Property & Construction Conference this week

(CNS Business): RICS will host Cayman Islands Property & Construction Conference on Thursday 5 March at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. Grand Cayman’s second property and construction conference is expected to draw a crowd of more than 200 attendees. 

The theme of the one-day event is “Building Sustainable Communities”. Organizers said the theme was selected based on the decision of the Cayman Islands government to set infrastructure projects as a priority.

The plenary session will focus on all projects, including the revitalization of George Town, are planned and implemented effectively to enhance community development and quality of life on the island.

Louise Brooke-Smith, the current RICS president, will give the keynote address. Brooke-Smith is the managing director of Brooke Smith Planning, a long-established planning and development consultancy based in the UK.

Other speakers for the plenary session include Carolyn Sponza, Senior Associate of Gensler a global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm based in Washington DC and Simon Conway, Partner at PWC Cayman Islands.

Jeremy Hurst, President of IRG, will moderate the market outlook session, which reviews the performance of the industry in the last 2 years and predicts the future trends. Other panelist for this session include Sheri Bodden, Partner, Bodden and Bodden; Michael Day, President of CIREBA; Avolyn Howell, Senior Vice President, Cayman National Bank; Paul Parsons of Davenport; and Simon Watson of Charterland Ltd.

“This RICS Conference is a good opportunity for all property professionals, owners, occupiers and developers to get together and discuss and debate very topical and important issues that affect us all, and it is good to see that the RICS is leading the way in bringing all of these parties together,” Nigel Bates, Chairman of the RICS Cayman Chapter said. “It will be a very interesting day for all attendees, sponsors and speakers.”

In the afternoon attendees of the conference will break-off into smaller groups to cover specific subjects, including the proposal to adopt e-conveyancing in property transactions, a review of the foreclosure process including the valuation, the Cayman Construction Contract and the proposed Building Registration Law, strata management and owner delinquencies and handling insurance claims.

“We are very pleased to be hosting RICS’ Second Cayman Construction and Property Conference today,” said Uche Obi, a senior valuer with the Lands and Survey Department. “This event seeks to build on the first, held in February 2013, with a focus on issues affecting our industry such as creating sustainable communities,” added Obi, who is an Americas board member for RICS. “In addition, the conference’s significance has been recognized by the fact that Premier McLaughlin is delivering opening remarks.”

“The RICS Property & Construction Conference in Cayman Islands is attracting leading professionals in the market,” said Neil Shah, Americas managing director for RICS. “It is important to note that the Cayman Islands chapter has been a leader in furthering the cause for more transparency, higher standards and professionalism in the property sector.”

CNS Business will also be attending this event to bring you the latest information and discussion at the event.

Tags: chartered surveyor, RICS

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