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Retail Resurgence

Navigating Tenant Demand, Redevelopment, and the New Consumer Experience

Joshua Simon

Joshua Simon

CEO

SimonCRE

Amy Malloy

Amy Malloy

Managing Principal

Evolve Ventures

Mike Kallner

Mike Kallner

EVP

RED Development

Christian Davis

Christian Davis

Executive Director, Presconstruction

Haydon Companies

Emily Ganem
Moderator

Emily Ganem

President

Ganem Companies

Joshua Simon

CEO

SimonCRE

Joshua began his career in commercial real estate in 2004, and it wasn’t long before his headstrong attitude allowed him to forge ahead and start SimonCRE in 2010, during some of the toughest economic times. As Founder and CEO, Joshua leads the company’s growth strategy while directing the daily operations. He carries the torch for a team committed to developing projects that benefit clients and the communities they serve.

SimonCRE develops properties all across the country. To date, the company has completed more than 295 projects across 23 states, equaling a total value of more than $1.222 billion.

He applies his boundless energy toward supporting and giving back to the industry he loves. He’s served on a number of boards and routinely presents as an industry expert at numerous conferences across the country. He is extremely active in the community, chairing the YPO Retail Symposium and with his involvement with ICSC.

Under his leadership, SimonCRE has become a vital partner in the rapid growth of many national retailers within emerging communities. Beginning with the new retail center of Village at Prasada and the addition of Prasada North, which at 1,300,000 square feet is the largest open-air retail center to be built on the West Coast in the last 15 years, he has expanded his efforts to better serve tenants and communities alike. To this end, several other open-air retail centers are now under development: Medina Station in Mesa, bringing 350,000 square feet; Roosevelt Commons, covering 100,000 square feet; Asante Trails, which will be a multi-phase 44-acre mixed-use project; and Elm Street at Surprise City Center, which will be a multi-phase 40-acre project with the first phase occupying 70,000 square feet. All of these developments are poised to add exciting new retail and dining options for consumers.

When Joshua isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brittany, and their children, Sloane and Oliver.

Amy Malloy

Managing Principal

Evolve Ventures

Amy Malloy started the real estate development and advisory company Evolve Ventures, LLC

with her business partner Heather Personne in 2019. In the six years since its inception, Evolve

Ventures has worked with over 40 developers, municipalities, landowners, tenants, and brokers to

bring a wide array of commercial and residential projects to fruition. Additionally, Evolve has

begun development of its own with two urban infill multi-family projects in the heart of Midtown

Phoenix and Downtown Chandler.

Prior to creating her own company, Malloy worked as Vice President of Development for the

Pederson Group, where she managed and oversaw development activity throughout Arizona.

Prior to joining the Pederson Group, Malloy worked at Evergreen Development, managing retail

development and redevelopment projects throughout Arizona, California, and Colorado. Prior to

Evergreen, Malloy was Assistant Vice President of Development at Macerich. During her almost

ten years at Macerich, she managed projects throughout the Scottsdale-Phoenix Metropolitan

Area, in Southern Arizona and in Northern Arizona, specifically concentrating on the entitlement

and redevelopment/development of Scottsdale Fashion Square, Kierland Commons, Biltmore

Fashion Park, and Arrowhead Towne Center.

Prior to joining Macerich, Malloy served as the Business Advocate in the Economic Development

department for the City of Apache Junction, AZ. In Apache Junction, she managed the

downtown redevelopment efforts, spearheaded the City’s master planning efforts for 12 square

miles of state land, and initiated a regional Economic Development Task Force.

Malloy is a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI) and serves as outgoing Chair of the Infill

Redevelopment Local Product Council and has previously served as Chair on the Arizona District

Council’s 2020 Trends Day Committee, Vice-Chair of the 2018-2019 Trends Day Committee for

Arizona’s ULI District Council, and Chair of the AZ-Technical Assistance Panel (AZ-Tap)

Committee from 2017-2019.

In 2022, she was selected to participate in Leadership West’s Class 29 and was subsequently

elected by alumni in 2023 to also serve as a board member for Leadership West. Additionally, in

2016, she received a scholarship from the National Women’s Leadership Institute for her

involvement in Arizona’s District Council. Finally, in 2006, she was recognized as one of the

Top 50 Women in Business, in The Business Journal of Phoenix.

Malloy holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor

of Arts from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Malloy is a proud West Valley resident and

heavily engaged in West Valley charitable efforts, where she currently serves as a board member

for the New Life Center and for her local Upper Northwest National Charity League Chapter, as

well as serving as Chair for the Political Action Committee for the Peoria Unified School District

2025 school override campaign. She is a third generation Arizonan and has two human children

Madeleine and Brendan, and three canine children, Maggie, Winnie, and Fletch, with her husband

John.

Mike Kallner

EVP

RED Development

Mike Kallner brings over 30 years of experience in business development and real estate finance to his role leading RED’s retail leasing and marketing efforts. Since joining RED in 2006 Kallner has played a key role in multiple company initiatives. He currently focuses on his efforts leading the team’s national leasing strategy for mixed-use developments across the portfolio. Prior to his current role, he led the expansion of an international grocery chain throughout Arizona.

Prior to joining RED, Kallner held various positions in real estate finance and public accounting.

Kallner graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in Business & Accounting.

Christian Davis

Executive Director, Presconstruction

Haydon Companies

Christian Davis serves as Executive Director of Preconstruction for Haydon Companies’ Building Division, where he leads strategy, budgeting, and early-phase planning across a diverse range of commercial and mixed-use developments. Since relocating to Phoenix in 2020 after more than 15 years in the Atlanta market, Christian has become a key voice in shaping Arizona’s built environment, particularly as it relates to the evolution of entertainment-driven, community-centric spaces.

With over 22 years of experience in construction, and a degree in Construction

Management from Southern Polytechnic State University, Christian’s leadership is defined by deep collaboration, cost intelligence, and delivery innovation. His portfolio includes large-scale projects in retail, healthcare, hospitality, and entertainment, including recent work on live-work-play districts and redeveloped commercial sites, core themes of today’s event.

At Haydon, Christian plays a central role in helping developers and municipalities reimagine aging retail corridors and entertainment zones, translating vision into constructible reality through preconstruction excellence. His team’s recent projects, like The Village at Prasada and Verrado Marketplace, reflect his ability to deliver complex, high-impact projects on time and with purpose.

Outside of work, Christian enjoys traveling with his wife, Sara, staying active through competitive bodybuilding, playing golf, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. He’s also a dedicated dog dad who enjoys spending time outdoors with his four-legged companion. Whether mentoring junior talent or supporting clients through evolving market conditions, Christian’s genuine passion for people and places continues to influence the growth of Phoenix’s retail and entertainment spaces.

Emily Ganem

Moderator

Ganem Companies

Emily Ganem is the dynamic Executive Vice President of Ganem Companies, a leading force in the construction industry based in Phoenix, Arizona. With a management degree from the University of Phoenix, Emily brings a blend of strategic vision and hands-on leadership to her role, driving the company's growth and strategic development. Since stepping into the construction industry over five years ago, Emily has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's trajectory. In her two years as EVP, she has been instrumental in overseeing the accounting and marketing teams, leveraging their strengths to catapult the company's strategic growth. Emily excels in bridging the gap between strategic planning and execution, ensuring that initiatives are aligned with the company’s long-term goals and market opportunities. Emily's leadership extends beyond the boardroom. She is actively involved in mentoring emerging leaders within the company, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her commitment to community engagement is evident through her involvement with local organizations, reinforcing her belief that strong community ties are essential for sustainable business success. Known for her energetic approach and results-driven mindset, Emily thrives on turning challenges into opportunities. Her work is characterized by a relentless pursuit of growth, learning, and creating meaningful impacts—both within the company and in the broader construction sector. In addition, Emily is also the co-owner of Sky Restaurant Concepts (parent company of Squid Ink Sushi, Highball Cocktail Bar, and Sparrow (coming soon to Peoria) and also serves as a board member for Child Crisis Arizona.

When she's not leading projects or strategizing for growth, Emily enjoys spending quality time with her family, engaging in self-work, meditation, and fitness. Her passion for personal development mirrors her professional ethos: to continuously evolve, inspire, and lead with purpose.

Shaping the Future of Phoenix’s Entertainment Districts

Unpacking the region’s largest sports, resort, and mixed-use projects transforming the Valley’s live-work-play ecosystem

Ann O’Brien

Ann O’Brien

Vice Mayor

City of Phoenix

Ron Price

Ron Price

President & CEO

Visit Phoenix

Daniel Lupien

Daniel Lupien

Managing Principal & Founder

Palmer Development Group

Matt Tillman

Matt Tillman

Architect

HFA Architecture + Engineering

Tonya Lively
Moderator

Tonya Lively

VP

Commonwealth Land Title

Ann O’Brien

Vice Mayor

City of Phoenix

Phoenix Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien is focused on reducing bureaucracy and cutting red

tape to spur economic development and increase housing options. As Chair of the

Economic Development and Housing Subcommittee, Vice Mayor O’Brien pushes for

smart investments and policies with meaningful results to ensure Phoenix remains

competitive and attractive to companies and residents. She is committed to working in a

nonpartisan manner to keep Phoenix moving forward.

Ron Price

President & CEO

Visit Phoenix

As President & CEO of Visit Phoenix, Ron Price leads the organization in its

mission to harness the transformative power of travel, elevating communities and

inspiring visitors. Phoenix, the 5th largest city in the United States, is a dynamic

hub for travel and tourism, consistently ranked as a top 10 destination for leisure

travel and meetings & conventions. Under Ron’s leadership, Visit Phoenix

champions the city’s appeal to global audiences, driving economic growth and

enhancing the visitor experience.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the tourism industry, Price has long been an

active proponent of tourism on national, state, and local levels. He currently serves

on various industry and community boards and is a member of the Executive

Board of Directors for the U.S. Travel Association, the Board of Directors and

Executive Committee for the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the Board

of Directors for Downtown Phoenix Inc., the Greater Phoenix Chamber, and is

currently the Vice Chair of the Phoenix Aviation Advisory Board.

Prior to his arrival in Greater Phoenix, Price served as President & CEO of the

Arlington Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau. He previously served as Assistant

Executive Director of Visit San Antonio, a recognized leading convention

destination. Before his time in the DMO world, Price spent over 12 years as a

Marriott International executive.

Daniel Lupien

Managing Principal & Founder

Palmer Development Group

Daniel Lupien is a 20-year market veteran and industry expert who has bought, sold, developed and leased more than $6 Billion of commercial real estate throughout his career.

Mr. Lupien graduated from Arizona State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Communication and took the roll of Development Manager of Triple Five Development Group helping to build and develop over 1.5 million square feet of retail and mixed-use primarily in Las Vegas and Phoenix.

In 2003 he was recruited by Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM), one of the nation’s largest publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REIT) and took the roll of Director and then Senior Director of Real Estate. His responsibilities included managing all transactional activity for development, leasing, and management of same site NOI growth and value creation for one of their largest portfolios. Over a span of 15 years he helped to expand the western region from roughly 3 million square feet in 2003 to over 26 million square feet in 2016 through multiple acquisitions and millions of feet in development.

Mr. Lupien is now focused on creating his own projects through his personal investment firm Palmer Development. With a $200 Million development pipeline primarily in the Western United States, Palmer Development is poised to rank as one of the top retail, hospitality and office development firms in the Southwest.

Matt Tillman

Architect

HFA Architecture + Engineering

Matt Tillman is a licensed Architect supporting the Hospitality & Entertainment team at HFA. Matt shares the responsibility for concepting, programming, designing, document production, contract writing, and code analysis. He brings 13 years of industry experience, including construction administration, to his role at HFA and has been essential to designing the concepts for well-known companies in sports entertainment, fast casual dining, and arcade/sports bar industries.

Tonya Lively

Moderator

Commonwealth Land Title

As Vice President of Escrow & Sales Operations at Commonwealth Land Title National Commercial Services, Tonya Lively utilizes her 20 plus years of Escrow

experience to provide the best in class closing services to clients in Arizona and

across the country. Her leadership has resulted in increased market share through providing education and data-based knowledge to both her escrow and sales staff but also to her clients.

Remarks from the Podium

Marty De Rito

Marty De Rito

CEO

De Rito Partners Development & De Rito Property Management

Marty De Rito

CEO

De Rito Partners Development & De Rito Property Management

Marty De Rito will share his insights on the evolving landscape of retail and entertainment, with a special focus on The Pavilions at Talking Stick—a premier entertainment destination and retail power center located within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Notably, The Pavilions was the first power center ever developed on tribal land, originally envisioned by Vestar Development in 1984 as a 400,000 to 600,000 square-foot project.

When Marty acquired the property in 2008, the center was facing significant challenges. Tenant retention was uncertain, and soon after, the Global Financial Crisis triggered a sharp increase in vacancies. At the time, the center included over 1 million square feet of leasable space across 135 acres—but it needed a bold new direction.

With a long-term vision in mind, Marty invested $25 million, expanded the property by 7.8 acres, added 12 new pad sites, and increased the total gross leasable space to 1.3 million square feet. His leadership and perseverance were instrumental in transforming The Pavilions into the thriving, mixed-use entertainment and retail hub it is today.

Key to this transformation was Marty's deepened partnership with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Marty’s redevelopment of The Pavilions not only revitalized a struggling asset but also set a benchmark for respectful, community-centered development on tribal land.

WHY THIS MATTERS

What You'll Learn: 

  • With the retail vacancy rate in Phoenix ticking down to 5.2% in Q1 2025, what factors are contributing to this steady demand despite a modest increase in store closures?

  • How are developers and investors reimagining aging malls and big-box spaces into mixed-use or entertainment destinations?

  • Which suburban growth corridors are creating new retail demand, and how are operators adapting to these shifts?

  • Given that retail foot traffic in Phoenix is at 91% of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2025, what does this continued consumer engagement mean for the future viability of brick-and-mortar stores?

  • How can developers and city leaders collaborate to deliver connected, community-oriented entertainment and retail destinations?

How You’ll Do More Business: Attending this retail and entertainment event provides a unique opportunity to tap into Phoenix's dynamic real estate market, where significant developments are reshaping key retail hubs. With projects such as these set to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population, projected to reach 5.8 million by 2030, attendees can connect with industry leaders and gain insights into the future of retail in the region. As Phoenix's retail vacancy rate stays resilient at just 5.2% despite economic fluctuations, professionals in this space can leverage the market's ongoing expansion to secure new partnerships and investment opportunities. With high-profile projects underway, this event offers critical access to the decision-makers behind these transformative developments, fostering collaboration and business growth in a thriving sector.

Who attends: Owners, developers, investors, property managers, general contractors, brokers, public officials, architects, tenants, engineers, and other key professionals shaping the future of the Valley’s retail and entertainment landscape.

 

Why should you attend: Bisnow events bring together the biggest power players in the industry so you can identify opportunities, build your network and expand your business. With the largest audience of commercial real estate professionals in the world, no one knows how to help your business more than we do.

Questions about your ticket purchase or interested in sponsoring? Reach out to customerservice@bisnow.com for customer support. For questions, recommendations, comments, or press inquiries please email Kay VanAsdale at kay.vanasdale@bisnow.com. To request disability-related accommodations, please contact janet.fernandez@bisnow.com no later than seven business days before the event.

PROJECTS & NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Venue

The Westin Tempe
11 E. 7th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281

Ballroom: Opal Ballroom, 2nd Floor


$18 Valet Parking

Nearby Self-Parking Options:

Church Lot

The Brickyard Parking Garage

Get Directions

Agenda

Time Activity
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Breakfast & Networking
4:00 PM
4:15 PM
Opening Remarks
4:15 PM
5:00 PM
Retail Resurgence

Navigating Tenant Demand, Redevelopment, and the New Consumer Experience

5:00 PM
5:15 PM
Networking Break
5:15 PM
6:00 PM
Shaping the Future of Phoenix’s Entertainment Districts

Unpacking the region’s largest sports, resort and mixed-use projects transforming the Valley’s live-work-play ecosystem

6:00 PM
6:30 PM
Closing Networking

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