ULI Arizona – The Evolution of Downtown Phoenix

When

2019-09-05
2019-09-05T16:30:00 - 2019-09-05T18:00:00
America/Phoenix

Choose Your Calendar

    Where

    The Monroe 111 W Monroe ST FL 2nd Phoenix, AZ 85003-1742 UNITED STATES
    THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!!

    Downtown Phoenix is experiencing the biggest development boom it has seen since the 1960’s and companies are seeing the value of being located in the heart of the Valley. The best talent is attracted to the authenticity, arts, culture and community in this location, bringing cutting-edge employers and developers incorporating creative placemaking strategies to attract these tenants. Join us for a discussion about Phoenix’s downtown renaissance, including the impact of arts and culture, and how this is changing the workplace in our region’s thriving urban core. Join us for drinks, refreshments, networking and a lively conversation with our speakers: 

    Speakers

    Dan Klocke

    Executive Director, Downtown Phoenix Inc.

    Dan Klocke is the executive director of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, the business improvement district in the core of Downtown. He has served in this role for 3 years and has overseen economic development for the organization for sixteen years. He focuses on development and business attraction to Downtown as well as residential and retail development. Previously, he ran a business improvement district in Baltimore, Maryland. Dan lives on the edge of Downtown in the Story neighborhood with his wife and four children.

    Steven Schwarz

    Founding Partner, ViaWest Group

    June 2017 As a Founding Partner of ViaWest Group, Steven is integrally involved in all aspects of the company's efforts, with a primary emphasis leading the acquisition and development opportunities for the company. He has over twenty years of experience in the development, operations and financing of all types of real estate, with a strong emphasis on industrial and office properties. Prior to ViaWest, Steven served as Senior Vice President of Development for The Plaza Companies, a full service medical office and senior living development and property management company, and as COO and EVP of The Hewson Company, a leading, privately-held, real estate development company in the Western U.S. In these capacities, Steven has been involved in well over $1 billion of projects in 6 western states and 3 southeastern states. Prior experience includes Real Estate Finance work with SunTrust Banks in Atlanta, GA. Steven graduated from The University of Texas Honors Program with a B.A. with Honors in Marketing while completing a dual track of Business and Liberal Arts. He has been Chairman of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Arizona Chapter, a National Board of Director of NAIOP, and is presently on numerous local and national boards and councils of non-profit philanthropic and industry organizations.

    Devney Preuss

    President/CEO, Downtown Phoenix Inc.

    After starting her career in social work at Arizona Call-a-teen Youth Resources (ACYR), Devney spent 9 years in Marketing Partnerships Activation at the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. As the Sr. Director, she oversaw the staff responsible for activating $30+ million in sponsorship agreements each season. Devney was then recruited to Sr. Director, Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, where she oversaw the production of Super Bowl Central, which was the 5-day, 12-city block outdoor fan campus for Super Bowl XLIX. She also assisted with the Committee's $30 million fundraising goal. Devney then took on the same roles and responsibilities as VP, Activation & Special Events, for the 2016 College Football National Championship Local Organizing Committee where she planned Champ Campus and helped raise $12 million. It was through Devney's work on mega events in Downtown Phoenix that she emerged as a candidate for the Executive Director of Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA). In January 2016, Devney was named the Executive Director of PCA and Sr. Vice President of Downtown Phoenix Inc (DPI). PCA is the premier business leadership and advocacy affiliate of DPI and located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. Devney was responsible for the operating budget, revenue generation and membership retention, and day-to-day management of PCA and its advocacy efforts. She also served in an executive leadership role for DPI, contributing to the development of the organization's culture, processes and ongoing integration of its affiliates. On January 1, 2019, Devney was named President & CEO of Downtown Phoenix Inc. Devney also serves on many local boards, which include Visit Phoenix, ASU Sports Business Association, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, The Herberger Theater Center, Artlink, Warehouse District Council and AIA Phoenix Metro. Devney graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001 with degrees in Organizational Studies and Psychology.

    Catrina Kahler

    President and CEO, Artlink Inc.

    As Artlink President Catrina leads the development and implementation of engagement strategies for an organization that connects artists, business and community. This has resulted in a significant increase in membership, financial health and community engagement for the 31-year old organization. These accomplishments have been done in collaboration with a spectrum of arts community members, central city business leaders and stakeholders who recognize arts and culture as integral to the development of our city. An Arizona native, and a Valley resident since 1989, Catrina has over 25 years experience in marketing, community development, and public relations, and has been actively involved in the development of urban Phoenix for 15 years. She previously served as the marketing agent for the Cactus League Baseball Association, Scottsdale Motor Mile and Phoenix Public Market. She is publisher of Downtown Phoenix Journal, the first online magazine for downtown Phoenix, and serves on the boards of Arizona Citizens for the Arts, Roosevelt Action Association, and Phoenix Community Alliance as Chair of PCA’s Arts, Culture & Public Life Committee.

    Moderator

    Steve Lindley

    Executive Managing Director - Capital Markets, Cushman & Wakefield-US

    Steve works in the Capital Markets group for Cushman & Wakefield, representing sophisticated national and regional investor clients in acquisitions, dispositions, financing and development of office, industrial and mixed-use properties in Arizona. He has 29 years of experience, with sales completed totaling $2.5 billion. Prior to Cushman & Wakefield, Steve worked in the Capital Markets groups for national commercial real estate services companies including Grubb & Ellis, Trammell Crow, and Insignia/ESG. He brings Wall Street experience to his capital markets practice, working in the 1980’s at the New York City headquarters of investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert. Steve enjoys actively exploring and promoting ideas and issues facing cities and communities in Arizona and beyond, including the intersection between creativity and place. He has served on the Advisory Board for AIA Phoenix Metro and is a leader with Urban Land Institute Arizona, currently serving as chair of the ULI 2D community mural project. Steve frequently presents at events locally and nationally on both his core capital markets expertise, as well as the future of the workplace, creative placemaking, and arts, culture and development.

    Event Sponsors

    Advocate Sponsor

    YLG Annual Supporting Sponsor

    YLG Annual Title Sponsor