Everyone Gives

February 22, 2012 marks the launch of a unique social giving campaign: Everyone Gives. This giving event—dubbed the most inclusive initiative of its kind—will enable charities, companies and public figures to collaboratively mobilize their networks, raising awareness of a global charitable event that will demonstrate the collective power we all share to dramatically impact the world for good. 

The premise is elegantly simple: use social media and technology to leverage your personal networks and connections, and contribute to whatever individual cause or charity you care most about. What’s more, those you bring to your giving tree can immediately do the same with their networks as well. 

Everyone Gives is the vision of Doug Frye (Global CEO of Colliers International), who throughout his career has been an amazing leader for social good and aspirational community impact. He believes in the power each and every one of us has to change the world in which we live. He believes that if everyone gives, nothing is impossible. 

To be clear, Everyone Gives is not itself a charity. It’s a community-based platform that connects causes with givers; every cent donated goes directly to the participating charities. Colliers International was the first corporate sponsor of the initiative, donating resources and time to launch the project. The goal is to harness individual inspiration to create a global torrent of giving that can truly change the world. 

It’s a simple process. Make a small donation—say, $5—to a participating charity of your choice. Through the Everyone Gives website, your donation initiates a “tree” of giving; your gift is selectively shared with your personal network, who are asked to contribute and encourage people in their network to join in. You can see your “seed” gift grow exponentially.  Personally, the most exciting thing for me about Everyone Gives is the way it will bring people together.

Learn more by visiting everyonegives.org. Stay in touch with Everyone Gives on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. Please help spread the word, and we’ll see you on February 22. 

Dollar Days

The newly released white paper “Dollar Days: How Dollar Stores Are Growing a Weak Economy” documents a strong national trend in consumer behavior and its impact on retail leasing. The report, by Ann Natunewicz (head of research for Colliers Retail Services Group), traces the recent aggressive expansion and repositioning campaigns of the four major dollar store chains.

What’s driving the growth of dollar stores?
Obviously, economic conditions have severely impacted consumer behavior, both in terms of disposable income and perception of “value.” Dollar store chains have expanded food offerings, rethought their merchandising strategies, and targeted a higher-end mainstream consumer.

How significant is this trend?
The four largest chains—Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and 99¢ Only—now operate roughly 21,500 U.S. locations. By contrast, the three largest drug store chains combined have only 19,700 locations.

What’s more, dollar stores continue to capitalize on the availability of better space, in terms of demographics, location and footprint. At first, this trend was fueled by recessionary vacancy rates and depressed leasing markets; however, this growth has persisted even in markets that have seen significant recovery in rents and absorption. Growing interest on the part of landlords and property investors indicates that dollar stores have become a more desirable destination, and are favorably impacting traffic and vacancy rates in the shopping centers they occupy.

What does this mean for retail leasing?
Aggressive expansion and larger footprints will continue to drive absorption, even in markets where pricing has normalized, or traditional grocery and drug stores are still prominent.

Dollar store chains will still be able to dictate aggressive terms. Landlords recognize that the dollar store value proposition is part of the “new normal” for consumers, and are attracting a higher-ticket demographic. And, as dollar stores increase their food offering, they drive a higher trip frequency. For smaller regional centers with a local tenant mix, a dollar store can also provide a national-level tenant opportunity.

Where can I find out more?

Download a PDF copy of “Dollar Days: How Dollar Stores Are Growing a Weak Economy” here.

Colliers International Launches Government Services Practice Group

I'm excited to report that the senior team of Kurt Stout, Charles Dilks, and Keith Lavey have joined the Colliers International to lead our newly established Government Services Practice Group.

Based in Washington, D.C., the six-member team will provide a full array of consulting and contracting services to government agencies on a national basis. These Colliers professionals represent private sector landlords who lease space to government tenants. They also participate in the sale of government-leased properties.

“Colliers International is a perfect cultural fit for our team. This is a unique opportunity to establish a national business unit that is exclusively devoted to providing real estate services to government agencies as well as investors who serve government tenants,” said Stout, a 20-year real estate veteran in the government services sector.

Last week, Colliers International also announced a major expansion of its Washington, D.C.-area operations with the launch of a new office in Northern Virginia and the introduction of a regional property management practice.

Pacific Realty Gives Colliers International a Stronghold in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska

Omaha and Lincoln Offices to Raise Colliers Banner

OMAHA and SEATTLE, May 5, 2011 – Colliers International has reached another milestone in executing its U.S. platform growth strategy with the addition of one of Nebraska’s premier commercial real estate firms, Pacific Realty Group. The firm’s two offices in Omaha and Lincoln have joined Colliers’ rapidly expanding geographic footprint in the U.S. and around the globe.

As Colliers International, Pacific Realty transitions from a key player in the Midwest to an important part of one of the world’s leading real estate organizations, with 15,000 employees operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries and with revenues of nearly $2 billion.

“With the addition of Pacific Realty, we have increased our national leadership in client service,” said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer of Colliers International in the U.S. “Pacific Realty is a results-driven organization, and the depth and experience the firm offers clients are unmatched in Nebraska. Pacific Realty’s client-centric approach is a seamless fit, both professionally and culturally, with Colliers International.”

“With the significant industry interest in Colliers International and its rapidly growing platform, we are proud to carry its flag in the Omaha and Lincoln markets,” said Kyle Peterson, senior vice president and managing director of brokerage. “Our firm has long been known as the number one regional commercial real estate services provider. This partnership allows us to better serve our clients locally, nationally and around the globe. We feel it is an ideal match.”

Founded in 1987, Pacific Realty provides the full spectrum of commercial real estate services, including brokerage; lease administration; tenant representation; office, industrial and retail leasing and sales; asset management; property management; comprehensive development services; advisory and consulting services; real estate tax consulting, tenant finish; construction supervision; and market research. The firm also provides construction and permanent financing services and other mortgage banking/consulting needs.

Pacific Realty has 62 professionals in its two Nebraska offices. In 2010, the firm managed a portfolio of nearly 4.8 million square feet and was involved in 320 leasing and sale transactions comprising 2.4 million square feet of space and more than a half million square feet of land.

No changes in management or personnel are anticipated as a result of today’s announcement.

About Colliers International

Colliers International is the third-largest commercial real estate services company in the world with 15,000 professionals operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), it focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research. Commercial Property Executive and Multi-Housing News magazines ranked Colliers International as the top U.S. real estate company and the latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second most recognized commercial real estate brand in the world.

http://bit.ly/iGPTrl

World Economic Forum Announces Young Global Leaders 2011

It is my honor to share with you that I have learned that I have been named a Young Global Leader for 2011 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). For those of you not familiar with the WEF, they host an annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland—a gathering of international leaders from industry, government, academia, civil society and the media, to rethink strategies and solutions to global challenges. I had the privilege to be an attendee at the annual meeting earlier this year.

Young Global Leaders are a community created by the WEF and are drawn from a pool of more than 5,000 candidates. The selection committee is chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. For 2011, there were 190 individuals selected from 65 countries, with 37 being selected from North America. The YGLs convene at an Annual Summit, held this year in Dalian, People’s Republic of China, September 12-16. Young Global Leaders are actively engaged in the community, integrating into events organized by the World Economic Forum and organizing events of their own, as well as launching and leading a number of innovative initiatives and task forces. For a list of YGL initiatives, see http://www.redesignourworld.com/.

I am deeply humbled by my selection and am committed to helping to positively shape the future in a way that is consistent with the expectations and obligations of this esteemed group of young leaders. None of this would have been possible without the outstanding colleagues I am privileged to work with at Colliers International and the support of my family, in particular my wife Gabrielle. They have my sincerest appreciation and admiration.

For a full list of the Young Global Leaders for 2011. Click Here

Visit the YGL blog: www.forumblog.org/ygl
Twitter: www.twitter.com/YGLvoices
YouTube: www.youtube.com/yglvoices

Knowledge Leader Reports on CMBS, Tony Blair, Nonprofit Innovation

The Spring 2011 issue of Knowledge Leader, the Colliers International property magazine, is available now.

This issue centers on the theme of corporate social responsibility, from our exclusive interview with former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair on his global charitable work, to articles on socially responsible investment funds and adding volunteer activities to your next corporate event. Advertising space in this issue has been donated to leading nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Global Partnerships and The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

We’re proud that this issue of Knowledge Leader is more than just an excellent source of current intelligence on the commercial real estate industry—we feel it makes an important statement on the partnership between business leaders and charitable organizations, and reminds us of the value of giving back to our communities.

An exceptional feature is an industry roundtable of a dozen Colliers International experts from major markets across the country, discussing the outlook for the coming year in the multi-family, office, retail, industrial and hospitality sectors.

This issue also introduces you to some of our leading clients and partners, including Eventbrite, a fast-growing company in San Francisco who is revolutionizing online events ticketing; Concert Properties, a visionary developer in Vancouver, BC; and the Northwest Evaluation Association of Portland, OR.

You can read the issue online here, or request an issue from your local Colliers International office.

Warren Dahlstrom, 25-Year Veteran, Joins Colliers International

Colliers International announced today that it has taken a major step in the continued growth of its U.S. platform with the hiring of Warren Dahlstrom as president of its Investment Services Group.

In addition to overseeing Colliers International’s investment services group in the U.S., Dahlstrom will be charged with growing the organization through an aggressive business development strategy and key hires of top-tier brokers and other professionals. He is based in Washington, D.C.

“Warren is a unique professional,” said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer for Colliers International in the U.S. “He has the ideal combination of experience with large and smaller firms, has spent time as an entrepreneur and embodies the kind of collaborative and client centric approach that makes him a perfect fit for Colliers International. The entire organization is looking forward to his immediate contribution to our strategic growth plan.”

“I’ve experienced a number of different approaches and cultures at the firms where I have worked,” Dahlstrom said. “But none come close to Colliers International. Its business model encompasses everything today’s real estate services clients are looking for. I am excited to be part of the organization’s continued march to the top of the industry.”

Dahlstrom has represented owners and investors of institutional commercial real estate since 1986 and has sold, financed or built property valued in excess of $6 billion across the office, retail, industrial, land, hotel and apartment sectors. He has broad relationships with institutional clients, both foreign and domestic and also specializes in capital markets, strategic portfolio management, land, development and competitive assessments advisory services. Last year he arranged a $60 million development joint venture between London-based Grosvenor and JBG Companies of Washington, D.C.

Most recently, Dahlstrom was the principal of his own firm, Dahlstrom Real Estate Advisors. Previously, he spent nearly 13 years as a top producer for Cushman & Wakefield, where he led the investment sales team in Washington, D.C. Earlier in his career, he led sales teams at Carey Winston Company (now Transwestern) and Grubb & Ellis. Dahlstrom is the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his professional achievements, including NAIOP’s Deal of the Year in 2008.

He is a lecturer at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities, and has presented at numerous real estate trade organizations including the Urban Land Institute, the Building Owners and Managers Association and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Dahlstrom is a Full Member of the Urban Land Institute and sits on the board of the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Dahlstrom earned an M.B.A. from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.