The 9th edition of PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES) focused on improving tomorrow's cities

The ninth edition of PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES), the thought leadership platform of PropertyGuru Group (NYSE: PGRU), held in Bangkok in early December focused on the theme “Powering Communities”, and how responsible leaders can build and improve tomorrow’s cities.

The event brought together more than 400 delegates from around the world for an inspiring, insightful hybrid conference and event. Nearly 40 speakers initiated important thought-provoking conversations around the future of communities, business, leisure, and innovation.

This year’s theme aligns with PropertyGuru Group’s vision to power communities to live, work, and thrive in tomorrow’s cities. During his welcome keynote, PropertyGuru Group CEO & Managing Director, Hari V. Krishnan says, “As a responsible market leader, we strive towards empowering everyone in their property journey to make confident property decisions through relevant content, actionable insights, and world-class service.”

The first segment of ARES 2023, “Live: Future of Communities”, started with a keynote address on new economic drivers and the outlook for Asia in 2024 from Sumana Rajarethnam, Director, South-East Asia, Economist Intelligence Corporate Network. The segment also featured a keynote from Kenya-based Dr. Edlam Abera Yemeru, Chief of Knowledge and Innovation Branch at UN-Habitat, on adoptive communities and the creation of SDG Cities.

David Gissen, Author, Designer, Educator, Consultant / Professor of Architecture and Urban History, Parsons School of Design, then delivered the International Keynote on rethinking buildings and the concept of the one-storey city.

The second segment, “Work: Future of Business”, kicked off with Chelsea Perino, Managing Director, Global Marketing & Communications, The Executive Centre, who delivered a talk on the creative evolution of workspaces and hybrid work arrangements.

The first panel discussion of the day was led by Manav Kamboj, Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director, Fintech at PropertyGuru Group. The tech panel delved on the use of A.I. in design, data, digital twins, and metaverse blockchain technologies. The three speakers were: Jirayut “Topp” Srupsrisopa, Founder & Group CEO, Bitkub Capital Group Holdings Co., Ltd.; Prof. Jason Pomeroy, Founding Principal, Pomeroy Studio & Pomeroy Academy / Fellow, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership; and Wenhui Lim, Director, SPARK Architects.

This was followed by a presentation from PropertyGuru For Business, showcasing the latest investments in data science to develop products and solutions for enterprise customers and partners in Southeast Asian. PropertyGuru Group’s Jeremy Williams, Managing Director, Marketplaces, and Shyn Yee Ho-Strangas, Managing Director, Data and Software Solutions, discussed unlocking value for businesses. Dr. Nai Jia Lee, Head of Real Estate Intelligence, Digital and Software Solutions, later talked about urbanism and the liveability index. The session ended with Bob Koppes, Director of Strategies, who presented using payment and mobility data analytics.

The afternoon sessions opened the third segment of ARES 2023, titled “Thrive: Future of Leisure”, with a virtual presentation from Malaysia’s David Chong, COO of REHDA Institute, who covered building affordability in megacities. The segment continued with panel discussions on destination dining; the rise of pet culture in urban areas; and demographic changes reshaping property markets.

The panel speakers included Dr. Aladdin D. Rillo, Senior Economic Advisor, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA); Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Former International Journalist (ex-Reuters); Christine Li, Head of Research, Asia Pacific, Knight Frank; Colin Chee, Creator & Creative Director, Never Too Small; Didi Almeyda, Author, Former Journalist & Indonesia’s Animal Whisperer; Jessica Zafra, Award-winning Author, Journalist, Animal Welfare Advocate; Keiran Gibb, Founder and Director, Monogic; Michelle Martin, Broadcaster & Talk Show Host, Money FM 89.3; Pippa Woodhead, Head of Podcasts, Tigerhall; and the husband-and-wife team of Tanjira “Fay” Tragoolvongse, Owner & Manager, Cadence by Dan Bark / Caper by Dan Bark, and Chef Dan Bark.

Andrea Savage, Co-CEO of A Life B Design, a renowned interior designer, and former HGTV Asia presenter, jointly delivered the Design Keynote on the universal language of spaces and transformative experiences with Cameron Richards, Founder & CEO, CPR Vision Management.

As chairperson of ARES, Stephen Oehme, Value Management Specialist & Sustainability Advocate / Managing Director, Quantum, joined in virtually via video feed from COP28 in Dubai to talk about the latest in sustainable development goals, inclusive approaches to development, and the decentralisation of cities.

This year, Shane Bhatla, Associate Director, Equal Asia Foundation, delivered the Expert Talk on inclusive language in real estate for minorities and people with disabilities, closing the third segment.

The final segment of the summit, “Thrive: The Future of Innovation”, opened with a keynote from India’s Vinu Daniel, Founder of Wallmakers. The climate-responsive architect, who was recently named as one of TIME100 Next and delivered a well-received TED2023 talk last April, was presented the PropertyGuru Visionary Award at ARES 2023 for his sustainable designs using mud and debris.

Colin Chee, creator and founder of the popular web channel, Never Too Small, who won last year’s Visionary Award, returned to the ARES stage to present a case study on interior design that repurposes waste from construction and demolition sites. The case study included preview clips from his “Wonderful Waste” limited series.

The fourth segment included The Leaders Panel discussion on multi-sector real estate, industry resilience, and challenges in sustainable development with Cyndy Tan Jarabata, President, TAJARA Leisure and Hospitality Group; Hang Dang, Managing Director, CBRE Vietnam; Rita Chow, Founder & Chief Business Officer, Sunshine PR (China); Stephen Pimbley, Founding Partner & Director, SPARK Architects; and moderator Marco Lobregat, Asia Editor, Bridges / International Director, Synergy Media Specialists.

Ornpaka (Tong) Vudhikosit, Senior Industry Manager (Travel, Real Estate, and eCommerce), Google Thailand, concluded the fourth segment with an expert talk on the future of digital innovation.

Following the summit, distinguished participants and guests took part in the ARES VIP Cocktail Party: Celebrating Power Women in Real Estate. This event honouring female industry leaders who embody the spirit of “live, work, thrive” presented the ARES Power Women for a second year.

The invitation-only party, which was sponsored by PropertyGuru For Business, was a highlight of the PropertyGuru Week and celebrated the outstanding achievements of six exceptional women leaders in the real estate sector, acknowledging their significant contributions and influence as leaders in the industry.

This year’s ARES Power Women honourees hailing from Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia and the UK were announced by Shyn together with Disha Goenka, PropertyGuru’s Chief Marketing Officer. Each woman received a token from PropertyGuru For Business.

“Live”: Andrea Savage, Celebrity interior designer, HGTV / Co-CEO and Creative Director, A Life By Design;
Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments Limited / Chair, Corporate Advisory Board, World Green Building Council

“Work”:
Chelsea Perino, Global Director, The Executive Centre, Future of Work;
Joanne Kua, Group CEO, KSK Group

“Thrive”: Coco Liu, Chief Regional Officer, HLB International;
Hang Dang, Managing Director, CBRE Vietnam.

Wrapping up PropertyGuru Week, Colin Chee, the recipient of the Visionary of the Year Award at the Asia Real Estate Summit 2022, showcased his documentary series "Wonderful Waste" from Never Too Small.

For more information, visit: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.