ICSC 2014 New York National Conference Hits Record Attendance Levels

Move to Javits Brings More Exhibitors and a 26% Increase in Attendees

NEW YORK--()--The International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) decision to move the New York National Deal Making Conference to the Javits Convention Center was a huge success. The two-day event at the new location nearly doubled the size of the space, and with more than 400 exhibiting companies and an impressive 9,600 attendees, the results were a record attendance and a 26% increase compared to the 2013 event.

“The record attendee increase shows the vitality of the shopping center industry and how many are working hard to ensure its expansion and development,” said Mike Kercheval, president and CEO, ICSC. “The increased attendance also serves as a strong indicator for industry growth, as we have previously witnessed an increase in attendance correlate with industry growth in the upcoming year.”

Attendees expressed their optimism and excitement about the industry as they participated in conference events, including panel discussions and an opening keynote speech by Donald Trump, chairman and president of The Trump Organization.

“The fundamentals of the business are incredibly sound,” said Daniel Hurwitz, CEO of DDR. Hurwitz was joined in a panel discussion on day one of the conference by Kenneth Bernstein, president and CEO of Acadia Realty Trust, David Simon, chairman and CEO of Simon, and Don Wood, president and CEO of Federal Realty Investment Trust.

The exhibition floor was home to hundreds of owners, developers, retailers and many more who were there with the same goal in mind – to showcase their newest projects and iconic retail spaces, and to explore opportunities and partnerships.

“The ICSC Deal Making show is always exciting, as it represents the last opportunity each year to meet with valued retailer partners and prospects to discuss opportunities across our portfolio,” said Keith Laird, executive vice president of leasing, Howard Hughes Corp. “We would never miss this opportunity to exhibit and showcase our brand and our numerous developments from Wall Street to Waikiki.”

During the conference, the ICSC Foundation also announced the launch of the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. Scholarship, in honor of the mall pioneer, seeded by a $500,000 donation from the DeBartolo families, the DeBartolo Corp. and DeBartolo Holdings. The scholarship will go to a graduate student of real estate, retail or a related field.

For more on the New York Conference, view the following SCT articles here:

Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 67,000 members in over 100 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials. For more information, visit www.icsc.org.

Contacts

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Jesse Tron, 646-728-3814
jtron@icsc.org
@JesseTronPR

Release Summary

The International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) decision to move the New York National Deal Making Conference to the Javits Convention Center was a huge success.

Contacts

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Jesse Tron, 646-728-3814
jtron@icsc.org
@JesseTronPR