withstood the test of time and who share their experiences along the way. This is a must-read for anyone in business today - inside and outside the real estate industry."- Gordon E. Arnell, Director, Brookfield Office Properties

"Market Discipline brings together a who's who in Canadian real estate to share their personal stories as they chronicle the development of the industry, from offshoots of natural resources companies, to private enterprises, and now real estate investment trusts (REITs). Although the industry has evolved greatly over the years, the ethics and values of the leaders have remained the same, which goes a long way to explain the health and vitality of this sector today."- Paul Campbell, former President & CEO, SITQ

About REALpac
REALpac is Canada's senior national industry association for owners and managers of investment real estate.  Our members include publicly traded real estate companies, real estate investment trusts (REITs), private companies, pension funds, banks and life insurance companies with investment real estate assets each in excess of $100 million.  The association is further supported by large owner/occupiers and pension fund advisors as well as individually selected investment dealers and real estate brokerages.
www.realpac.ca

About the Schulich School of Business
Known as Canada's Global Business School™, the Schulich School of Business is ranked among the world's leading business schools by a number of global surveys. Schulich offers undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate business degrees that lead to careers in the private, public and nonprofit sectors, and has more than 24,000 alumni working in over 90 countries. www.schulich.yorku.ca

SOURCE: Real Property Association of Canada

Carolyn Lane, VP, Membership, Marketing & Communications
Real Property Association of Canada
Telephone: [phone] x 223
Email: [email protected]

Elayne Shapiro
Communications, Media & Public Relations Schulich School of Business
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]