Students from around the country headed to ICSC LAS VEGAS in May to explore the wealth of careers available in the Marketplaces Industry. Thanks to ICSC's robust student program, 388 college students learned about career paths, met with industry leaders and networked with other students who share their interests. The ICSC Foundation flew in and officially hosted 53 students through its various programs, including two Launch Academy students, four ICSC Foundation case study competition winners, four mentees, two Mary Lou Fiala Fellows and 41 scholarship and conference fund recipients.
“The opportunity to immerse myself in the world of commercial real estate alongside industry professionals and students was an amazing experience,” said Juan Pulido, a third-year finance and real estate student at Florida State University and one of the recipients of the Milton Cooper Trailblazer in Real Estate Award. “I was able to gain valuable knowledge, network with industry leaders and explore the latest trends shaping the retail landscape.”
In addition to exploring the show floor and attending presentations, students had a full schedule curated just for them.
Sunday, May 21
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: ICSC & UNC Retail Real Estate Case Competition
The preliminary rounds of the competition were held in three different rooms with different panels of judges. The teams presented their strategies for boosting income at a particular marketplace. Pictured here from left to right are judges Brian Ross of Starwood Retail Partners, Rod Castan of Metro Commercial and RPT’s Mikayla Lynch and competitors from The University of Texas at Austin: Rashad Punjani, Blessen Hatch, Jennifer Mancha and Nahiyan Khan.
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: ICSC Foundation Reception: Celebrating the Talent Incubator Project
ICSC chair Glenn Rufrano welcomed ICSC Foundation donors, volunteers and students to ICSC LAS VEGAS and helped celebrate the successes of the ICSC Foundation.
Monday, May 22
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.: ICSC Foundation Scholarship Recipients Breakfast
At a breakfast for all recipients of ICSC Foundation scholarships, eight the 10 Milton Cooper Trailblazer in Real Estate Awards recipients met with executives from Kimco Realty, which funds the Milton Cooper Trailblazer scholarships. Pictured in the bottom row from left to right are The University of Tennessee’s Connor Reed, Florida State University’s Juan Pulido, UCLA’s Sunny Kim and University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Jordyn Dellis. Pictured in the top row from left to right are The University of Texas at Austin’s Rashad Punjani, Kimco vice president of marketing and communications Jennifer Maisch, Kimco president and chief investment officer Ross Cooper, The Ohio State University’s Grace Donaldson, The University of Texas at Austin ‘s Jaylin Jones and University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Clarke Mouw.
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Student Speed Networking
Students networked with established Marketplaces Industry professionals, making connections and getting the rare chance to ask frank questions face to face with the industry’s top employers and mentors.
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: ICSC Foundation Student Lunch - Meet the Retailers!
During lunch for students attending ICSC LAS VEGAS, retailers discussed trends in the Marketplaces Industry. Speakers, pictured from left to right, are Shake Shack’s Anastasia Kouimelis, Jersey Mike’s Mike Manzo, Dollar Tree’s Kien Tsoi and Target’s Michael Seaman, as well as moderator Laurie Mahowald, who chairs the ICSC Foundation.
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: ICSC & UNC Retail Real Estate Case Competition – Finals
The top three teams in the case competition presented one last time, including The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School team. Pictured from left to right, they are Olivia Schram, Emily Shih, Andre Goldsmith and Adam Lee.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Indiana University Kelley School of Business Bloomington Wins ICSC & UNC Retail Real Estate Case Competition
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Student Reception at the Wynn
ICSC president and CEO Tom McGee; past ICSC chair Jimmy Maurin, pictured; and others celebrated the students who attended ICSC LAS VEGAS and honored the winners of the ICSC & UNC Retail Real Estate Case Competition.
By Brannon Boswell
Executive Editor, Commerce + Communities Today