NAIOP South Florida, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, kicked off its 2019 programming with its annual Economic Outlook panel.

Hosted by NAIOP South Florida Board of Directors President Darcie Lunsford, executive vice president for Butters Realty & Management, the panel offered insightful commentary from Raymond James Financial Chief Economist Scott Brown, Brookwood Group Senior Vice President Mark Troen and Wells Fargo Senior Economist and Managing Director Mark Vitner.

Wells Fargo Senior Economist and Managing Director Mark Vitner, Brookwood Group Senior Vice President Mark Troen, Raymond James Financial Chief Economist Scott Brown, Butters Realty & Management Executive Vice President Darcie Lunsford

Panelists shared their perspectives on the state of the market, offered economic forecasts for 2019 and gave their predictions for the effects of the elections in 2020.

“I think there’s a very good chance that in the second half of 2020, we’ll see heightened uncertainty because of the upcoming election,” said Vitner. “I really don’t see a scenario where we don’t have another close election like we did in 2016 and we’re probably going to see 25 or 30 Democrats running for president. So the first half of 2020 – that may grab a lot of attention, but I don’t think the uncertainty will settle until the second half of the year. And it’s quite possible that we are going to have very diametrically opposed economic policies. We could have somebody from the very far left run against Trump, in which case the consequences for the economy would be pretty significant.”

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance President and CEO Bob Swindell, Wells Fargo Senior Vice President Melissa Curry

For more information about NAIOP South Florida and upcoming events, visit naiopsfl.org.

About NAIOP South Florida

NAIOP South Florida is the largest chapter of NAIOP in the state. With more than 350 members representing constituents in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties, the chapter is the leading commercial real estate development organization in the region. NAIOP supports commercial real estate professionals with advocacy, education and business opportunities and connects its members through a powerful North American network. For more information, visit naiopsfl.org.

About NAIOP

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial, retail and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP comprises 19,000 members in North America. NAIOP advances responsible commercial real estate development and advocates for effective public policy. For more information, visit naiop.org.

Stigliano Commercial Real Estate President Reese Stigliano, Truss Holdings Regional Senior Vice President Ken Silberling

Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart Shareholder and Partner Heidi Davis Knapik, Bridge Development Partners Vice President Brian Latta

NAIOP South Florida Executive Director Jules Morgan, CBRE Senior Vice President Harry Tangalakis, Wells Fargo Senior Economist and Managing Director Mark Vitner, Brookwood Group Senior Vice President Mark Troen, Raymond James Financial Chief Economist Scott Brown, Butters Realty & Management Executive Vice President Darcie Lunsford

FirstPointe Advisors Analyst Jake Koppelman, NAIOP South Florida Marketing and Accounting Manager Alba Garcia

(L to R; photos courtesy of NAIOP South Florida)