RICS 2016 Americas Summit to feature former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers

Washington, D.C., December 22, 2015 – RICS’s fourth Summit of the Americas, an international real estate event, is coming to Washington, D.C. for the first time, April 3-5, 2016. The Americas Summit will also be the first-ever “World Built Environment Forum,” which RICS is launching next year. Modeled on the World Economic Forum held annually in Davos, Switzerland, the World Built Environment Forum will pull together key market-movers in the built environment from around the globe to lead on major issues of the day. As the inaugural WBEF, this Americas Summit will also have an enhanced speakers program; multiple launches of major research and market insight pieces; and a greater examination of the intersection and interaction between the built environment and the broader world.

Headlining this international event will be one of the U.S.'s leading economists. Dr. Lawrence H. Summers, the 71st U.S. Treasury Secretary (under President Clinton), Director of the White House National Economic Council (under President Obama), and chief economist at the World Bank.

Dr. Summers was the only Treasury Secretary in the past half-century to leave office with a budget surplus. His tenure at the department coincided with the longest period of sustained economic growth in U.S. history. He has played a role in addressing every major financial crisis in last two decades.

During DC2016, Dr. Summers will deliver a keynote speech on the economy in which he will address the economic cycle and provide his insights into what we can expect in the global market over the next three years, as well as the movement of capital across asset classes. He also will moderate a panel featuring several renowned industry leaders undertaking a World Economic Forum study on asset price dynamics.

The Summit of the Americas also will feature prominent speakers and panelists from across the built environment’s spectrum. In the construction arena, the event will include in-depth looks at aspects of public-sector asset management and project controls.

Earlier this year, RICS launched a wide-ranging global research project on good practices in public-sector asset management. Engaging with heads of public assets at a number of national and state governments around the world, the research aims to capture common approaches, encourage industry dialogue, and ultimately produce significant savings. The research results will be unveiled for the first time at a session on April 4 that will look at specific examples and examine whether a common practice is applicable across borders.

Regarding project controls, RICS has been conducting a wide-ranging consultation with clients of the profession on expectations and good practice of project controls, beginning with a definition of this term. The session on project controls, also on April 4, will feature highlights from industry papers, plus a debate among in-house clients on how the profession can remain cutting-edge in managing risks, time, and cost for capital projects. Construction professionals may also be especially interested in a session on “Funding High-Performing Buildings.”

“And we are also very excited that the Summit will serve as the very first RICS World Built Environment Forum, which we hope will elevate the discussion even further,” Neil Shah, Americas Managing Director for RICS, said. “This expanded Summit will be a unique opportunity to learn about and analyze the latest trends in property, construction and facilities management, and network with highly placed professionals from throughout the industry, from the Americas and around the globe.”

DC2016 and the first World Built Environment Forum will take place at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center during Washington's Cherry Blossom Festival.

For more information on the 2016 Summit of the Americas and the first World Built Environment Forum, please visit RICS Summit of the Americas: DC2016.

ABOUT RICS

RICS promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, property and construction. Our name promises the consistent delivery of standards – bringing confidence to the markets we serve.

We accredit 118,000 professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to our quality assurance. Their expertise covers valuation and management across all asset classes; the costing and leadership of construction projects; the development of infrastructure; and the management of natural resources, such as mining, farms and land. From environmental assessments and building controls to negotiating land rights in an emerging economy; if our members are involved, the same professional standards and ethics apply.

With offices covering the major political and financial centers of the world, our market presence means we are ideally placed to influence policy and embed professional standards. We work at a cross-governmental level, delivering international standards that will support a safe and vibrant marketplace in land, real estate, property and construction, for the benefit of all.

In the Americas we have staff in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Sao Paulo and Barbados.

The 4th RICS Summit of the Americas will be held in Washington, D.C., from April 3rd to 5th, 2016. The Summit is one of the premiere events centered around the built environment. Speakers and attendees will include prominent leaders in real estate, with particular focus on the Valuation, Construction, Asset Management and Business Valuation fields.

Contact:

Alan F. Cohen

Corporate Affairs Associate, Communications

t: +1-202 602-1450  m: 646 847-5706

e: acohen@rics.org