Program

12:00
Doors open
12:00 > 14:00
Welcome & Networking lunch
14:00 > 14.10
Welcome and introduction

Michel Van Geyte, Chair of ULI Belgium & Luxembourg  and CEO at Nextensa 

Part I : Global vision - OUR (BUSINESS) WORLD HAS CHANGED. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE INVESTMENT MARKET IN 2024.

Rising interest rates, increasingly prevalent ESG criteria, zero carbon that must be achieved in the next 27 years... Additionally, other external factors are shaking up the real estate world these days. The period is tumultuous but it can, and should, be accompanied by reflections and decisions.

14.10 > 14.30
setting the scene: Macroeconomic
WILL INTEREST RATES COME BACK TO PRE-CRISIS LEVELS IN 2024?

 Peter De Keyzer, Founding Partner at Growth Inc.

The surge in interest rates has deeply affected the investment market. Yet, it's not just the scale of the rise, but also the speed with which it has unfolded that unsettles the real estate sector, currently experiencing a slowdown. The burning question remains: How will interest rates evolve from here? 

14.30 > 15.00
Incorporating ESG into real estate asset management and valuation

 Christophe Mignot, Head of Asset Management Benelux at AXA IM Real Assets
 David Marshall,
ESG Associate at JLL

ESG has become an undeniable reality for the investors, asset managers and their appraisers. Through the experience of an international asset manager, we will discover how ESG topics are embedded in the investment and asset management process. In addition, an international valuer will explain, how ESG is being integrated into the process of regulated valuations.

15.00 > 15.45
Panel debate: property regeneration - Transforming Real Estate at Scale and Pace

  Moderator: Walid Goudiard, Head of Project & Development Services at JLL EMEA

  Marc Becquet, Head of Service, European Commission (OIB)

  Koen Van Loo, CEO at SFPIM

  Adel Yahia, Managing Director at Immobel Belux

The race to achieve zero carbon by 2050 is reshaping the real estate industry on both the scale and pace of transformation. Forward-thinking public sector occupants in Brussels lead the way by adopting eco-conscious spaces and discarding outdated buildings. Their actions inspire industry-wide change. How can other players keep pace with this fast-evolving shift and embrace the opportunity to transform real estate on a grand scale?  

15:45 > 16:30
Networking break
Part II: Market insights - The calm after the storm

Investing may be tougher in grim conditions, but some forge ahead – and fast, because challenging times also breed opportunities.  

16.30 > 16.50
Geopolitical context: Shaping Business, Real Estate, and Our Future

 Bruno Lété, Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States

Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan, China, Israel, and Palestine have industry-wide repercussions. Turbulent geopolitical shifts disrupt markets, investor sentiment, and economic stability. Are other conflicts on the horizon? Are these conflicts now an inherent part of our daily lives? Explore our analysis to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions in this ever-evolving landscape. 

16.50 > 17.10
Market Figures: Unveiling Opportunity Amidst a Shock

  Tom Carroll, Head of Research & Strategy at JLL EMEA

  Vincent Van Brée, Head of Capital Markets Belgium and Luxembourg at JLL

Investment figures reveal a significant plunge, with volumes halving and a widespread slowdown across European markets and segments. The real estate asset class now faces a formidable competitor: the bond market. What short-term trends emerge from this landscape? Is a rebalancing on the horizon for 2024? Delve into our analysis to uncover the anatomy of this opportunity-creating shock and its potential implications. 

17.10 > 17.55
Panel debate: investing in 2024 - Real Estate attractive again after reassessments?

  Moderator: Walid Goudiard, Head of Project & Development Services at JLL EMEA

  Gwenola Porschberger, Real Estate Transaction Manager at MEAG

  Alexander van Ravels, Partner at Baltisse Real Estate Investments

Frédéric Renard, Equity Research Analyst - Listed Real Estate Partner at Kepler Cheuvreux

2023 may not have been stellar, but Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg continue to offer fruitful investment opportunities. Sizeable portfolios, both public and private, have acquired substantial assets and have plans for more in the coming year. In this realm, an old saying remains valid: inaction begets greater financial loss. And not deciding is still a decision, but is it the right one?  

17:55 > 18:00
Conclusion of the day

Sebastien Giordano, Country Lead & Head of Project & Development Services at JLL Belgium and Luxembourg

18:00 > 19:00
Networking Cocktail