Marketing hype is a proven way to get the public interested in a development project. But William Hardin, director of real estate programs in the College of Business at Florida International University (FIU), is offering students and graduates an educational forum in which they can move beyond the one-liners to gain true insight into the world of commercial and residential development.
“Our team created the Developers Lunch series so students and alumni could hear from important developers about what it takes to make a project a reality,” Hardin said. “We are inviting developers who have projects already approved or in development.”
The first in the once-a-semester series featured Michael M. Adler, chairman of the Adler Group, a diversified commercial and residential development group. Adler and key company leaders shared background and details on the Shorecrest project, two 20-story luxury apartment buildings in Miami.
A packed house, 110 people, gathered for the event, including many current FIU students who attendance was underwritten by FIU’s Jerome Bain Real Estate Institute.
“This kick-off was not the ‘same old same old’ event,” Hardin said. “What Michael Adler and his people gave was an exciting and valuable perspective into this project, an exceptional opportunity for attendees.”
Adler enjoyed the opportunity.
“To explain this development’s methodology to an audience clearly interested in the details was a pleasure,” Adler said. “I shared how to go from analytical to the subjective and how good projects need both.”
Also presenting information were Adler’s Executive Vice President Jonathan Raiffe (MSIRE ’07, MSF ’07); John Tombari, senior vice president; and, from Focus Properties Group, Kevin Spellacy.
Adler, who serves as vice chair of FIU’s Board of Trustees, is pleased to pass on knowledge gained from his vast experience.
“The development business should be about community development and that starts with an educated workforce including those going into real estate,” he said.
Next Developers Lunch is set.
Alan Ojeda, CEO and president of the Rilea Group, will discuss the 1450 Brickell project at a Developers Lunch on March 7, 2013.
