The CoreNet Global Summit, themed "Wellness and Learning: Corporate Real Estate and the Individual," attracted 120 delegates for two days of learning and networking. Held at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Coolum, Australia, a location certainly conductive to wellness, end-users and service providers alike enjoyed the broad range of topics, exceptional speakers and the beautiful backdrop.

Though the summit officially started on Monday, July 28, 25 delegates arrived a day early to participate in the MCR program. With Rodney Timm, who created the program for the region, and Michael Joroff, a veteran in teaching the MCR seminars, as instructors, the delegates focused on the topic of "Aligning Real Estate and Business Strategy."

The official first day of the summit featured back-to-back presentations, workshops and networking opportunities. Over the networking breakfast, Rodney Timm, Leader of Real Estate Advisory Services for Ernst and Young, gave a brief overview of the MCR program. He explained that after the kick-off of the program at the Summit it will continue rolling out over the next 18 months. "The MCR is not an academic masters but a designation," Timm explained, "that can be achieved through a series of seminars and a final capstone."

Following the breakfast, Angus Harvey Ross, Chair of the Brisbane Chapter, extended a welcome to all participants and introduced Warrick Hobart, Regional Chair of Australia and New Zealand, and CoreNet Global's CEO Peggy Binzel. "As an organization, we downplay where we are located and instead focus on being a global organization. This summit reminds us of how global we truly are," said Binzel, briefly expressing her pleasure in the MCR program so well received in the region.

With the tight schedule, the program immediately shifted to the first general session, "Property, Wellness and Learning-a Fundamental to Core Business," with keynote speaker Dick Warburton, Chairman of David Jones and Caltex Australia.

"It's doing things right rather than doing the right things," explained Warburton, discussing risk management. "Risk management, which can be defined as the system and mechanism for managing a company, requires complete control of the company structure." Warburton concluded by giving ten golden roles of making risk management a positive aspect of running a company. "Companies must now anticipate and be prepared to take risks. That is the fundamental part of running a successful business."

The delegates had a five-minute break before the launch of the second general session with keynote speaker Michael Joroff. Entitled, "Mind Shifts," Joroff began his presentation by saying that "The business of corporate real estate is the business of the business, and at the moment, the business is going through both fundamental change and huge change."

Michael Joroff continued the session in what members considered a "personable, futuristic, probative and thought-provoking presentation." He covered the importance in absolute flexibility and agility in this changing market, the idea that the workplace is not just the office. "The majority of knowledge workers spend only 30% of their work time at their desk. We must rethink the notion of the workplace, move from place-centric to people-centric."

Technology offers another venue for a mind shift. With younger generations who are "born to be wireless and won't know life any other way, this is the future work force we have to look to." Multi-tasking and swarming-using technology to spontaneously gather large groups of people, using cell phones while with friends and connecting instantaneously to a network of people-are just two habits of the younger generations around the world. Joroff feels, however, that there are no real surprises in technology rolling out in the next five to ten years, and instead it will just consist of better services and products.

To end the session Joroff explained the three paths in corporate real estate: enable and coinvent, strategic alignment and transaction management. He quoted Alan Kay saying, "The best way to predict the future is to invent it."

Following the general session, there was a brief networking tea break before the breakout workshop sessions. Workshop I- "Insourcing verses Outsourcing, the End Users' Service Delivery Experience in a Maturing Marketplace" had a panel examining outsourcing conducted by their company. Panelists Nick Trumble from AAMI, Peter Evans of Colliers International and Deborah Woodall with Colonial First State Property took the delegates through their outsourcing model, discussing high and low points of outsourcing.

A change in plans shifted the luncheon program to an impromptu panel discussion with Peter Collens and Bernd Neubauer. Collens, the General Manager of International Investments in the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development for the Victorian State Government spoke of "Invest Victoria," the program to bring business to the Victorian region. Neubauer who is the CEO of Economic Development for City of Brisbane mentioned the driving force of outsourcing in today's market.

The third General Session capped off the afternoon with speaker John Woolley, General Manager of Property for Queensland Rail. Adding on to the information presented at the earlier sessions, Woolley talked about risk management, specifically for Queensland Rail. "I frighten myself of how to put this mammoth of amount of risk into an operating program," said Woolley, explaining the creation of the new programme the QR Property Division. With the newly implanted system, there is a streamlined policy, an element of flexibility and increased comprehension.

Focusing energy and costs on four main concepts-a single area of responsibility, increased clarification of legislative and compliance risk, a centralized and dynamic system responsive to a changing environment, and an improved understanding of the governance responsibilities-is essential for maintaining a safe business according to Woolley. "The tools that you have are absolutely imperative. Go down the path of the areas you believe are most important to your company and centralize your concentration there. The rest will fall into place."

Delegates then had the option of attending concurrent workshops or for those involved in the MCR program, the third period of instruction. An afternoon break allowed attendees to stretch their legs on the expansive golf course, enjoy a swim in the pool, or walk out to the beach to reflect on the many lessons of the day. The Gala Dinner brought everyone together in an exotic atmosphere. Incense and candles bejeweled the brightly covered tables and two gorgeous works of art decorated the stage. Certainly, it was a memorable evening to wrap up a most memorable day.

Tuesday, July 29th, dawned early for speakers, delegates and staff with a 7:30 am breakfast. Peggy Binzel gave an update of CoreNet Global, from day one with a vacant building void of even desks, to today as an organization with over 7,500 members worldwide. "It's a mindset change. Every article, every publication, everything that we do has to demonstrate that we are a global organization working to serve our members in every possible way." With long-term initiatives and processes, goals and visions, CoreNet Global is moving as fast as it can, providing value and on-going education to all members.

With the conclusion of her update, the group moved on to the next general session, "Leading Issues facing chain retailers in Australian Shopping Centers." Moderator Colin West, Property Portfolio Head of Australia/New Zealand for American Express International, Inc., posed questions to the distinguished panel: Bryan Ford, Managing Director of Landplan; Max Cameron, Partner of Minter Ellison; Pat McKendry, Executive Director of National Retail Association; and Robert Allen, Development Manager of the Property Division of Australian Post.

"Information is power and those who have it have the ultimate power of negation," said McKendry, in response to trade negotiations between property owners and tenants. "Retail business by its very nature is extremely competitive which can make negotiations and releasing information difficult," Cameron explained. Confidentiality agreements, cost rates and negotiations make the business tricky, to say the least. West closed with some tips of the trade: before going into the negotiation, have agreed outcome; focus on having very clear and unemotional negotiations; and always be able to walk away.

More concurrent workshops followed, including Workshop II, "E-Learning Management Systems and their place in Corporate Real Estate Change Management," which directly correlated with Michael Joroff's presentation from the previous day. Lead by Moderator David Eades who is the National Service Leader of corporate real estate for Knight Frank Australia, the panel discussion featured John Hull, Managing Director of Hull Solutions Group, Th?r?se van Maanen, Director of Business Development of Southrock Corporation, and Graeme Wright, National Manager of Learning Technologies for Telstra.

Centered on creating a successful e-learning program, the session offered many factors that lead to a well-structured program as well as positive reasons for implanting one. E-learning enables companies to train, track and follow-up efficiently, while simultaneously reducing costs. John Hull summarized all the points in his final statement. "Train 20,000 people in a week. Try doing that in a classroom."

The fifth and final general session, "From Brown to Green-ESD in Occupancy Planning," with keynote speaker Ch? Wall allowed attendees to see several models of green buildings. Wall, Group Director of Licolne Scott Group, and Director of Advanced Environmental Concepts, promoted green buildings by examining all the benefits of green buildings.

From improved employee well-being to computer radiation output, Wall is certain that each new green building will be the benchmark for green buildings worldwide. The general plan is to "Create 90% in the most efficient way and have 10% articulated for the public." There is a challenge to demonstrate green buildings in a smart design with a fixed budget, and Wall proved that it can be done "The future is truly green."

After a brief workshop wrap-up by Angus Harvey Ross, the delegates enjoyed a BBQ and a luncheon program, "Outsourcing with Attitude," with Terry Weber and Trevor Moore of United KFPW Property Limited. Outsourcing is heading towards partnering principles: success, accountability, trust, communication, price and flexibility. Weber's final message included that success depends on the environment that provides the company with customer satisfaction, lower cost structure and a professional approach. Weber concluded with a general statement about making outsourcing successful. "In order to move forward, you must have a flexible management model, knowing that both parties have skin in the game and are taking the risk together."

The summit drew to a close with final votes of thanks to Angus Harvey Ross, Warrick Hobart, Peggy Binzel, Christine MacKenzie and event organizers Peter Chenoweth and Chris Martin. The prize drawing of three Zire 71 Palm Pilots and a last goodbye concluded the Global Summit. The MCR program continued until Wednesday morning, with the other delegates enjoying the sunny afternoon on the Sunshine Coast. Empowered with knowledge and enriched by the presentations, the feedback from the summit indicated it was definitely a worthwhile experience.