Retail Real Estate Case Competition
The Retail Real Estate Case Competition is held annually, and takes place during RECon, the world’s largest retail real estate convention. This invitation-only competition welcomes undergraduate teams comprised of four students each from the top university real estate programs.
Based on an actual business transaction, each of the teams will be presented with a real estate case study. Teams will have five days for case analysis and preparation prior to a presentation period where teams will showcase their final recommendations to a select panel of real estate industry judges. The winning team will receive a grand prize in the amount of $10,000.
This intense competition provides an opportunity for students to practice the skills they have learned in the classroom and showcase their talents to the leaders of the industry.
Check back here for upcoming competition details or contact CREF.
To learn more about past competitions refer to the list below.
Past Retail Real Estate Case Competitions
Given the extraordinary circumstances of 2020, we made the difficult decision to cancel our annual ICSC & Cornell Retail Real Estate Competition. We thank everyone for your continued support and look forward to coming together for a virtual event in 2021.
Fourth Annual ICSC & Cornell International Retail Real Estate Case Competition
May 19-20, 2019
Las Vegas, NV
We are pleased to announce that Cornell University took first place in the 4th Annual ICSC & Cornell International Retail Real Estate Case Competition, hosted jointly by the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Center for Real Estate and Finance at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Congratulations goes out to the Cornell team consisting of Harrison Bernstein ’20, Aaron Friedman ’19, Teresa Liang ’20, and Uma Patel ’20, who will receive the $10,000 first place prize. Second place went to University of Queensland and University of Guelph came in third place, both universities collecting $5,000 in prize money.
This case competition, held annually, took place during RECon, the world’s largest retail real estate convention. The invitation-only competition welcomed undergraduate teams of four students from top university real estate programs. The teams presented their analysis of a real estate case study based on an actual transaction to a panel of industry executive judges. This intense competition provides an opportunity for students to practice the skills they have learned in the classroom and showcase their talents to the leaders of the industry.
COMPETITION PRESENTATION VIDEOS – FINAL ROUND
- Introduction
- Ace Properties – University of Guelph
- JW Capital – Cornell University
- Empire Group – University of Queensland
- Case Presentation – James Goldsmith, Gator Investments
COMPETING TEAMS
- Cornell University
- Florida State University
- Indiana University
- New York University
- Ohio State University
- University of Colorado
- University of Connecticut
- University of Guelph
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Queensland
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Wisconsin, Madison
PARTICIPATING JUDGES
- Andrew Brien: Executive Director & CEO, Suria KLCC SDN BHD
- John Crossman: CEO, Crossman & Company
- Peter Eisenberg: Principal, Clark Street Real Estate
- Marc Falcone ’95: MF Ventures, Founder
- Carl Goertemoeller: Chief Business Development Officer, Viking Partners
- James Goldsmith ’82 (A&S): President & CEO, Gator Investments
- Skip Greeby: President, The Greeby Companies, Inc.
- Amy Hall: Chief Operating Officer, Caton Commercial Real Estate Group
- David Henry: Co-Founder, Peaceable Street Capital
- Liz Holland: Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel, Abbell Associates
- Rick Kuhle: Founder, Chairman & CEO, Vestar
- Ken Lamy: Founder, President & CEO, The Lamy Group & DataPoint International
- Stephen Lebovitz: Chief Executive Officer, CBL Properties
- Jimmy Maurin: Founder, Stirling Properties
- Marty Mayer: President & CEO, Stirling Properties
- Robin McBride Zeigler: Executive Vice President & COO, Cedar Realty Trust
- John Morrison: Lead Trustee, Automotive Properties REIT
- Kristin Mueller: Chief Operating Officer, Property Management, JLL
- Steve Plenge ’79: Managing Principal, Pacific Retail Capital Partners
- Gary Rappaport: Chief Executive Officer, Rappaport
- Beverly Ricks: Principal, Retail Property Solutions, LLC
- John Swagerty: Senior Vice President of Development, Acadia Realty Trust
For more information contact cref@sha.cornell.edu
2018 Retail Real Estate Case Competition
The 3rd Annual ICSC & Cornell International Retail Real Estate Case Competition took place during the annual International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) RECon in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 20-21, 2018.
The event, jointly hosted by the Center for Real Estate and Finance and ICSC, showcased international and national teams from top real estate programs competing to win the top prize of $10,000. The teams analyzed a real-world retail real estate case in five days and presented their investment pitch to industry executive judges acting as potential investors.
Cornell University took third place and was represented by Eileen Gao ’19, Max Feng ’19, Lily Li ’19, and Haley Tan ’19. Congratulations to the winning teams!
Final Results and Presentation Videos
- 1st Place – New York University [View presentation video]
- 2nd Place – University of Pennsylvania [View presentation video]
- 3rd Place – Cornell University [View presentation video]
Competing Teams
Teams represented universities including:
- Cornell University
- New York University
- University of Colorado – Boulder
- University of Connecticut
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Queensland
Judges
CREF would like to thank this year’s participating judges:
- Karen Case – President and Executive Managing Director; U.S. Commerical Real Estate, CIBC
- Holly Cohen- Founder of Holly Cohen Retail Advisory Services
- John Crossman – Chief Executive Officer, Crossman & Company
- Peter Eisenberg – Principal, Clark Street Real Estate
- Stefan Freiberg – Chief Financial Officer, International Council of Shopping Centers
- John Gerdes – Executive Vice President, Retail Asset Management at L & B Realty Advisors
- Carl Goertemoeller – Chief Business Development Officer, Viking Partners
- Elizabeth Holland – Chief Executive Officer and General Council, Abbell Associates
- Brad Hutensky – Founder and CEO, Hutensky Capital Partners
- Shobi Khan – President and Chief Operating Officer, GGP
- Richard Kuhle – Founding Principal, Chairman, and CEO, Vestar Development Company
- Kenneth Lamy – Founder, President, and CEO, The Lamy Group
- James Maurin – Founder and Past Chairman, Stirling Properties
- Marty Mayer – President and CEO, Stirling Properties
- John Morrison – Vice Chairman, Choice Properties REIT
- Gary Rappaport – Chief Executive Officer, Rappaport
- Beverly Ricks – Principal, Retail Property Solutions
- George Sakakeeny – Founder and Managing Member, Colonial Square Ventures
- John Swagerty – Senior Vice President for Development, Acadia Realty Trust
- Sarah Vasquez – Executive Vice President, Management and Operations, Howard Hughes Corporation
For additional information, contact cref@sha.cornell.edu
Student teams present at RECon during second annual retail case competition.
The 2nd Annual Cornell ICSC International Retail Real Estate Case Competition took place in Las Vegas on May 22 at the Wynn Las Vegas during the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) RECon. The event, jointly hosted by the Center for Real Estate and Finance and ICSC, welcomed six teams competing for the top prize of $10,000. Congratulations to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania for taking home first place in the competition. Cornell University’s team consisting of Michael Lee ’18, Albert Lin ’18, Larry Robinson ’18, and Jessica Zhang ’17 took second place. We are proud of all of the competing teams for their hard work and dedication. The time and effort that all students put into preparing for this competition was very apparent in the thoroughness of their analysis and the impressive presentations.
Competing Teams
- Cornell University
- The Wharton School, The University of Pennsylvania
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Connecticut
- University of Guelph
- University of Queensland
We appreciate the prestigious panel of judges who also contributed to making the competition a success.
- Ronald Altoon, President & Chief Executive Officer, Altoon Strategic
- Andrew, Brien, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Suria KLCC
- Karen Case, Executive Managing Director, President of Commercial Real Estate, The PrivateBank
- Carl Goertemoeller, Chief Development Officer, Viking Partners
- Gordon “Skip” Greeby, President, The Greeby Companies, Inc.
- David Henry, Senior Advisor, Kimco Realty Corporation
- Liz Holland, Chief Executive Officer, Abbell Associates, LLC
- Rick Kuhle, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Vestar
- Ken Lamy, Founder, President, & Chief Executive Officer, The Lamy Group, DataPoint International
- Stephen Lebovitz, President & Chief Executive Officer, CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
- James Matanky, Chief Executive Officer, Matanky Realty Group
- Jimmy Maurin, Founder & Past-Chairman, Stirling Properties
- Marty Mayer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Stirling Properties
- John Morrison, President & Chief Executive Officer, Choice Properties REIT
- Gary Rappaport, Chief Executive Officer, Rappaport
- Bev Ricks, Principal, Retail Property Solutions, LLC
- Duane Stiller ’84, Founder & President, Woolbright Development, Inc
For additional information, contact CREF.
2016 Retail Real Estate Case Competition
First Place – University of Guelph- Second Place – Cornell University
- Third Place – University of Colorado Boulder and University of Connecticut (a tie)
- Fourth Place – Ryerson University
The Cornell University Center for Real Estate and Finance (CREF) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) teamed up to host the Retail Real Estate Case Competition on May 22, 2016 in Las Vegas, NV. The invitation only competition welcomed five undergraduate teams of four students each from the top university real estate programs. The teams were presented with a real estate case which is based on an actual business transaction.
After five days of analysis and preparation, the teams presented their recommendations to a panel of industry judges. The judges declared one team the winner of the $10,000 prize. This intense competition provides an opportunity for students to practice the skills they have learned in the classroom and showcase themselves to the leaders of the industry. For additional information, contact CREF.
