January 2016 Newsletter - mecsc.olasoft.commecsc.olasoft.com/document/3468/January 2016...
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January 2016 Newsletter DAVID MACADAM Chief Executive Officer Welcome to our January 2016 MECSC Newsletter. Wow!!! 2016 has started out with tremendous momentum thanks to the tremendous support of our members, Regional Representatives, Board Members and staff!!! Our Next Generation Networking Events in both Cairo and Beirut were amazing. The Cairo event was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Heliopolis. Mohamed Galal arranged everything so capably with so many in the industry arriving with so much to say. The forum provided with the Next Gen Networking Event was timely and passionate. Getting industry leaders together to discuss important topics in Egypt proved to be important for the future of retailing in the short term in Egypt with currency controls hampering growth. In Beirut, Nabil Gebrael together with Samar Akkou organized the First Next Generation Networking Event held in Lebanon!!! The venue was the very historic and beautiful Ambassador’s residence for Spain at the Palais Chehab, Baabda overlooking Beirut. We enjoyed a great line up of speakers and the networking segment of the event was enjoyed with great food and wine from Chateau NAKAD. Congratulations to you both on the massive success of the first of many more Next Gen Networking Events to happen in Lebanon. See the links below to the photographs of these events. NextGen Cairo Photos
Transcript of January 2016 Newsletter - mecsc.olasoft.commecsc.olasoft.com/document/3468/January 2016...
January 2016 Newsletter
DAVID MACADAM
Chief Executive Officer
Welcome to our January 2016 MECSC Newsletter.
Wow!!! 2016 has started out with tremendous momentum thanks to the tremendous
support of our members, Regional Representatives, Board Members and staff!!!
Our Next Generation Networking Events in both Cairo and Beirut were
amazing. The Cairo event was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in
Heliopolis. Mohamed Galal arranged everything so capably with so many in the
industry arriving with so much to say. The forum provided with the Next Gen
Networking Event was timely and passionate. Getting industry leaders together to
discuss important topics in Egypt proved to be important for the future of retailing in
the short term in Egypt with currency controls hampering growth.
In Beirut, Nabil Gebrael together with Samar Akkou organized the First Next
Generation Networking Event held in Lebanon!!! The venue was the very historic
and beautiful Ambassador’s residence for Spain at the Palais Chehab, Baabda
overlooking Beirut. We enjoyed a great line up of speakers and the networking
segment of the event was enjoyed with great food and wine from Chateau
NAKAD. Congratulations to you both on the massive success of the first of many
more Next Gen Networking Events to happen in Lebanon.
See the links below to the photographs of these events.
NextGen Cairo Photos
NextGen Beirut Photos | NextGen Beirut Press Releases (Compilations)
The Riyadh Next Generation Networking Event is to be held in the Sheraton Riyadh
Hotel and Tower on Tuesday February 16th from 6 pm to 9 pm. We are enjoying
more sponsors joining the lineup of support for this event. As you may recall we had
220+ attendees to the Jeddah Next Generation Networking Event in October last
year and we expect similar success in the Riyadh event in February.
Everyone in Dubai on Sunday, February 7 from 6pm to 8:30pm is invited to
the 24th Floor of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel for a social networking event.
Special
Announcements
One of the important roles of the MECSC is to announce who is new to the region
and those who are retiring or leaving the region after years of active leading roles in
the Retail Industry.
Patrick Lawrence is retiring from Fine Fare Foods ( Spinney’s / Waitrose) after
a great career there. Patrick has over 30 years’ experience in the Shopping Centre
and Retail Industry in South Africa and the Middle East. His skills extend to, Mall
Management, Development, Asset Management, Tenant Mix Planning and Leasing.
He also has more than 5 years’ experience representing major retailers. Patrick was
brought out to Dubai in 1997 by Al the Ghurair family to work on the refurbishment
and extension. Al Ghurair is the oldest climate controlled retail development in
Dubai. He was there for 3 years and finished the refurbishment but the family
couldn't buy all the surrounding property necessary to do the extension. He was then
approached to move to Qatar on a 2 year contract as General Manager of City
Centre Doha, then Largest retail development in the ME. During his first year the
development was in the final stages of construction and it was fully operational
during the second year.At the end of his contract he moved to Kuwait with
the Tamdeem Real Estate Company as General Manager, Property. He looked after
and advised on the refurbishment and did the leasing of Al Manshar, a very old Souq
and apartment development, Al Kout a new retail development with a fishing harbour
and luxury marina. He also did initial tenant mix planning for the 360 development.
He was in Kuwait during the American lead invasion of Iraq and I had my office
windows rattled by a Scud missile which landed about 500 meters offshore from his
office. After 4 years in Kuwait, he did a short 2 year stint with the Landmark as head
of the property division finding locations for all their brands and doing the leasing for
the Oasis Centre.Then joined Emaar Properties, employed by Mr. David Macadam,
as Leasing Director. Whilst at Emaar, he made contact with the Spinneys and
Waitrose group, Dubai and after 2 years with Emaar was asked to join the Spinneys
group to head up their property division. 6 years later time to retire and head home.
Patrick will be missed for his terrific market knowledge and his can do
attitude, always. Patrick will be moving back to his native South Africa but will
remain active in his own business in the African retail industry handling the
expansion of many new brands into that region.
John T. Riordan School for Retail Real Estate Professionals
April 17-21, 2016 at The Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Our team has already signed up our NEW instructors for 2016!!!
The ICSC/MECSC Schools for Professional Development (Levels 1 & 2) are 5-
day programs which offer participants the finest learning experience and an
unmatched exchange of industry experts and executives from around the
region.Disciplines include Management, Marketing and Leasing in Levels I & II.
Both levels are held con-currently and attendees can only attend one level for
the entire duration of the course.
For information including schedule and fees, please contact Lea Venezuela at
+971 4 359 7909/ [email protected]
REGISTER ONLINE
MECSC DIRECTORY 2016
The MECSC Directory will include MENA region-wide Retailers, Fit Out
experts, HR firms, Service Providers, Leasing and Advisory Groups,
Architects and of course Shopping Centre information - It will be the go-to guide
for professionals in the retail industry in one bound document. We will be providing
opportunities for all businesses to advertise in our directory. A first time
opportunity to showcase your business.
Take advantage of this opportunity to feature your new developments or
include/update your existing retail developments. We will list on a complimentary
basis to your shopping centre, service providers, fit out experts, HR firms, architects
and retailers. Advertising in smaller or larger format sizes will be feasible for all
businesses.
For more information, please click here.
RETAIL PEOPLE MAGAZINE
February 2016 Issue:
“Retail People” Magazine – Fashion and Beauty - Grab your copy now!
April 2016 Issue: Out in time for the JTR Global School for Retail Professionals
April 17 to 21 “Retail People” Magazine – Leisure and Entertainment
A great opportunity to raise your personal profile in the retail industry. Join
in!! Viewed by over 10,000 readers quarterly in 45 countries. Sponsors are
also welcome and many of our members have expanded their marketing
programs using our Retail People Magazine. We urge you to do the same!!
Please email Mariz at [email protected] for more information.
2016 NEXTGEN Networking Events
January 19 - NextGen Networking Event in Cairo, Egypt
January 21 - NextGen Networking Event in Beirut, Lebanon
February 16 - NextGen Networking Event in Burj Rafal Kempinski Hotel,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
March 17 - NextGen Networking Event in Ezdan Mall, Doha, Qatar
April 19 - NextGen Networking Event in Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, UAE
October 10 - NextGen Networking Event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
December - NextGen Networking Event in Muscat, Oman
To register as a participant, kindly visit www.mecsc.org.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lea Venezuela +971 50 708
9235 or email [email protected].
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MECSC MEMBERSHIP - Benefits
Promotional Offer from St. James's Hotel London -
Emirates Ailine Promotional Offer
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SHARE NEWS OR ARTICLES ON MECSC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!
If you wish to include news or articles about your organization on our Monthly
Newsletter, please email [email protected]
We aim to circulate the Newsletter on the last week of each month - please
submit before the 23rd of the month.
MECSC MEMBER BENEFITS
Airline
Emirates Exclusive Offer to UAE based members - Use the promotional
code: AEMECSC and show your original MECSC membership card at the EK
ticketing Counter when paying. For more information click here
Hotels
Members can avail corporate rates in the following hotels-
BurJuman Arjaan Rotana
Nuran Marina Serviced Residences
Vida Hotels and Resorts
The Address Hotels and Resorts
Armani Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel
Hotel Corporate rates outside UAE
Shangri-La, At The Shard, London
InterContinental, Doha
Jeddah Marriott Hotel, Saudi Arabia
InterContinental Regency, Bahrain
InterContinental Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
St.James Hotel & Club, United Kingdom
Sponsored Banners
MECSC Staff MECSC staffing – now 5 full time employees. All of our successes this year are the
result of our team at the MECSC handling all these challenges with the great focus,
high energy and exceptional enthusiasm. Headed up by Lea Venezuela, Director of
the MECSC we also have Mariz Matocdo handling the Retail People Magazine,
Reymond Lagmay handling our MECSC Directory, Khaye Comanda handling our
accounts and finance and our latest member, Ian Baldonanza who is handling our
membership and data base management. A huge thank you to the MECSC Team
for making this all possible!!!!!!
Lastly and certainly not by any means the least, I want to personally thank all of
YOU, our members, who have provided this new level of interest in the MECSC
and have demonstrated your support in so many positive ways. Thank you!!!
SHOPPING CENTRE NEWS
Retail Plaza, business park plans unveiled for Dubai Autodrome
Dubai Autodrome and Union Properties have announced plans to develop a Retail
Plaza close to the start-finish straight of the motor racing circuit.
The new retail project, located in the grandstand area of Dubai Autodrome, will
encompass a large outdoor terrace in which merchants can operate their
businesses, a statement said. Read more...
The Avenues: New Districts in The new Expansion
Grand Avenue - The 260-metre extension of Grand Avenue will create a new high-
street shopping experience for the Kuwait with a mix of regional, western and
contemporary architectural influences enclosed under one transparent roof structure.
Inspired by historical Western high streets such as New York’s Fifth Avenue or
Regent Street in London, Grand Avenue is a vibrant ‘retail city’ that hosts world-
renowned flagship stores and regional brands. Several prominent routes branch out
from Grand Avenue, making it the main retail spine and the heart of The
Avenues. Read more...
Wasl Properties Launches 'wasl Duet' in Karama
Wasl Properties has announced the launch of 'wasl Duet' in Karama. The first
building in the two-building mixed-use project was launched today, with the second
due to be released onto the market imminently. The project forms part of wasl
properties ' agenda to regenerate the established districts of Dubai and features a
number of retail outlets to support the surrounding area. Read more...
Dubai’s small malls offer breathing space for retailers
A spate of smaller/community shopping centres have opened up across the city
allowing retailers - especially small and mid-tier brands as well as F&B concepts - to
open up at new locations and not have to wait for years to get a spot at one of the
destination malls. These new additions have eased the pressure on retailers who
rely on a minimum number of new store openings each year for their organic
growth. Read more...
Mall of Qatar selects Yardi Voyager 7S for retail lease and property
management
The Mall of Qatar, which will be the largest retail shopping centre in Qatar when it
opens in August 2016, will automate property management and accounting
with Yardi Voyager® 7S, the company’s new mobile-enabled, tablet-compatible
Software as a Service property management and accounting platform. Mall of Qatar
will also implement Yardi Commercial LeasingPad™, a fully mobile solution that
provides contact and prospect management with portfolio health analytics and
business intelligence. Read more...
UAE developer reveals details of Bahrain mega project
UAE-based Eagle Hills, in partnership with local developer Diyar Al Muharraq, has
revealed details of its flagship urban centre Marassi Galleria, a residential, hospitality
and lifestyle shopping and entertainment destination in Bahrain. Read more...
RETAIL NEWS
More retail names sign up to Dubai theme park project
Riverland Dubai, the gateway to Dubai Parks and Resorts, has announced the
second wave of retail partners to join the new dining, retail and entertainment
destination, which is set to open in October, along with three theme parks, a water
park and a resort hotel. Read more...
The Boulevard Amman Jordan - Q1 2016 Newsletter
The Boulevard has lived up to its name being truly “The Walk of the Town.” As
Jordan’s most anticipated venue,The Boulevard captivated local and international
audiences as it transformed its infamous promenade to celebrate all
seasons in grand style. Thousands of visitors were indulged by the special and
festive atmosphere they have grown accustomed to, where The Boulevard’s
festivities have become a signature staple for the new Downtown of Amman. Read
more...
Gulf's second Bloomingdale's store to open in Kuwait in 2017
Dubai’s Al Tayer Group will open a Bloomingdale’s department store in Kuwait in
Spring 2017, marking its third project in the region as part of its partnership with
Macy's. Read more...
Dubai's Dragon Mart posts record footfall during DSF 2016
Nakheel's Dragon Mart retail complex in Dubai has registered its highest number of
daily visitors since opening in 2004, with average footfall topping 110,000 at peak
times during the emirate's annual shopping festival Read more...
UAE retailer Lulu plans to invest $186m in Saudi expansion
UAE retailer Lulu has revealed plans to invest a further SR700 million ($186.4
million) in opening new hypermarkets across Saudi Arabia by 2017. The expansion
plan was announced by Lulu group chairman Yusuffali MA as the company opened
its sixth Saudi hypermarket in Dammam, the capital of Eastern Province - its 121st in
the Gulf region. Read more...
Retail firm Marka sets up HQ in Dubai Design District
Dubai retail firm Marka has said it has established its new corporate headquarters at
Dubai Design District. The announcement reflects the company's ongoing growth
and expansion, which now sees its complement of employees numbering over
1,000, it said in a statement.Read more...
Our team at the MECSC looks forward to your ongoing feedback and support for our organization. We
value your communication and feedback on our plans, goals and objectives as a growing and vibrant
retail organization in 2016. Connect with Lea - [email protected] or any of the team to pass on your
feedback.
MEMBER UPDATES
Welcome on Board! NEW MECSC MEMBERS!!!
See who have recently joined the organisation
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Copyright MECSC 2016
Middle East Council of Shopping Centres
803, Burjuman Business Tower, PO Box 43972, Dubai, UAE
