NAIOP Podcast: Inside CRE

Nearshoring expert Rafael McCadden joins the podcast to share his outlook on how industrial real estate in Mexico has evolved and continues to expand. Projected to attract $35 billion in foreign investments over the next five years, Mexico is now the premier trade partner for the U.S. McCadden has more than 30 years’ experience as an industrial and logistics strategist representing corporations in multiple markets throughout Mexico. McCadden talks with guest host Shaine Anderson on the advantages and challenges for Mexico’s industrial markets. Recorded January 31, 2024.

Our 2024 NAIOP Chair Brian Walker, president of Pittsburgh-based Burns Scalo Real Estate, kicks off season two of the Inside CRE podcast. Brian shares his goals for the year (and the headwinds to fight through), why “operating brilliantly” can be more critical than savvy deal-making, and how to prioritize communication in a confusing market. He and Marc discuss the renewed importance of creating value and opportunity throughout a project lifecycle, how climate change is working its way into valuations, and the area he’s challenging himself to focus more on. Brian has some interesting stories – hear how he considered a run for office and received a death threat (!) within the same week. Recorded Jan. 18, 2024.

Peter Zeihan has an uncanny ability to predict tomorrow's headlines. The geopolitical strategist talked with guest host Christopher Ware, NAIOP’s vice president for business development and strategic initiatives, on current U.S. demographic shifts, how the labor force is changing, and why he thinks now is the best time for businesses to hire and borrow. He explains China’s precipitous population decline, how the cost of manufactured goods will increase, and why we need to double the size of the industrial plant in North America. This episode covers a lot of ground thanks to Zeihan's expert understanding of demography, economics, energy, politics, technology and security. Recorded on October 25, 2023.

Dave Harrison, president of VanTrust Real Estate, our 2023 Developer of the Year, joined guest host Kathryn Hamilton, NAIOP’s vice president for marketing and communications for this episode. Harrison – who proudly describes his company as a “small-ball baseball team” – shares his favorite project to date (he still lives there), why he prefers whiteboards over spreadsheets, and the bold declaration the company made in the Wall Street Journal during the pandemic. Harrison explains how VanTrust’s asset mix has evolved, why price per square foot in office properties doesn’t matter anymore, and the company’s mantra of developing with a difference – all the way down to the dirt. Recorded on Sept. 26, 2023.

Marc sits down with Julie Whelan, CBRE’s Global Head of Occupier Thought Leadership, whose team is tasked with identifying major trends impacting occupiers across all industries. As many organizations adopt a hybrid model for their workforce and office utilization needs continue to change, you can imagine Julie has plenty to discuss. She dives into the rightsizing happening today; draws parallels between the office sector’s current uncertainty and retail (remember brick-and-mortar’s predicted demise?); shares her advice for big cities facing the dreaded urban doom loop; and explains why building owners should always explore what her colleague calls “the $100,000 solution.” Recorded on Aug. 31, 2023.