FortisBC School of Development 2017: Fundamentals of Real Estate

Join facilitator Michael von Hausen of MVH Urban Planning and Design and UDI's experienced faculty members for an intense two-day course with small-group classroom exercises based on real life scenarios.



You will leave with a solid understanding of the development process -- starting with acquisitions, and ending with construction -- and meet many new industry colleagues.

This course is limited to just 48 coveted spots.  Register early to secure your seat and learn from the best in the industry!

Featured Faculty Speakers:


ACQUISITION: Steve Forrest - Vice President, Development -  Anthem Properties

Over the past 28 years, Steve has been actively acquiring, developing and managing all forms of real estate asset classes.  After graduating from both BCIT and UBC, Steve began his career as a Vancouver commercial real estate broker and was involved in the leasing of retail and office space as well as the marketing and sale of commercial buildings.  He then expanded his land development skills at the City of Surrey where he was responsible for the leasing management of income properties, land acquisitions for schools, parks and engineering infrastructure and the land development of City surplus properties. Since joining Anthem 6+ years ago, Steve has been involved in acquisitions totaling over $750 million.  He now oversees all vertical development acquisitions in BC, Alberta and California.  
 

APPROVALS: Blaire Chisholm - Vice President - Brook Pooni Associates

Blaire manages many of the firm's most complex projects, specializing in sustainability and project management. Prior to joining the firm in 2007, her experience included working with environmental non-governmental organizations, research and policy consultancies, and architectural and planning firms across Canada. Blaire holds a Master's Degree in Urban Planning from McGill University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Resource Management from the University of Alberta. She is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. 

FINANCE: Alex Henderson - Vice President, Co-Investment - Grosvenor Americas

Alex Henderson is Vice President, Co-Investment for Grosvenor Americas and is responsible for the Company's Structured Development Finance activities in Vancouver and Seattle. Alex joined Grosvenor in 2007 in London and spent four and a half years in Hong Kong as Senior Investment Manager before moving to Vancouver in 2014. He holds a Master of Science degree in Real Estate Investment Management from Oxford Brookes University and a Master of Arts degree from Edinburgh University. He is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.​

SALES & MARKETING: Suzana Goncalves - Partner & Chief Advisory Officer - MLA Canada

Suzana Goncalves is a Partner and Chief Advisory Officer at MLA Canada (McNeill Lalonde and Associates), the newly formed company from the merger of MAC Marketing Solutions and BLVD Marketing Group. MLA Canada specializes in multi-family residential new construction and provides advisory, market intelligence, sales, marketing, customer care and lease-up services to some of Western Canada's top developers. Her 16-year career includes a focus in marketing working on projects in every product type from single-family up to master-planned communities in Alberta and BC. Prior to the merger Suzana was VP of Marketing for MAC Marketing Solutions winning several awards for marketing excellence for various projects and playing an instrumental role in the company's growth and reputation for client focused results. Suzana is also a committee member of Women of UDI.  

CONSTRUCTION: Robert Horvath - Vice President, Construction - Edgar Development

Robert Horvath is Vice President, Construction for Edgar Development Corp. he is responsible for all construction activities which currently includes work in British Columbia and Alberta. He is a graduate of the BCIT Building Technology Program and holds a Diploma in Business Finance and Investment Management.  Robert brings 25 years of construction management expertise to Edgar and is responsible for design, budgeting, scheduling and overall project success. His past projects include residential, hotel, commercial and institutional work with a total value of over $400 million.