Although it’s only the first few weeks of the new year, Clarice Coty and her team at Building Links and 1st View are looking ahead at the months to come, especially the construction, development and real estate industry.
The organizations are hosting their fifth Economic Forecasting Forum Jan. 20 in a new location at the Filberg Centre, in hopes of welcoming more professionals, industry representatives, and individuals to the event which in the past, has sold out.
“What we want to do is give people an idea of last year’s trends, B.C. and the Island’s economy, and a perspective of what’s coming up in 2011,” she said. “We want to focus on the Valley, what’s happening ... and what are the opportunities in this market, and the opportunities with the shift with demographics, the economy and political scene.”
The forum originally began from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, who hosted a similar event when they operated an office in the Comox Valley, explained Coty.
After the association closed, Coty along with an associate decided to create a forum, bringing together economists as well as specialists in construction, real estate, mortgage specialist and more.
This year, the event will feature keynote speaker Cameron Muir, chief economist of the B.C. Real Estate Association, alongside other speakers including Travis Archibald, senior market analyst at Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Peter Gibson, president of Mount Washington Alpine Resort, and Marty Douglas, managing broker of Coast Realty Group (Comox Valley) Ltd.
Coty says the event isn’t only open to those directly involved the industry, but notes attendees include accountants, lawyers, municipal staff, planners and mayors.
Prior to dinner, Coty adds the event will host a networking time from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. which she says “is a premiere networking event that provides a well-rounded place for people to meet.”
In addition to the networking time, the forum will also host a mini trade show.
With the change in location, Coty notes the organizations will add 50 per cent more tickets, with tables and individual tickets available.
The event is also sponsored by Presley & Partners and Jackson & Associates, and tickets are $59 and are available online at www.1stView.ca. For more information call 250-338-5466 or e-mail clarice@1stview.ca.
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