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Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) recently hosted its fifth annual National Industrial Strength Connections Summit. The three-day event, which was held at the Loews Chicago Hotel, brought together over 300 brokers, affiliates, speakers and sponsors from across the country to network, learn and collaborate.
The hard-hitting event covered an array of compelling topics, including the future of industrial real estate, the state of the U.S. logistics market, national market perspectives and trends, best-practices and cross-selling opportunities. Keynote speakers included Rick Blasgen, chief executive officer of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and Don DeLoach, chief executive officer of InfoBright.
“We are proud to have put on such a dynamic and content-rich event for the past five years,” said Geoffrey Kasselman, SIOR, LEED AP, executive managing director and head of NGKF’s national industrial group, who has run the event for the past two years. “This year we were pleased to have over 70 speakers that provided a wide-array of industry perspectives and best-practices, along with robust networking opportunities.” 
“Geoff is very passionate about his work and about NGKF as evidenced by the caliber of this event for which we already have sponsors lining up for next year,” said Michael Sheinkop, president of brokerage services. “The Industrial Strength Conference is designed as a networking, learning and collaboration forum to empower our brokers and attract people to our brand. Events like this not only help us to develop in support of an ever-changing marketplace and client demands, but it also brings us together as a group, connections are made and brokers make more money. We are well-positioned to provide comprehensive services in this strong industrial marketplace with an increasing demand; the momentum is palpable.”
The general consensus from this year’s event was that the overall state of the U.S. industrial market remains strong, with other key takeaways including:
• Internet and digital worlds are driving every facet of the business world
• E-commerce will be a significant market driver for the next decade
• Construction prices are on the rise
“It’s an exciting time for the industrial market across the country,” Kasselman added. The theme for the 2015 event was “Stronger Better Faster,” reflecting this market trend. “Demand for industrial space is strong and will continue with e-commerce only now in its early stages. I expect that the robust level of activity we are seeing today will continue for the next few years.”
About Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with London-based partner Knight Frank and independently-owned offices, NGKF’s 12,800 professionals operate from more than 370 offices in established and emerging property markets on six continents.
With roots dating back to 1929, NGKF’s strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. NGKF’s full-service platform comprises BGC’s real estate services segment, offering commercial real estate tenants, landlords, investors and developers a wide range of services including leasing; capital markets services, including investment sales, debt placement, appraisal, and valuation services; commercial mortgage brokerage services; as well as corporate advisory services, consulting, project and development management, and property and corporate facilities management services. For further information, visit www.ngkf.com.
NGKF is a part of BGC Partners, Inc., a leading global brokerage company servicing the financial and real estate markets. BGC’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol (NASDAQ: BGCP). BGC also has an outstanding bond issuance of Senior Notes due June 15, 2042, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol (NYSE: BGCA). BGC Partners is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard W. Lutnick. For more information, please visit www.bgcpartners.com.