Conference Schedule

Real Estate and Development in the Northern Rockies
Navigating a Changing Market
Oct. 23rd & 24th, 2008

Thursday, October 23rd

Pre-Conference Seminars  — Morning and Afternoon Sessions: 3 Tracks Track 1: Sustainable Building Practices and Market Demand Track 2: Land Use Law and Growth Management Track 3: Innovations in Marketing Strategies and Product Development
10:00 AM Morning Session (Concurrent Tracks)	Track 1:  Sustainable Building Practices and Market Demand "The Practice of Green Building, Step-by-Step" It's easy to talk about sustainable building, but what does it really take to do it on the ground? This session will examine the practical challenges of green building from conception, design and site planning to construction management. Presenter: Don MacArthur, MMW Architects Track 2: Land Use Law and Growth Management “The Constitutional Foundations of Land Use Law” This session will examine both federal and state constitutional issues associated with land use law, including property rights and regulatory "takings," and constitutional rights as they relate to the environment. “A Review of Major Recent Land use Cases in Montana” With state and local subdivision regulations, zoning codes and growth management policies in a continued state of flux, there has been no shortage of litigation over land use law in Montana. This session will review key recent cases and discuss the precedents they set — precedents which are critical not just for lawyers, but for everyone involved in development and land use issues.   Presenter: Alan McCormick, Garlington, Lohn & Robinson Track 3: Innovations in Marketing Strategies and Product Development “Innovations and Trends in Real Estate Marketing” As the real estate market softens, innovative and creative marketing is more important than ever. Join this panel of marketing experts as they share key ideas that will help you prosper no matter what the market conditions. Panel: Denise Andres, ERA Landmark Real Estate (Bozeman) Bruce Burger, Foley Group Tim Newhart, Newhart & Associates Bob Tutskey, saltStudio Clint Walker, Saddlehorn Moderator: Tom Donnelly, Flathead Beacon “Marketing Through the Slowdown" A down market can actually be an opportunity for firms that know how to take advantage. Join this panel of marketing and public relations specialists for insight into the strategies that can keep you on top. Panel: Bridget Cavanaugh, O'Berry Cavanaugh Jessica Flynn, Red Sky Public Relations Stacy Kendrick, Partners Creative Ross Rademacher, Maverick Group Jeff Welch, Mercury Advertising Moderator: Jonathan Weber, NewWest.Net
12:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM Afternoon Session (Concurrent Tracks)	Track 1: Sustainable Building Practices and Market Demand "Sustainable Development and Market Demand" The market demand for green and high performance buildings is growing. What is our market demanding in the West, in the Rocky Mountains and what kind of incentives foster this movement? What are some of the key issues for developers in meeting the sustainability challenge? Presenters: Ryan McEvoy, Gaia Development Heather Burdette, Yellowstone Business Partnership John Freer, Montana Building Industry Association Track 2: Land Use Law and Growth Management "Engaging Public Discussion on Land Use and Transportation Issues" This session will review techniques for promoting good public conversation about development and land use issues, especially the most complex and contentious ones. The discussion is aimed at anyone — developer, lawyer, planner or others — involved in public processes related to growth and development. Presenter: Roger Millar, Missoula Office of Planning & Grants "Impact Fees and Legal Challenges in Growth Management" This session will discuss the legal issues associated with growth management tools and policies in the Rocky Mountain West. It will also address impact fees in particular and how municipalities can be empowered to guide themselves. Presenter: JoAnn Butler, Spink Butler, LLP Track 3: Innovations in Marketing Strategies and Product Development "Exploring Partial Ownership Opportunities" This session will focus on the national regulatory climate for the promotion, development, marketing and sale of various types of partial interest in real estate projects, including timeshares, condominiums, fractional ownership, private residence clubs, non-equity clubs and condo-hotels.   Presenter: Abe Abramson, C.E. Abramson/REALTOR "The Growing Condo Market" Condominium development is a hot conversation, particularly with first-time homeowners. This session will address the condo market trends, buyer demographics, special considerations and fees and financing.   Presenter: Collin Bangs, Coldwell Banker Steinbrenner Real Estate "Satisfying the Need for Affordable Housing" Lack of affordable housing continues to be a serious concern for many communities, with an ever-changing set of variables. This presentation will discuss what has worked, what has not worked, policies that encourage and support development of affordable housing, and changes to the housing development landscape as a result of new housing legislation.      Presenter: Lori Davidson, Missoula Housing Authority
Thursday Afternoon Plenary Session
4:00 PM	Timothy Egan, author and New York Times columnist, will kick off a discussion the upcoming election and political transformation in the West.
4:30 PM	Politics in the West: The scene, the election and how it intersects with development, land use and other Western issues. Panel: Timothy Egan, The New York Times Jennifer McKee, Lee Newspapers Montana State Bureau Dan Popkey, The Idaho Statesman Rone Tempest, WyoFile.Com Moderator: Jonathan Weber, NewWest.Net
5:30 PM	Opening Reception and Social with special guest: elected officials from around the region. Welcoming remarks from Missoula Mayor John Engen

Friday, October 24

8:15 AM	Welcoming Remarks
8:30 AM	Economic Outlook: Key Trends Driving the Northern Rockies Real Estate Market The credit crisis and the dramatic downturn in the real estate market have left many professionals wondering about the health of the industry. Two years ago, in his talk at Real Estate and Development in the Northern Rockies, renowned regional economist Christopher Thornberg predicted many of the developments that have unfolded over the past year. In this session Thornberg will give his analysis and predictions for the next 18 months. Christopher Thornberg, Beacon Economics
9:20 AM	The Wall Street Bailout and Regional Economy This panel of highly regarded regional economists will continue the discussion of real estate market trends and the upheaval in the global credit markets — and what that means for development in the region. Panel: David Eacret, Real Estate Economics Tobias Madden, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Larry Swanson, O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West
10:20 AM	Break
10:40 AM	Keynote: Rick Holley, President and CEO of Plum Creek Timber Company Plum Creek is the largest private land owner in the country and in Montana. While the company’s core business is forestry, its business model includes real estate opportunities on a portion of its lands. Mr. Holley will provide insight into the current trends and outlook for real estate as well as some of the challenges of operating in today’s economic climate. He will also share the company’s approach to real estate activities which includes thoughtful consideration of wildlife, conservation and land use planning.
11:40 AM	Developers and the Changing Market: What’s Next? Developers and builders face many challenges today that are different from what they faced a year or two ago. What does the market look like from the developers perspective, and how are they adjusting? What types of new projects have the most potential? What are the areas to avoid? Panel: Perry Ashby, Wesmont Builders, Inc Sima Murhoff, Blackhawk on the River Chip Pigman, Pigman Builders
12:30 PM	Lunch
1:40 PM	Gas Prices, Transportation and Growth Management With many Northern Rockies towns turning into cities and high gas prices potentially discouraging traditional suburban and rural development, transportation planning is more critical than ever. This panel will discuss some of the options, and examine pioneering approaches in regional transportation development. Panel: Charles Hales, HDR Engineering David Kack, Western Transportation Institute Roger Millar, Missoula Office of Planning & Grants Troy Russ, Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin
2:40 PM	Ag Lands, Local Food and Open Space Productive lands for grazing, farming and ranching are an indispensable — and increasingly appreciated — part of the Northern Rockies landscape. This panel will discuss the issues associated with conservation of open spaces and ag lands in an era of rapid growth; the growing importance of local foods; and the emergence of new approaches to integrated development. Panel: Jim Hagenbarth, Hagenbarth Livestock Paul Hubbard, Community Food & Agriculture Coalition Bob Quinn, Quinn Organic Farm and Ranch Jennifer Zung, Harmony Design & Engineering
3:40 PM	Break
4:00 PM	Perspectives from North of the Border Building a ski-in neighborhood at the base of the still “funky” Red Mountain Resort near the still “not fancy” town of Rossland, British Columbia — all based on a passion for wilderness, mountain communities and culture. Thor Arnold, zimtor architecture
4:25 PM	Streamside Setbacks: The Argument Building alongside a stream or river can provide a spectacular setting to call home, but it can also damage healthy riparian areas and potentially cause property damage during high water years. Mandatory streamside setbacks are controversial: some consider them a brazen infringement on property rights, while others say they are crucial to secure public rights to waterways and a healthy environment. This panel will look at all sides of the questions, and how different jurisdictions are wrestling with the issue. Panel: Janet Ellis, Montana Audubon Hal Harper, Chief Policy Advisor to Governor Brian Schweitzer Karen Knudsen, Clark Fork Coalition Bill Myers, Bayside Park and Marine Center William VanCanagan, Datsopoulos MacDonald & Lind
5:15 PM	Conference Adjourns