Fully Occupied

Matt Giffune was invited onto CoreNet Global’s, What’s Next Podcast. Matt sat down with Tim Venable to shares his thoughts on trends in commercial real estate as well as how Occupier fits into the landscape while also bringing some much-needed technology into this ever evolving space. For disclosure: This episode originally aired on CoreNet Global, What’s Next Podcast on August 23, 2021. 

Four amazing CRE influencers joined the Fully Occupied podcast for a special episode in advance of the inaugural CREi Summit. Occupier Co-Founder Matt Giffune sat down with Natalie Wainwright from Logic Commercial Real Estate, Allen C. Buchanan from Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services, Linda Day Harrison from TheBrokerList, and John Orr from Carolina Retail Experts are here to share their thoughts and opinions. In each conversation we dove into the ever evolving commercial real estate space from retail space to the industrial vertical.

Natalie Wainwright is the Vice President of the Office Tenant Representation Division at Logic Commercial Real Estate. With a knack for being prescient and omnipresent, it is easy to see why Natalie has been able to create so many opportunities through her social media prowess. From co-chairing the inaugural CREi Summit, to mentoring new agents and women in commercial real estate; Natalie is constantly elevating her peers and the CRE industry. Natalie joins Matt to share her insights on unlocking opportunities in the commercial real estate space and discussing current market trends.

Douglas Jerum has been a leader in the real estate industry for years, helping to empower companies to build their brands. He is now bringing his expertise with emerging retailers to Sabre Real Estate Advisors where he specializes in empowering startup retail brands that are looking for great distribution locations across America’s most competitive markets. Douglas joins Matt to share his thoughts and opinions on the world of retail real estate.

Courtney Cooper is a principal at Alate Partners, where she helps identify and scale promising real estate technology companies. At Alate, Courtney has been able to find success in identifying the right startups for investment based on their potential impact with an eye towards commercialization of these technologies as they continue to grow within society’s needs. Courtney joins Matt to share her outlook of investing in commercial real estate technology companies as an investor.

Rebecca Fitts, Director of Real Estate at Leap and joins Matt to discuss how brands must shift their real estate mindset for the post-pandemic world, how the Leap platform works, and how technology is powering innovation in the retail space. Rebecca has held leadership positions in retail and real estate for over 20 years, and  has has gained a firm grasp how the retail landscape is shifting. In her current role, Rebecca focuses on non-traditional retail real estate strategies, brick and mortar customer experience and omni-channel solutions in the physical space for different brands. Rebecca is also Co-Host the podcast, “Retail is your Business.”

Wilfred Valenta, CEO & Co-founder of Silofit joins Matt to discuss Silofit's plans to bring flexibility to the fitness world, and how the COVID-19 virus has affected fitness professionals and enthusiasts. He also shares his thoughts on starting a hybrid fitness regimen that combines digital technology with physical training for an immersive experience.

Duke Long, a 20+ year veteran of the commercial real estate industry, and early predictor of the proptech movement joins Matt on an episode on the Fully Occupied Show. Now as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the National Association of Realtor's REACH Accelerator, he discusses his opinions on what will shape the CRE market for years to come, and his predictions for the future of the industry. We also hear about how the REACH Accelerator is identifying the real estate industry's next wave of innovators.

Michael Arnold, Vice Chairman of NAI Global and Founder/Executive Vice President of the Tenant Consulting Group at NAI Capital joins us to discuss workplace strategy for the post-pandemic future. As an award winning broker, Michael also shares his views on how technology is shaping the evolving role of the tenant rep broker.

Dan Rosenzweig joins us to discuss his journey from managing corporate bankruptcies to founding Kettlespace, a co-working company that converts beautiful spaces into convenient and affordable places to work. We discuss his experience at WeWork, during the height of their global expansion, and how he identified a better way for hospitality businesses to cater to mobile professionals. The pandemic's impact on the nature of work, and how Dan has pivoted his business to adapt, underpin his conviction that spaces should accommodate a broad spectrum of employee expectations.