Exploring markets from Lennoxville to Toronto

By Jack Linnell – Contributor

On Thursday, March 14, the newly formed Bishop’s University Real Estate Club (BREC) made their way to downtown Toronto for the second annual Ontario Real Estate Club Association (ORECA) speaker panel and networking event. Joining them were member clubs from Canadian institutions such as Toronto Metropolitan University, Western University, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, Guelph University, York University and Wilfrid Laurier University. 

The first order of business upon arrival in Toronto was to head to the Colliers International office on Bay Street. There, the team was joined by Western’s real estate club to listen to a speaker panel of industry professionals, moderated by BREC’s co-president, Connor von Teichman. Sitting on the the Colliers International panel was Victor Cotic, executive vice president of national investment services; Matt Albertine, vice president focusing on industrial real estate; and sales representative Madeline Johnson.

The panellists were asked a series of questions ranging from advice they would give young students wanting to break into the industry, to how they foresee interest rates affecting the marketplace as they continue to rise. At the end of the discussion, students left the room with a sense of clarity thanks to the advice provided by the panel. Some received answers to burning questions they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to ask except for at that moment. 

After networking with the Western students as well as some of the Colliers staff, it was time to head across the street to CIBC Square for ORECA’s main event. Upon arrival, the team was given their lanyards and took their seats for the official ORECA panellist discussion.

The speakers on this panel were some of the highest level executives in the Toronto commercial real estate game: Kevin Leon, president at Crestpoint Real Estate Investments; Aliyah Mohamed, chief capital officer at Kingsett Capital; as well as Randy Hoffman, executive vice president of Oxford Property Group.

BREC co-president Brenan Priest said his main takeaways from the panel discussion included how patience is key in the industry, and advice that when you start off, make sure you have no ego and that no job is below you. After the panelist discussion concluded, attendees interacted at the networking reception and were soon thereafter joined by industry professionals from all different facets of commercial real estate. 

The Bishop’s Real Estate Club is the newest member of ORECA as there is no organization of its kind for English universities in Quebec. As a newly formed club, attending this event was an opportunity for the club to solidify itself as a legitimate organization whilst also giving its members greater exposure.

Attending members not only gained insight into the wider world of real estate, but also access to a massive network of industry professionals. Students garnered valuable connections to fellow students from across Eastern Canada interested in real estate. 

Co-president von Teichman shared that the event “offered an unparalleled experience to meet and network with some of the best minds in commercial real estate and the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals currently enrolled in school”.

BREC extends a heartfelt thank you to those who participated in this event and the organizers at ORECA who welcomed the group with open arms. BREC also thanks the William’s School of Business who took care of all accommodation expenses of the trip.

Jack Linnell is a member of Bishop’s Real Estate Club