Stirling Properties helping to build Next Generation of commercial real estate professionals
In partnership with ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) Foundation, Stirling Properties’ team members have been actively involved in leading efforts to help create and maintain a pipeline of strong and diverse talent for the future of the commercial real estate industry. Two main areas of focus are centered on professional and academic development.
Next Generation is ICSC’s educational, networking, and mentoring program specifically designed for emerging retail real estate professionals who are seeking to develop and advance their careers and build relationships in the commercial real estate industry.
Carly Plotkin and Townsend Underhill
Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties’ President of Development, is serving as the Southern Division Chairman for Next Generation—he is also Past Louisiana State Director for ICSC. Recently, his volunteer committee hosted the very first fundraising event for the Next Generation Fund of the ICSC Foundation during the ICSC Next Generation Conference in Toronto. More than $7,000 was raised to help support a professional education scholarship fund designed for up-and-coming professionals who are interested in progressing their skills in retail real estate.
Carly Plotkin, Sales & Leasing Executive with Stirling Properties, was awarded one of the first two scholarships from the Next Generation fund! Plotkin is also currently serving as the ICSC Next Generation State Chair for Louisiana and on the national Board for ICSC Next Generation.
“Stirling Properties is extremely proud of our work on this front. We are equally proud that one of our very own agents was awarded a professional development scholarship. No one is more deserving of this honor than Carly,” said Underhill. “Assisting new professionals in our industry to succeed—and even excel—in their careers is crucial for the future of our business. So we must be proactive in ensuring that we are not only attracting and retaining the brightest talent base available, but also equipping them with the tools they need to be prosperous.”
ICSC also supports numerous student academic programs, such as annual student membership opportunities, conference attendance, scholarships and experiential opportunities, as well as mentoring and job assistance.
Stirling Properties’ Vice President of Finance, Justin Landry, serves on the ICSC Foundation Talent & Education Committee, which focuses on identifying, attracting, and developing young people with interest in the retail real estate industry. The committee’s primary goal is to increase student engagement in ICSC, and focus on job placement within the industry.
Landry was selected to serve on the ICSC committee due to his background working with college-level students at LSU (Louisiana State University). He works as an instructor for the university teaching Finance 7720 (Commercial Real Estate Investing).
Jimmy Maurin, Justin Landry and ICSC Maurin-Ogden Foundation LSU Scholarship Award Recipients
Over the past few years, Landry has been instrumental in introducing LSU students to academic scholarships and career placement opportunities, such as the ICSC Maurin-Ogden Foundation LSU Scholarship Award, funded by Jimmy Maurin and Roger Ogden, founders of Stirling Properties. Through the scholarship, students receive all-expense-paid attendance to ICSC RECon in Las Vegas, the world’s largest retail real estate convention. Each year, Stirling Properties hosts LSU Award Recipients at the conference, offering the students valuable exposure to industry leaders and potential employers.
Now, working with the ICSC Foundation Talent & Education Committee, future academic engagement strategies include developing and increasing student-focused events at major ICSC conferences; building relationships with universities and establishing/enhancing Real Estate Clubs; identifying and expanding educational opportunities such as internships and case competitions; and career placement programs such as career fairs and targeted recruitment sessions.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for us to invest in the future of our industry, while also supporting local communities,” said Landry. “ICSC has been on the front lines leading this charge, and Stirling Properties is proud to be able to partner with them to advance their efforts. Collectively, we are developing strategies that will lead to job creation for students, economic growth for local communities, and talent retention within our industry. These are the next generation of executives and brokers that are going to lead our companies—it’s critical that we make them a priority.”
#StirlingProud
Debunking E-Commerce Myths
We’ve recently heard of fake news stories, hoaxes, and fabricated plots that have permeated headlines lately—and, unfortunately, the negative consequences that some have caused.
One such fictitious headline that’s running rampant is “the death of the shopping mall” and countless more tales of online sales putting brick-and-mortar stores out of business. But the reality is that the in-store vs. online struggle is not quite the battle that you probably think it is. In fact, physical stores continue to dominate retail sales.
So with the proliferation of fake news stories, here are a few facts to debunk these e-commerce myths and demonstrate the strength of the shopping center industry.
In-store retail sales accounts for $4.2 trillion or 90.7% of the market. A common perception is that online giants, such as Amazon, dwarf brick-and-mortar competition, but the reality is that Amazon is still a small percentage of the overall market. Online-only retailers represent merely about 3.5% of all U.S. retail sales.
Research also shows that 78% of consumers prefer to shop in-store, and spend significantly more per month in a physical store than online. We’re also seeing that omni-channel retailing is actually an enhancement to brick-and-mortar stores. E-commerce and other technological advances are improving the brick-and-mortar shopping experience and boosting sales at physical stores. 93.4% of all retail sales owe all or part of sales to a brick-and-mortar presence.
These are all encouraging statistics that confirm the shopping center industry is thriving, and the rise of technology and e-commerce is not going to change that. But we do need to change our thought process. Industry professionals and supporters need to advocate for our shopping centers and educate the consumer. According to one of my industry colleagues, “The consumer needs to be told that bricks and mortar is here to stay because if you keep telling the consumer it’s dead, the consumer will think it’s dead and start shopping online.”
Our friends at ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) have recently drafted several editorial pieces that have appeared in national news publications such as The Wall Street Journal. We are grateful for the leadership of Tom McGee and his team to help this business create our own sources of credible information, and to educate consumers on how vital the shopping center industry is, to both them and our entire country. Read the full articles “A Talk With Tom McGee” and “E-Commerce and Physical Stores Are Friends with a Common Purpose.”
-Marty
Stirling Properties’ Donna Taylor Earns ICSC Designation
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce that Donna Taylor, Senior Vice President of Asset Management & New Business, has earned the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX) designation.
ICSC estimates that less than 10% of industry professionals have achieved this important status, setting Ms. Taylor, as well as Stirling Properties, apart from the rest. Donna joins other members of Stirling’s leadership team, Lewis Stirling, Townsend Underhill and Chris Abadie, who have obtained the CRX designation.
With over 6,000 designees in 55 countries, 800 of whom hold CRX designations, ICSC certification programs are a mark of excellence. Certifications focus on raising industry professional standards worldwide and give special recognition to shopping center professionals who demonstrate the highest levels of competency in their industry through professional education, experience, ethics, and by passing a rigorous examination.
Stirling Properties’ Ryan Juneau Earns ICSC Designation
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce that Ryan Juneau, Project Manager, is now an International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Certified professional. Mr. Juneau is now an ICSC Certified Development, Design and Construction Professional (CDP).
ICSC estimates that less than 10% of industry professionals have achieved this important status, setting Mr. Juneau, as well as Stirling Properties, apart from the rest.
With over 6,000 designees in 55 countries, and nearly 500 of who are CDPs, ICSC certification programs are a mark of excellence. Certifications focus on raising industry professional standards worldwide and give special recognition to shopping center professionals who demonstrate the highest levels of competency in their industry through professional education, experience, ethics, and by passing a rigorous examination.
Stirling Properties’ Marty Mayer to Serve as Divisional Vice President of ICSC
Marty Mayer, President & CEO of Stirling Properties, has been elected to serve as the Vice President of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) Southern Division. This was made official during ICSC’s Annual Meeting of Regular Members, held during ICSC RECon in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As an ICSC Divisional Vice President, Mr. Mayer has also been appointed to serve on the Government Relations Advisory Committee.
Mr. Mayer currently serves on the Executive Committee of ICSC’s Worldwide Board of Trustees and has previously served as the Co-Chairman of ICSC’s Open Air Center Committee and as Louisiana State Director and Louisiana State Operations Director for ICSC.
Stirling Properties’ Chris Abadie and Dick Cyr Now Hold ICSC Professional Certifications
Chris Abadie
Dick Cyr
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce that Chris Abadie, Vice President and Manager of Commercial Brokerage, and Dick Cyr, Senior Project Manager, are now International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Certified professionals. Mr. Abadie is now an ICSC Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS) and Mr. Cyr is now an ICSC Certified Development, Design and Construction Professional (CDP).
ICSC estimates that less than 10% of industry professionals have achieved this important status, setting Mr. Abadie and Mr. Cyr, as well as Stirling Properties, apart from the rest.
With over 6,000 designees in 55 countries, ICSC certification programs are a mark of excellence. Certifications focus on raising industry professional standards worldwide and give special recognition to shopping center professionals who demonstrate the highest levels of competency in their industry through professional education, experience, ethics, and by passing a rigorous examination.
