Mall Council to highlight importance of leasing programme on effective shopping centre management

Running from November 29 to 30, 2006, at the Sofitel in Dubai, the workshop will be conducted by Walter Kleinschmit, President of R2E Consultants Inc and former General Manager of the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The workshop is part of MECSC's on-going calendar of training and education for the mall and retail industries in the region and will also cover leasing in the Middle East, ways to target retailers, preparation of lease contracts and developing negotiation skills. Participants can discuss, implement and review what is discussed during the workshop through case studies and interactive sessions.

Kim Redman, Regional Director for the MECSC, said: "The MECSC is committed to ensuring that both the mall and retail industries receive the best professional training, and that fostered talent stays here in the region. Mall and shopping dynamics are ever changing, and as year-on-year growth continues, the importance of clear leasing programmes has never been so important."

"Walter Kleinschmit is renowned in the industry and the region for his success and knowledge. His training is regionally relevant, and attendees will benefit greatly from his vast experience in the field."

Although a majority of participants will probably represent the mall industry, MECSC is keen to push the message home with retailers as well. "Retailers can benefit greatly from seminars like this, particularly those that are new to the region. The ABC of Leasing provides valuable insight in to the process of leasing negotiation, a gaining benefits for both parties," advised Redman.

As retailers consider IPO floatations, and the retail industry continues its rapid expansion, leasing opportunities within malls and shopping centres will be determined by retailers and consumer profile, as opposed to the current trend of 'open everywhere'.

Speaking of the workshop, Kleinschmit said: "An effective leasing programme is essential to the operation of a successful shopping centre. It is vital to the survival of any business in the shopping centre and guarantees them a location and duration in which they can achieve their goals."

"With gross leasable area for GCC set to reach 10 million square metres by 2010, the importance of good planning techniques in developing a successful leasing programme cannot be ignored; competition for brands and customers is going to get fierce. This workshop will focus on the important basic aspects of leasing, how to put together an efficient leasing plan and manage the entire process."

Kleinschmit's R2E Consultants is a consulting practice specialising in the development of retail real estate and mixed use projects. Prior to this, he was General Manager - Operations of the Kingdom Centre, in Riyadh for eight years.

Kleinschmit has over two decades of experience in the regional retail industry. Before moving to the Middle East, he worked for more than 19 years in Canada specialising in retail. He is a founder of the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and is a member of the international faculty of the ICSC School of Professional Development.