The South African Real Estate Investment Trust Association (SA REIT) today announced that registration has opened for the highly anticipated SA REIT Conference 2020.

The fourth biennial SA REIT Conference will take place on 16 July at Summer Place, Illovo. Nedbank CIB will sponsor the powerful executive event. 

“The current environment is increasingly challenging and it is important to have opportunities to discuss our experiences and views with our peers across the sector. We are pleased to be part of the conference as we continue to join together in building this critical segment of the economy”, says Gary Garrett, Managing Executive of Property Finance at Nedbank CIB”.

Following the huge success of its first three conferences, this major industry event will once again bring together an outstanding programme of straight-talking thought leaders to debate the topical issues that are pertinent to the sector, locally and abroad.

Much has changed since the last time South Africa’s REIT industry and its partners gathered in 2018. Andrea Taverna-Turisan, SA REIT Association’s Marketing Committee Chairman, notes that SA REITs have continued to be among the most active and innovative businesses on the JSE, and now offer a more extensive choice of capital allocation strategies than ever before.

"In the face of economic, political, cyclical and structural changes, SA’s REIT sector has increased its offshore investment significantly, entered new property sub-sectors and made big strides in good governance and self-regulation. This shift has increased the diversity of investment strategies within the sector. We certainly aren’t working in a one-size-fits-all environment. With this in mind, the SA REIT Conference 2020 is specifically designed to highlight the different, and even dissenting, views about our sector. It’s all about real, critical debate,” says Taverna-Turisan.

The SA REIT Association represents South Africa’s listed REIT sector, and the 2020 edition of its one-day senior management conference brings together the REIT industry’s most prominent decision-makers at an unprecedented time for the SA economy and business environment.

The world-class conference is specially tailored to its industry. Its programme provides direct access to the most influential players in the local and international REIT sector. In addition to high-profile keynote speakers, several panel discussions will offer multifaceted perspectives on the latest influences and innovations around REITs.

Chairman of the SA REIT Association, Estienne de Klerk, says: “REITs are a key contributor to our economy and have a profound impact on the quality of people's lives. SA’s companies and business leaders are being challenged in this operating environment, and the REIT sector is no exception. The SA REIT Conference 2020 is an important opportunity to examine the forces that are shaping the sector, and consider the contribution it is being compelled to make in the broader issues affecting the country.”

An industry masterclass, the SA REIT Conference offers many opportunities to hear from REIT executives first-hand, learn from leaders in the real estate investment community, and take part in candid conversations with peers and industry leaders.

The conference attracts executives and senior management representatives, property and retail analysts, institutional investors, banks, entrepreneurs, corporate sponsors, and accounting and legal entities operating in the dynamic world of property.