Keynote Address

Mapping Out Orlando's Future

• 

  David Barilla

  David Barilla has spent the past 15 years revitalizing downtown Orlando through his work with the City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency. He has played a key role in facilitating billions of dollars in development projects across various sectors, including residential, mixed-use, retail, and hospitality, which have significantly transformed the city's urban core. His leadership has helped double the downtown population, expand cultural venues, and establish the Creative Village innovation hub. Barilla has also spearheaded public-private partnerships for major projects like Truist Plaza and the upcoming WestCourt sports and entertainment district. His efforts to grow the innovation district led to major investments from EA and Iron Galaxy, further boosting the local economy. Additionally, Barilla has been instrumental in expanding affordable housing in the Parramore area and in securing Orlando’s reputation as a top sports event city. Barilla has been recognized as both a 2024 Game Changer and Central Florida Hero by the Orlando Business Journal, an Emerging Leader by the International Downtown Association, and One to Watch in Orlando Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People in 2024, and is the former State of Florida Public Private Partnership Chair for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

  City of Orlando Downtown Development Board

  Executive Director

  Keynote

  David Barilla

  Executive Director

  City of Orlando Downtown Development Board

• Keynote

  Alberto Vargas

  Planning Manager

  Orange County Planning Division

DT0 Action Plan, Vision 2050 & The Impact on Development

The bold planning initiatives set to change zoning, density, and development, reshaping how and where the region grows

• 

  Craig Ustler

  President

  Ustler Development, Inc.

• 

  Tony Benge

  President

  Benge Development

• 

  George Giebel

  With over 30 years of experience in real estate development, George Giebel is a respected industry leader known for delivering complex, high-profile projects across the U.S., Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Throughout his distinguished career, he has overseen the development of more than 10 million square feet of commercial space, totaling over $5 billion in value. Before joining Unicorp, George founded and led a successful real estate consulting firm, advising private, corporate, and institutional clients such as Disney, Starwood Hotels and LMVH. He has held senior leadership roles at top firms including The Related Group, Flagstone Group, Constructa US, Disney Development Company, Canizaro Interests, and General Growth Properties. George’s portfolio includes some of the most iconic developments in the industry: Disney Springs, Island Gardens Mega Yacht Marina, the St. Regis Resort and Residences in Bal Harbour, Cocowalk, Mary Brickell Village, Celebration, Euro Disney, multiple Sofitel Hotels across the U.S., Canal Place Fashion Center, the Jackson Brewery Festival Center in New Orleans, and Pier 39 in San Francisco. He has also played an instrumental role in the creation of numerous luxury hotels, high-end condominiums, regional malls, and urban entertainment centers. Among all his accomplishments, George is especially proud of leading the recently completed St. Regis Resort and Residences in Longboat Key, Florida, developed under Unicorp National Developments—a standout achievement in his career. He holds a degree in architecture from the University of Illinois, completed postgraduate studies at the University of Florence in Italy, and earned a business degree from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College.

  Unicorp

  Director of Development

  George Giebel

  Director of Development

  Unicorp

• 

  Emma Maury

  Sr. Development Manager

  Atrium Development Group

• 

  Corey Holthaus

  Corey is a principal in CLA's Real Estate industry group and resides in Tampa. He has more than 15 years of experience as a highly respected business advisor and tax consultant to entrepreneurs and their businesses. Corey devotes most of his time serving clients in the real estate industry. He has worked with Emerging Fund Managers and Sponsors, Private Family Offices, Private Equity Groups and business owners across the country who acquire real estate including developers, investors and operators. He is highly knowledgeable in specialized tax saving strategies such as cost segregation studies, opportunity zone strategic planning, like-kind exchange planning, use of federal and state tax credits, tax deferrals, and asset disposition plans. He often serves as a key advisor in Fund Administration and CLA’s wealth advisory group with respect to private investment reporting and tax compliance. He has an affinity for helping multi-family operators and syndicators get the most out of their business vison. He is not afraid to tackle new problems and strives to create an atmosphere where others are encouraged to do the same. Corey also consults with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and owners of closely-held businesses on all aspects of tax planning, estate planning, and retirement planning. He frequently works with attorneys on estate and gift tax planning to assist clients with a successful transition of family businesses to next generations. Additionally, Corey has handled tax controversy matters, including representation of taxpayers before federal, state, and local taxing authorities.

  Clifton Larson Allen

  Principal

  Moderator

  Corey Holthaus

  Principal

  Clifton Larson Allen

Major Projects & The Future of CRE in Orlando

Market Moves, Innovations And The Development & Design Trends Shaping the City’s Future

• 

  Curtis Frost

  CEO

  WMG Development, LLC

• 

  Robert Thorne

  CEO

  Urban Network Capital Group

• 

  Ken Kupp

  Partner

  Boyd Development Corp.

• 

  Ahmad Elayyan

  Ahmad Elayyan, Managing Director of Acquisitions, currently serves as Managing Director of Acquisitions at Basis Industrial, specializing in small-bay, shallow bay, and multi-tenant industrial assets. He is responsible for sourcing, underwriting, and evaluating new investment opportunities. Since joining Basis, he has led the acquisition of 5 million square feet of industrial properties. Prior to Basis, Ahmad worked at CP Group, a privately held real estate investment firm focused on value-add and core-plus office opportunities across Florida and Texas. Before that, he managed acquisitions and asset management at Drawbridge Realty Trust, where he oversaw 5 million square feet and led the acquisition of 3 million square feet of single-tenant office properties, totaling over $1 billion in transactions. Ahmad began his career in commercial real estate at Wells Fargo and holds a B.A. in Economics from UCLA. In 2024, Ahmad was recognized by Globe Street as an “Aspiring Commercial Real Estate Leader” and received ConnectCRE’s “Next Generation Award”.

  Basis Industrial

  Managing Director of Acquisitions

  Ahmad Elayyan

  Managing Director of Acquisitions

  Basis Industrial

• 

  Tim Burrill

  SVP

  Advent Health

• 

  Joe Fogarty

  VP Real Estate Development, Healthcare

  Ryan Companies

• 

  Arturo Vasquez del Mercado

  Arturo is an accomplished architect, urban designer and educator with exemplary experience in design, architecture and institutional campus planning. Arturo brings an unmatched design vision and a collaborative team-based working spirit. He has over thirty-three years of experience merging design practice, master planning, and urban design solving complex sites and programs in Healthcare, Academic and Commercial mixed-use. Arturo has worked with private and public-sector entities, developers, institutions, community-based organizations, and city regulatory agencies leading teams on projects that involve a rigorous design process and with a variety of alternative delivery approaches including P3, Design Assist, Design-Build and IPD.

  Stantec

  Design Principal

  Moderator

  Arturo Vasquez del Mercado

  Design Principal

  Stantec

Orlando’s Red-Hot Rental Market: Where Growth & Opportunity Meet

Understanding where to build, what today’s renters want, and how to stay ahead in a competitive market

• 

  Craig Collin

  President/COO

  Tavistock Development Company

• 

  Joel Underwood

  Division President

  Tri Pointe Homes

• 

  Sid Gautam

  Director ‑ Acquisition & Development

  Kimaya

• 

  Joe Ferst

  Joe Ferst is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Hotwire Communications' Central Florida region, where he leads all regional operations and spearheads strategic growth initiatives. With over a decade of telecom sales leadership, Joe has played a pivotal role in expanding Hotwire’s footprint across Florida, including high-profile municipal and enterprise partnerships. His market development strategy combines innovative technology deployment with strong community and commercial engagement, driving Hotwire’s reputation as a leader in fiber-optic services.

  Hotwire

  EVP and GM of Central Florida

  Joe Ferst

  EVP and GM of Central Florida

  Hotwire

• Moderator

  Peter Hilera

  Partner

  Withum Smith + Brown PC

Opening Remarks

• 

  Douglas Sullinger

  Douglas Sullinger is the esteemed Chief Executive Officer of Vendita.AI, a Tampa-based provider of advanced artificial intelligence solutions tailored specifically for the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) industry. With a robust career span of over two decades, Doug has established himself as a dedicated sales executive renowned for his exceptional ability to identify strategic positions and negotiate opportunities that fuel business growth. His knack for cultivating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with clients distinguishes him as not merely a business partner, but a trusted advocate and advisor. From an early stage in his career, Doug exhibited a profound understanding of the complexities inherent in sales cycles and technical solutions. Doug attended Ohio State University from 1984 to 1987. He then took a break from his education due to a medical issue. He then returned to his education in 1991 and ultimately graduated from the University of Toledo in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, where he honed critical skills that would become the foundation of his professional journey. Armed with a thorough knowledge of enterprise software and a natural aptitude for negotiating and closing deals, he entered the workforce with a competitive edge.

  Vendita.AI

  Chief Executive Officer

  Douglas Sullinger

  Chief Executive Officer

  Vendita.AI