
Derek Dickow Presents:
POWER CONNECTIONS
Building powerful connections in Commercial Real Estate

Derek Dickow Presents:
POWER CONNECTIONS
Building powerful connections in Commercial Real Estate
CREATE POWERFUL CONNECTIONS IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Thursday, June 22, 2023
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Townsend Hotel
100 Townsend Street | Birmingham, Michigan
Power Connections Event Recap
Derek Dickow is renowned for his networking prowess, and this event showcased another triumph in connecting key players from the commercial real estate industry. A carefully curated lineup of seasoned professionals shared invaluable insights through expert keynotes, fireside chats, and trend-focused panels.
The event featured the region’s largest 1:1 speed networking, providing ample opportunities for meaningful connections. A delightful cocktail and reception added to the networking experience.
Gratitude to our sponsors, as Power Connections welcomed more than 400 attendees who networked, learned from our experts, and collectively envisioned the future of the state’s commercial real estate industry.
GIVING BACK
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the attendees and sponsors, we were able to donate over $39,500 to The Children’s Foundation, which advocates for the health of children in Michigan through research, education, programs, and other initiatives.

NEW CONNECTIONS. LASTING IMPACT.
Commercial real estate isn’t about buildings and land. It’s about people.
Success in Commercial Real Estate requires human connection. It’s more than just discussions about buildings and land — it’s also about people. That’s why we bring key members of the industry together to share information and insights and to experience mutually beneficial networking opportunities. Building powerful connections is what happens at our Power Connections events.
Across the region, industry leaders in CRE consider this the can’t-miss date of the year. This year’s event has been reimagined, retooled, and reinvented to bring even more value to professionals in commercial real estate. It will spark connections that change careers, industries and lives.
In this one-day immersive event, you’ll hear exclusive insights into the latest market conditions driving the region’s CRE landscape. You’ll hear from innovators, trendsetters, and newsmakers — crucial next-gen intelligence that will help you build your business and grow your network.
Attend POWER CONNECTIONS: Building Powerful Connections in Commercial Real Estate, and you’ll experience:
• A day of connecting with the smartest people in the industry
• Engaging panel discussions with actionable advice
• The newest and best strategies to build your business
• Insight into the latest market trends
• The region’s largest 1:1 speed networking event
• Social and networking opportunities to help you connect with more than 300 professionals from across the CRE ecosystem
• A tradeshow that features exhibits from an array of established and up-and-coming businesses
This event is where ideas are nurtured, relationships are built, and careers are made. New connections. Lasting Impact. Are you in?
*Please note: Agenda, timeline, and speakers may change at any time.
CREATE POWERFUL CONNECTIONS IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Thursday, June 22, 2023
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Townsend Hotel
100 Townsend Street | Birmingham, Michigan
Thursday, June 22nd
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Dr. Ammar Alkhafaji
Principal, W Investors Group
Dennis Bernard
Founder, President of Bernard Financial Group
Sam Beznos
CEO, Beztak Companies
Ron Boji
CEO, Boji Group
Stephen Burke
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Rair Capital
David Cohen
President & CEO, ARCO
Patty Cosman
Managing Director of Real Estate, Hylant
Derek Dickow
Event Host, Power Connector
Zaid Elia
CEO, Elia Group
Jared Friedman
Managing Director, Friedman Real Estate
Andy Gutman
President, Farbman Group
Saab Grewal
Director, Asset Management, Singh Development

Charles Gleeson, II
President & CEO,
C.E. Gleeson Constructors, Inc.
Kevin Johnson
President & CEO, DEGC
Emily D’Agostini Kunath
Principal, D’Agostini Companies
R.J. King
Editor, DBusiness Magazine
Richard Karp
President, Karp and Associates
Kevin Kovachevich
Founder, District Capital
Adam Lutz
Managing Principal, Q10 Lutz Financial Services
Lori Mullins
Vice President of Economic Incentives, MEDC

Fadi Nassar
President, Nassar Companies
Rudy Patros
CEO, Securatech
Gideon Pfeffer
CEO & Managing Partner, GSH
Kirk Pinho
Senior Reporter, Crain’s Detroit Business
Krystol Rappuhn
Executive Vice President, Beanstalk Real Estate Solutions
Amb. John Rakolta Jr.
Chairman, Walbridge
Steve Schimpke
Director of Client & Real Estate Strategy, Cunningham-Limp
Jonathon S. Margolis
Farbman Group
Angela Thomas
Co-Founder, AERES Real Estate
Mark Winter
President & Founding Partner, Identity
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT OUR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE EVENTS
Power Connections in Commercial Real Estate
June 22, 2023 @ The Townsend Hotel
8:oo a.m. i Continental Networking Breakfast – Sponsored by Symmetry Management | Networking Breakfast |
9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. i Session 1: Derek Dickow Keynote: How to Build Power Connections: To start the day, Derek Dickow will provide best practices on how to maximize networking opportunities during the conference. This abbreviated keynote and introduction provides attendees tools to help maximize the day. | Keynote: How to Build Power Connections |
9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. i Session 2: 1:1 Speed Networking: This is likely the most valuable session of the conference. During the speed networking power hour, participants will have an opportunity to meet other attendees in micro meetings. We expect attendees to have several conversations during this session. | 1:1 Speed Networking |
10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. i Session 3: Panel 1: Multi-Family Navigating Construction Costs, Legislative and Capital Challenges in Multifamily Real Estate. Sponsored by District Capital Detroit & C.E. Gleeson Constructors, INC. Our first panel features leaders in the Multi-family sector. Panelists will be discussing their thoughts on the current state of the market, trends, as well sharing their experiences. Participants include: · Sam Beznos, CEO, Beztak Companies · David Cohen, CEO and President, ARCO North · Charles Gleeson II, President & CEO, C.E. Gleeson Constructors, Inc · Saab Grewal, Director of Asset Management, Singh · Kevin Kovachevich, Founder, District Capital Detroit · Moderator: Gideon Pfeffer, CEO & Managing Partner, GSH |
Panel 1: Multi-Family |
11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Break |
11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. i Session 4: Panel 2: Mixed-Use Strategic Approaches to Mixed-Use Developments: Unlocking value and incentives in a Changing Landscape Sponsored by Q10 Lutz & Securatech This panel features a diverse group of developers, a banker and professional service provider, and economic catalyst from the state of Michigan focused on Mixed Use developments. Learn how the experts source opportunities, leverage public-private-partnerships and maximize revenue. Participants include: · Richard Karp, President, Karp & Associates . Adam Lutz,Managing Principal, Q10 Lutz Financial Services · Lori Mullins, Vice President of Economic Incentives, MEDC . Rudy Patros, Owner and President, Securatech · Krystol Rappuhn, Beanstalk Real Estate · Moderator: Kirk Pinho, Senior Reporter, Crain’s Detroit Business |
Panel 2: Mixed Use |
12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. | Lunch |
12:45 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Afternoon Program Begins |
1:00 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. i Session 5: Fireside Chat with Ron Boji – Boji Group: Hear Ron Boji’s story – Father and Son duo that built a CRE juggernaut including more than 60 properties specializing in mixed-use, retail, petroleum, hospitality and wholesale distribution. Specializes in private-public partnerships that make a difference in each engaged community through innovative development solutions, creative strategy and trusted property and construction management. | Fireside Chat with Ron Boji |
1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. i Session 6: Panel 3: Retail Revitalizing Retail, Hospitality and Discovering Innovative Strategies while Adapting to the Digital Age. Sponsored by RAIR Capital & Identity PR This panel features a diverse group of retail leaders, including a banker, broker, restaurateur, hospitality expert and developer highlighting opportunities in the retail sector. Participants include: . Dr. Ammar Alkhafaji, Principal, W Investors Group · Stephen Burke, RAIR Capital · Zaid Elia, The Elia Group · Stoli Liti, Prime Concepts . Angela Thomas, Co-Founder, AERES Real Estate · Moderator: Mark Winter, President, Identity PR |
Panel 3: Retail |
2:15 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. | Keynote: Stopping Michigan’s Population Loss |
2:25 p.m. to 2:35 p.m. | Fireside Chat with Ambassador John Rakolta, Jr.
|
2:35 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. | Afternoon Break: Snacks Provided |
2:50 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. i Session 7: Panel 4: Industrial Industrial Real Estate: Optimizing Construction Costs and Capital Investments Sponsored by Jaimes Industries & Cunningham-Limp This panel features a variety of developers and a builder focused on the industrial markets from owner operator, multi-asset class developers and a construction expert. Panelists include: · Jared Friedman, Managing Director, Friedman Real Estate . Emily D’Agostini Kunath, Principal, D’Agostini Companies . Fadi Nassar, President, Nassar Companies . Steve Schimpke, Director of Client & Real Estate Strategy, Cunningham-Limp · Moderator: R.J. King, Editor, DBusiness Magazine |
Panel 4: Industrial |
3:35 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. | Break |
3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. i Session 8: Panel 5: Office Reimagining workspaces through Office Conversions, Capitalizing on Government Incentives and the Cost of Capital Sponsored by Bernard Financial & Farbman Our final panel of the day features a fully integrated CRE firm, a CRE risk mitigation expert, and the economic catalyst from the city of Detroit and a public-private CRE leader focused on the office market. Panelists include: · Dennnis Bernard, Founder & President, Bernard Financial Group . Patty Cosman, Managing Director, Hylant . Kevin Johnson, President & CEO, DEGC . Eric Larson, President, Downtown Detroit Partnership · Moderator: Andy Gutman, President, Farbman Group |
Panel 5: Office |
4:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
4:40 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Cocktail Reception |
Interested in sponsoring this event? Email us at derek@derekdickow.com