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Shopping Centers Today -> July 2003
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A RECORD BUSTER
Spring Convention attracts more than 32,000 registrants
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LAS VEGAS — Defying a struggling economy, the Iraqi war, SARS and other woes, ICSC’s Spring Convention, held here May 18-21, drew 32,000-plus registrants — the most in the convention’s 46-year history. Last year’s conference attracted 30,600 registrants.
Deal making was brisk among the 850 Leasing Mall exhibitors and the 325 Trade Expo vendors, attendees reported.
“We had a positive feeling going in, and we had a positive feeling going home,” said John L. Bucksbaum, CSM, the CEO of Chicago-based General Growth Properties.
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Educational panel highlights included frank discussions about the challenges facing open-air centers, the relationship between the public and private sectors, how to cater to minority consumers and financing.
Keynote speakers, including 60 Minutes co-editor Mike Wallace and baseball legend Tommy Lasorda, drew thousands to the meal functions.
But perhaps the thing most indicative of the future of retail growth is the year-to-year growing participation of municipalities, which exhibited in the Leasing Mall (a record 41 this year) and participated in educational sessions.
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“The three parts of municipal development are coming together,” said Gary D. Rappaport, SCSM, SCMD, CLS, president of McLean, Va.-based The Rappaport Cos. Rappaport’s term as ICSC chairman concluded during the conference. “You see the public sector becoming educated about how to sell what they have to offer. Retailers are recognizing the opportunities for success there and that if they need financing, it’s available. And developers are bringing the retailers and municipalities together. Vegas shows the success of what’s occurring.”
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