Presents:
April Panel Luncheon
Commercial Cross-Section: Conversation with Senior Industry Leaders.
Tuesday, April 16th, 2024
Guest Speakers
Kirk Kuester
Executive Managing Director, Vancouver
Colliers
Kirk holds the position of Executive Managing Director where he has responsibility for the brokerage operation as well as the development and execution of Colliers business plan and strategy for the region.
Kirk has been active in the Canadian commercial real estate industry for close to four decades. After commencing his career in Calgary, Kirk relocated to Vancouver and joined Colliers in 1988. Kirk spent 14 years as a professional in the capital markets area where he was a market leader in facilitating real estate debt, equity, and investment solutions for his many clients. Kirk assumed the role of Managing Director for the Vancouver region initially in 2002 and held increasing levels of responsibility up until the end of 2019 when he departed the company as Executive Managing Director, BC. Kirk then directed his efforts on several capital raising and advisory mandates before rejoining Colliers in 2021 to focus on a variety of national and regional capital market activities.
As an established executive and leader in the commercial real estate industry, Kirk is known for his vast network of contacts and relationships, his extensive market knowledge and insight as well as his considerable experience and expertise in building and leading a high-performance, client-focused, professional commercial real estate advisory business. Kirk is passionately committed to the ongoing development and constant improvement of an operating platform that provides Colliers professionals with a competitive advantage in delivering strategic, innovative and both data and insight-based real estate advice and solutions. Kirk is an advocate of Colliers commitment to technology and data in support its professionals and their decision making and project execution; Net Promotor Score in support of Colliers commitment to service excellence and client loyalty; innovative property marketing strategies; and AON Hewitt in support of its commitment to employee engagement.
Kirk’s day to day priorities are in the areas P & L performance and leadership, strategic planning and leadership, business development, performance coaching and development, recruiting and retention, market identity and public relations, employee engagement, social responsibility and compliance. Kirk also takes an active role in the support, oversight and facilitation of the company’s major property listings, occupier mandates and other major project-based initiatives.
Kirk has served on a variety of planning and advisory committees in Vancouver, including Covenant House, United Way, Vancouver Community College, BCIT and the Blue-Ribbon Council on Vancouver’s Business Climate Strategy. He is also a current cabinet member of the Business Laureates of British Columbia (BLBC) Hall of Fame as well as a champion for Junior Achievement British Columbia.
Blake Asselstine
Executive Managing Director and Managing Principal, Vancouver
Cushman & Wakefield
Blake is a trusted leader in the industry bringing over 20 years of Brokerage and Landlord work, Asset Management, Capital Markets, and Property Management. His Commercial Real Estate experience within BC, as well as his passion and professionalism is critical to C&W’s future growth.
Blake’s primary responsibilities include, the development of meaningful thought leadership and expertise-based practice groups to elevate our platform in the marketplace and to position C&W’s Commercial Real Estate experts at the forefront of the industry. His support and guidance is necessary to foster a culture of connectivity and further business development, profitability, quality client services and market share.
Prior to joining C&W, Blake worked at Beedie where he most recently served as Vice President, Asset Management. In his role at Beedie, he oversaw the day-to-day activities of the Asset Management team, including Leasing, Property Management, Tenant Improvement Construction, and Service and Warranty. Prior to this position, he served as Beedie’s Director of Leasing, supporting the growth of the income producing property (IPP) portfolio from 8.5 million square feet (msf) to 10.5 msf over 6 years, and successfully maintained a near zero vacancy rate during that period.
Prior to his time at Beedie, Blake worked with a leading Commercial Real Estate firm in Vancouver specializing in industrial sales and leasing.
Event Details
11:45 a.m. Registration
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Guest Speakers
Cost
$80 (incl. GST) MIABC Members
$100 (incl. GST) Non Members
$25 (incl. GST) Students
