Four RICS Fellows to Speak at ‘Bridging U.S. and Emerging Real Estate Markets’ Conference

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RISMEDIA, Sept. 2, 2008-Cityscape, one of the world’s largest real estate investment events, is coming for the first time to North America with Cityscape USA, inviting four prominent RICS Fellows (FRICS) to join interactive panel sessions. RICS Americas, the New York City-based division of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), London, UK, will also be participating at the exhibition to be held on Sept. 9-12 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Cityscape USA comes at a crucial time in investment strategy for international real estate professionals. The conference will analyze investment opportunities and challenges in emerging markets and investment into the U.S. market, including the recent Abu Dhabi Investment Council’s sovereign wealth fund’s purchase of a 90% stake in the Chrysler Building. A report recently published by Global Capital Trends confirmed that investment from emerging markets is entering into the U.S. market at an astonishing rate, noting that “at least one-third of all property acquisitions involved a foreign buyer or capital partner in 2007.” Another report recently published by Global Capital Trends indicated that U.S.-based investors were equally as active overseas in 2007, with more than $70 billion in international property acquisitions.

The following RICS Fellows will participate in interactive panel sessions:

? Tim Weale FRICS, partner of Capital Markets Group at Cushman & Wakefield, UK, will join the “Dubai and the UAE – The Big Picture: Where Are We Now And What Is To Follow?” panel on Sept. 10 to discuss Dubai as a premier tourism destination, business center and financial hub. In addition, the panel will discuss if the Dubai government and legal system is prepared for sophisticated investors and institutions. Weale is slated to speak at two additional upcoming Cityscape conferences, including the Dec. 2008 conference in Bombay, India, and another in Shanghai in July 2009.

? Robert M. White, Jr. FRICS, founder and president of Real Capital Analytics, will join the “US Investors Abroad: Emerging Markets – Friend Or Foe” panel on Sept. 10 to discuss how to pinpoint opportunities for investment in emerging regions and how investors can compete with foreign and local parties. A 10-year forecast of U.S. presence in international markets will also be discussed.

? Mark Costello FRICS, partner and east coast director of Ernst & Young, will join the “Recapping Risks” panel on Sept. 11 to discuss how global inflation is accelerating due to increasing oil and energy costs, as well as how nations such as Russia, China, Brazil, and India, are being affected by such issues.

? Steve Felix FRICS, senior vice president of Institutional Real Estate, Inc., will join the “Where Is All The Money Going?” panel on Sept. 11 to discuss capital market flows and the rise of foreign direct investment inflows last year. The panel will also look at the most promising areas for inward investment.

“This promises to be a superb event, allowing property professionals from across the globe to network and keep abreast of changing investment trends and emerging market opportunities,” said Matthew Bruck, managing director of RICS Americas. “Our member speakers will be discussing issues that are at the core of our profession.”

Robert M. White, Jr. FRICS endorsed Bruck’s comments saying, “A number of factors are currently causing dynamic shifts in property capital throughout the world. The timing of Cityscape USA could not be more opportune for leaders in the industry to gather and discuss recent events and their implications for investors.”

More than 4,000 key executives from companies as diverse as The Trump Organization, Apollo Real Estate Advisors, Rockefeller Group Development Corporation, Aldar Properties, and Credit Suisse are expected to be in attendance. Cityscape USA has attracted support from other major industry firms, including investment sponsor, Dubai-based Nakheel; platinum sponsor, U.S.-based CityCenter; as well as silver sponsors U.S.-based ING, Savannah and Capri Capital Partners.

RICS Americas has partnered with Cityscape USA to offer RICS members a 20% conference discount, free admission to the exhibition hall and an opportunity to meet staff and RICS members at their booth (A72).

For more information, visit www.ricsamericas.org and www.cityscape-usa.com.

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