At last week's Orange County Executive Forum, hosted by the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate and Allen Matkins, panelists said new technology—which commercial real estate hasn't always been keen to adopt—is one of the industry's most important assets. Panelists included: Allen Matkins' Gary McKitterick, Standard Pacific Homes Scott Stowell, IBA Realty's Phillip Belling, Western National Group's Michael Hayde, and Donahue Schriber's Patrick Donahue.
This photo was taken after David Copperfield made the whole panel disappear. (Magic is the original technology.) Tech can help tracking and measuring leads, and reducing expenses. In the retail world, Patrick deemed online sales not a mortal threat to brick-and-mortar shops, since it can only offer so much in the way of experiential retail and customer service. Snapped: Lusk Center director Richard Green.