The retail industry has proven far more resilient than many expected. While COVID-19 accelerated the growth of e-commerce, consumers continue to value the in-store experience, seeking opportunities to touch, feel, and interact with products before making purchasing decisions. As a result, brick-and-mortar retail is not only surviving but evolving, with retailers leveraging both physical locations and digital platforms to create seamless customer experiences.
 
Today, retail real estate is experiencing a strong resurgence, driven by reduced supply, shifting consumer preferences, and renewed investor confidence. Experiential concepts such as entertainment, dining, health, and wellness are breathing new life into retail centers, while grocery-anchored and neighborhood retail developments continue to benefit from population growth in suburban markets. At the same time, retailers are increasingly using stores to support omni-channel strategies, combining traditional shopping with fulfillment, pickup, and last-mile logistics capabilities.
 
Join SMPS for The Rise of Retail, a discussion exploring the trends shaping the future of retail development. Industry leaders will share insights on evolving consumer behaviors, experiential retail, technology and AI integration, investment activity, and the opportunities these trends present for developers, designers, builders, and communities across our region.
 
Panelists:

MODERATOR- Robert Steele, AIA NCARB leads DLR Group's Mixed Use studio in the Southeast, based in Charlotte. In this role, he drives the growth of the practice by partnering with project teams to deliver innovative design solutions that address the evolving needs of developers across North Carolina and the broader Southeast region. With more than 20 years of experience, Robert has contributed to a diverse range of project types, including master planning, housing, education, and science and technology facilities. A strong advocate for collaboration, he believes that the best design outcomes emerge when teams explore multiple perspectives, challenge conventional thinking, and work together to uncover creative solutions.

Tommy Mann is Senior Vice President for Trammell Crow Company's MidAtlantic team in the Charlotte office. Tommy is responsible for the development of large-scale mixed-use projects, including the Iron District, a large-scale mixed-use development located at the confluence of Charlotte's Uptown and South End neighborhoods, across from Bank of America Stadium. Tommy joined TCC from ATCO Properties and Management, where he led the development of Camp North End in Charlotte, NC. His extensive experience in mixed-use development also includes significant projects in the Washington, DC area, such as Pike & Rose with Federal Realty and The Gantry with Kettler. Tommy is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

Robert Pressley, CCIM is the President and CEO of MECA Commercial Real Estate, which grew out of that original family business. MECA Commercial has multiple offices and provides development, brokerage and property management services throughout the Carolinas. During his career, Rob has completed thousands of transactions in the areas of land, investment, retail, office and industrial real estate. His clients include banks, national companies, small and large corporate entities, investors, developers, non-profits and various governmental entities. As a developer, Rob has been involved in the development of land, mixed use and adaptive reuse projects, single tenant properties and build to suits for corporate clients. He was, for over 20 years, very involved in MECA’s redevelopment of the Historic South End neighborhood.

Jennings Gray is the Lead Economic Developer for ElectriCities of North Carolina, where he supports more than 50 public power communities in advancing retail recruitment, commercial development, and downtown revitalization initiatives. With more than 20 years of experience spanning economic development, local government administration, and corporate retail site selection, Jennings brings a unique perspective on the partnership between communities, developers, and retailers in creating successful commercial environments.

Lukas Davaz runs Nuveen’s retail portfolio in the Southeast and Midwest. He oversees 21 assets spanning 4.3M square feet, valued at over $1B. He is focused on driving overall asset performance through advancing property-level leasing efforts, prudent expense management, and third-party personnel oversight. Lukas received a B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

If you have any questions, please contact the Programs Director at [email protected].

Cancellation/Refund Policy
Cancellations made 72-hours prior to the event will receive a refund. Due to our commitment with the meeting facility for food and beverage quantities, all other cancellations or no-shows will be invoiced for the full cost of the event.