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The 10th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit (ARES), the thought leadership platform of PropertyGuru Group (NYSE: PGRU), gathered experts and thought leaders to discuss the intersecting issues moving and shaking the real estate industry, including technology, design, business development, economics, and more
Themed “Shaping the Aspirations of Future Cities,” ARES 2024 attracted more than 300 delegates to The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok on 12 December 2024 for a series of insightful discourses, with around 30 speakers from around the world participating in talks, keynotes, and panel discussions. The 2024 Summit is thematically segmented into Building Future Communities; Powering Innovative Businesses; and Embracing Shared Prosperity.
The Summit showcased keynote addresses from leading personages who provided invaluable insights into urban living, economic trends, and the life-changing potential of real estate, among others.
Returning this year was Sumana Rajarethnam, director for South-East Asia at The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, who provided an in-depth, data-driven keynote on the Asian economy, contextualising the region’s growth opportunities and challenges into the next year.
Pop superstar, actor, and creator Golf Pichaya Nitipaisalkul humanised the summit with a keynote that resonated with the universal aspirations of city dwellers and shared his journey to finding his dream home.
Stephen Oehme, chairperson of the Summit, value management specialist, sustainability advocate, and managing director of Quantum, delivered a message on the global outlook for Asia Pacific.
Complementing the keynote addresses, the Summit’s panel discussions offered diverse perspectives on pivotal topics. Experts joined Dr. Nai Jia Lee, head of real estate intelligence at PropertyGuru Group, in a panel discussion defining future homes: Anton Wormann, creator of Anton in Japan, entrepreneur, and real estate advisor; David Chong, chief operating officer of REHDA Institute (Malaysia); and Muhammad Adhiguna Sosiawan, CMO and director of architecture at Mas Group (Indonesia).
In addition to future homes, the Summit provided an analysis on the branded residences sector. Bill Barnett, founder and managing director of C9 Hotelworks, moderated a panel that included hospitality stalwarts Gianfranco Bianchi, general manager for Asia Pacific at The One Atelier; Leanne Reddie, chief development officer of GHM Hotels; Penny Trinh, vice-president for mixed-use development at Marriott International; and Saowarin Chanprakaisi, vice-president for business development at The Ascott Limited.
The influence of culture, communities, and built spaces also took centre stage with a panel discussion among Wendy McEwan, VP for transformation and chief of staff at the Office of the CEO, PropertyGuru Group; Alex Bentley, digital creator; Chelsea Perino, managing director of global communications of The Executive Centre; Kristin Thorsteins, founder and co-managing partner of Portman Investments; and Michael Jones, certified ergonomist and wellness coach at Pain-Free Me Studio.
Leading thinkers in architecture and design also shared their insights in a panel discussion on designing for impact. Moderated by Stephen Pimbley, founder partner and director of SPARK Architects, the panel featured Colin Chee, creator and creative director of Never Too Small; Jessica Bianca Sy, VP and head of design, innovation, and strategy at SMDC; Patrick Keane, founder of Enter Projects Asia; and Shao-wei Huang, associate director of Zaha Hadid Architects.
The final panel discussion tackled the convergence of culture and innovation in giga-cities within the Middle East, with David Johnson, CEO of Delivering Asia, moderating. Panellists included James A. Kaplan, CEO of Destination Capital; Khalid Otain, managing partner of HLB Middle East; and Stephen Oehme.
For more information, visit: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.
