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CityBuilders, an initiative of Auburn University’s Master of Real Estate Development, or MRED, program, will host its 2022 symposium and industry networking event on May 25 at Truist Park, home of defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves.
The focus of this year’s event, The Future of Affordable Rental Housing and Real Estate Development – Partners, Capital and Innovation, combines the knowledge and experience of leading real estate industry experts and community developers from across the Is discussing opportunities for this growing market segment.
Hosts for this year’s event include Damon Duncan, a 30-year-old public housing professional who owns and operates Clesia Ventures LLC, an affordable housing development and consulting firm based in metro Atlanta, and Kim Kuerten , executive director of executive programs at Harbert College in Auburn. work. Other hosts include Greg Winchester, industry and alumni relations manager and adjunct professor at Harbert College, and Justin Benefield, faculty director of the Auburn MRED program.
A unique opportunity
A select group of leading commercial real estate industry experts and community development leaders will share their insights into the challenges and promise of affordable rental housing development in key Southeast markets. The symposium begins at 2 p.m. ET with a series of three panel discussions: “Partnerships and Industry Leaders,” “Capital and Credit Providers,” and “Innovation: Developers, Entrepreneurs, and Architects.”
Following the plenary sessions, an exclusive industry networking event will take place on the back porch of Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos in Truist Park. From this location overlooking center field, attendees will watch the Atlanta Braves versus the Philadelphia Phillies beginning at 7:20 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased through May 15 for $175. In addition to the symposium, networking event, and ball game, tickets also cover parking and food.
“This year’s event will benefit everyone in the affordable housing market,” Duncan said. “Navigating the challenges and opportunities of affordable rental housing development provides valuable benefits to businesses and communities for a host of reasons.”
The symposium fulfills the mission of CityBuilders and MRED, a joint program of Auburn’s Harbert College of Business and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, to stimulate thought leadership in commercial real estate development throughout the region.
“For Auburn, this event underscores the legacy of success left behind by Auburn MRED leaders, faculty, partners and alumni over the past decade in serving the needs of the real estate development community,” said Kuerten.
An impressive range
This year’s symposium panelists include key contributors to the affordable housing development industry in the Southeast, including Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman; Eugene Jones, CEO of Atlanta Housing; Steven Reed, Mayor of the City of Montgomery, Alabama; Adrianne Todman, assistant secretary for housing and urban development; George Guy, CEO, Fort Wayne Housing Authority; and David A. Northern Sr., CEO, Houston Housing Authority. Visit the CityBuilders website for the latest session and panelist updates.
Winchester, who is also the chair of the MRED Advisory Board, commented on the wide range of experiences and expertise represented by this year’s program.
“Our faculty, partners and alumni have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help create unparalleled value for attendees of this event,” Winchester said. “Most importantly, the enthusiastic participation of our hosts and panel of experts speaks to the MRED program’s commitment to fostering the education and real-world engagement of existing professionals and our pipeline of new graduates in real estate development.”
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities for this year’s event remain open to companies looking to increase their visibility and support for affordable housing development. Sponsors receive multiple avenues of recognition for their support of this event and the ability to advance the ongoing education and awareness initiatives of the MRED program. Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
