TRENDS DAY AGENDA

7:00am
Registration and Networking Breakfast
Sponsored By: LANDMARK TITLE ASSURANCE AGENCY

7:45-8:00am
Welcome
Steve Lindley, Chair, ULI Arizona District Council; Chief Operating Officer, Holualoa Companies
Jennifer Understahl, Chair, Trends Day 2026; Partner, Perkins Coie

8:00-8:40am
The 2026 Economic and CRE Outlook
Sponsored by AREAD

A look ahead at how shifting economic tides, evolving federal policy, interest rate movements and commercial real estate performance will shape the national and Arizona real estate landscape.

John Chang, Senior Vice President, Chief Intelligence & Analytics Officer, Marcus & Millichap

8:40-8:50am
QUICK HIT – The State of Office: Arizona Market Trends and What’s Next
Sponsored by SNELL & WILMER

This Quick Hit offers valuable insights into the evolving Arizona office market—examining recent shifts, current dynamics, and what the future may hold for tenants, investors, and developers.

Andrew Cheney, CCIM, CRE, SIOR, Principal, Lee & Associates

8:50-9:45am
TSMC’s Ripple Effects Across Time and Place
Sponsored by WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON

Discover how TSMC’s monumental capital investment is transforming the Northwest Valley, and beyond, into a thriving corridor of innovation and employment. This session will explore the infrastructure, housing, retail, and broader development required to support sustainable growth, along with the key timelines and performance metrics that will shape both short and long-term progress. We will spotlight areas such as Halo Vista and Pinal County and discuss what this transformation will look and feel like within the next decade.

Chris Mackay, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Phoenix Economic Council – Moderator
Fernando Garcia, Executive Vice President of International Trade and Investment, Arizona Commerce Authority
Chris Janson, President, Mack Halo Vista LLC
Craig McFarland, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pinal Partnership

9:45-9:55am
QUICK HIT – Distressed Assets: Market Signals, Risks and Opportunities
Sponsorship AVAILABLE

Is there a distressed asset market on the horizon or has it begun? What asset classes and markets are or will be affected the most? Where are the opportunities for savvy investors? Learn the answers to these questions and more during this Quick Hit focused on the distressed assets.

Darren Tappen, Regional President of Brokerage, Kidder Mathews

9:55-10:35am
Rebuilding After Fires: Innovations in Recovery, Resiliency and Reform
Sponsorship AVAILABLE

In January 2025, the Los Angeles region experienced two of the most devastating wildfires in its history. The Palisades Fire caused over $51.7 billion in damage and destroyed approximately 11,000 homes, while the Eaton Fire in Alta Dena accounted for another $27.5 billion in losses and nearly 9,500 structures lost. The human toll was equally staggering. This panel brings together leaders at the forefront of recovery, to share how communities are being rebuilt with speed, equity, and resilience in mind. Speakers will highlight innovative approaches that reduce permitting times, cut rebuilding costs, and improve long-term safety and sustainability. The session offers actionable insights for professionals in urban planning, construction, public policy, and disaster recovery — particularly those working in fire-prone or climate-vulnerable regions.

Najla Kayyem, Principal, Kayyem Marketing – Moderator
Dr. Ben Coorey, Chief Executive Officer, Archistar.ai
Alison MacCracken, Real Estate Consultant, Certified Probate & Trust Specialist, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Crest Real Estate LLC
Abby Ross, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, The Resiliency Company

10:35-10:45am
QUICK HIT – Inside Capital Markets: National Trends Shaping Local Investment
Sponsored By: TERRACON

Gain an inside look at today’s capital markets with an overview of transaction trends, financing conditions, and investor sentiment. Leave with actionable insights into how national perceptions influence the local market and how evolving dynamics are shaping investment strategies in the current environment.

Kevin MacKenzie, President of Capital Markets, Americas, JLL

10:45-11:25am
Adapting the American Dream – Rethinking Attainable Homeownership
Sponsored by GAMMAGE & BURNHAM

This panel will examine how the concept of the American Dream—particularly homeownership—is evolving in response to economic pressures, demographic changes, and emerging technologies. Speakers will discuss innovative housing models, policy reforms, and financing tools that aim to make starter homes more attainable for younger generations and diverse communities. Gain fresh insights, real-world examples, and actionable ideas for bridging the gap between aspiration and reality while aligning market opportunities with social impact.

Susan Demmitt, Partner, Gammage & Burnham – Moderator
Walter Crutchfield, Partner, Vintage Partners
Justin Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Tidestone Living
Ryan Smith, President, Oakwood Homes

11:25am-12:10pm
From Now to Nuclear: Bridging the Power Gap While Restarting an Industry
Sponsorship AVAILABLE

As large load customers seek reliable, baseload, low-carbon energy solutions, nuclear power is poised for a comeback. Yet, restarting the nuclear industry presents unique challenges—not only in terms of technology and policy, but also in bridging the gap between today’s exponentially growing energy demands and the time required to bring advanced nuclear resources to market. Join industry leaders and experts as they explore innovative strategies to accelerate nuclear deployment while addressing interim energy needs.

Jane Rueger, Firmwide Lead, Energy Infrastructure and Clean Technology, Perkins Coie – Moderator
Ted Geisler, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Public Service and Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
Lea Marquez Peterson, Member, Arizona Corporation Commission
Dr. Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, Senior Vice President, Research and Partnerships, University of Arizona

12:10-1:10pm
NETWORKING LUNCH
Sponsored By: PAPAGO PARK CENTER
and
VIP LUNCH
Sponsored By: DAVIS

1:10-1:25pm
ULI Arizona Announcements and Highlights 

Deb Sydenham, FAICP, Executive Director, ULI Arizona District Council

1:25-2:15pm
KEYNOTE – Amy Van Dyken-Rouen
Sponsored By: Pivotal

Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is a six-time Olympic champion. She won four medals in 1996 in Atlanta and two more in Sydney, Australia in 2000. Van Dyken-Rouen has the distinction of being one of the few Olympians whose medals are all gold. In 2007, she was the only American swimmer to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Class of 2007. She was also inducted to the Olympic Hall of Fame in July 2008.

After high school, Van Dyken-Rouen attended the University of Arizona for two years before transferring to Colorado State University, where she broke her first US record with a time of 21.77 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle at the NCAA championships in 1994. She also placed second in the 100-yard butterfly. In 1994 she was named the NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year. After college, she moved to the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to train full-time for the 1996 Olympics.

Following her four gold medals at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, she won the ESPY for Female Athlete of the Year; Swimming World magazine’s female Swimmer of the Year award; induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame; induction into the US Olympic Hall of Fame; and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, USOC Sports Woman of the Year, the Women’s Sports Foundation Sports Woman of the Year and USA Swimming Swimmer of the Year.  She was also featured as one of Glamour magazine’s Top 10 Women of the Year, named one of 25 most influential females in sport by Women’s Sports and Fitness magazine and received the ARETE Courage in Sports award. She has graced the cover of several newspapers and magazines, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time, Swimming World magazine, and Sports Illustrated.

Van Dyken-Rouen is retired from swimming and lives with her husband, former NFL punter Tom Rouen, in Arizona and Colorado. Since her retirement, Van Dyken-Rouen has been a public speaker, a disc jockey on a sports radio show in Arizona, served as the side-line reporter for the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos football teams, and even played in the award-winning stage-play the Vagina Monologues.

In June of 2014, she was injured in an ATV accident and severed her spinal cord leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. She has since become a motivational speaker and advocate, inspiring many with her resilience and active lifestyle, including participating in adaptive sports and promoting disability awareness. Despite the severity of her injury, Van Dyken-Rouen maintained an incredibly positive and inspirational attitude, focusing on what she could do rather than what she lost.

2:15-3:00pm
The Economic Engine of Sports, Entertainment and Convention Centers in Tomorrow’s Cities
Sponsorship AVAILABLE

Sports and entertainment development projects revitalize downtowns by pairing stadiums, entertainment venues, and arenas with dining, retail, hotels, and housing. They serve as an economic driver to attract visitors, boost tourism, and create year-round economic activity that benefits local businesses, expand the tax base, draw private investment, and improve infrastructure while fostering civic pride and community identity. When public interests partner with private development downtown venues can be a catalyst as powerful engines of economic and cultural growth. Learn from local and national experts with MLB, the NBA, and the NFL on lessons learned on sports-anchored and entertainment development projects.

Devney Majerle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Downtown Phoenix Inc. – Moderator
Derrick Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Rivers, Chief Innovation Officer, Special Projects, Phoenix Suns
David Demarest, Vice Chairman, International Director, JLL

3:00-3:10pm
QUICK HIT – Building Tomorrow’s Retail Landscape
Sponsorship AVAILABLE

Rising construction costs, shifting capital markets, and evolving tenant demands are reshaping retail. At the same time, communities expect projects that enhance placemaking and long-term vitality. This Quick Hit explores how developers are adapting to deliver resilient, relevant, and profitable retail in a changing environment.

Kean Thomas, Vice President of Finance and Development, Vestar

3:10-4:00pm
Debate: The Role of the Legislator
Sponsorship AVAILABLE

State Preemption vs. Local Control: Housing Policy Debate
The debate will focus on the tension between state legislative preemption and local government control over housing policies. We’ll explore recent legislative sessions where the State has attempted to intervene in local housing regulations through bills aimed at creating more attainable housing, such as: 

• Allowing accessory dwelling units by right
• Small lot development bills
• Adaptive reuse legislation
• The Axon bill (which preempted referendum process for specific developments) 

The format will include two sides: Pro-State Preemption and Pro-Local Control

Catherine Reagor, Senior Real Estate and Housing Reporter and Columnist, The Arizona Republic – Moderator

Debators:
The Honorable Sarah Liguori, Member, Arizona State House of Representatives
The Honorable Shawnna Bolick, Member, Arizona State Senate
v.
The Honorable John Giles, Former Mayor, City of Mesa
The Honorable Julia Wheatley, Mayor, Town of Queen Creek

4:00pm
CLOSING REMARKS
Steve Lindley, Chair, ULI Arizona District Council; Chief Operating Officer, Holualoa Companies

4:05-5:00pm
NETWORKING RECEPTION
Sponsorship AVAILABLE

THANK YOU:
Digital Media Sponsorship TERAVALIS
and
Green Room Sponsor WILLMENG
VIP Reception Sponsorship AVAILABLE