5TH ANNUAL
Future Of Office Summit

20 March 2025 | Pullman Melbourne Albert Park

CONFERENCE/EXHIBITION/NETWORKING

Exploring the latest market forecasts, investment opportunities, valuations and leasing strategies for Australia’s office sector

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ABOUT THE EVENT

Exploring the latest market forecasts, investment opportunities, valuations and leasing strategies for Australia’s office sector

What does the future hold for Australia’s commercial office sector? Given significant and irreversible changes in demand, vacancy rates have climbed to 14.6%, which is 4.2% above the historical average. But recent reports indicate that vacancy rates have peaked and are tightening. Is the office market on track for a rebound, and if so, what are the factors driving this? And what are the implications for office landlords, investors, developers and tenants?

These are the big questions which will be addressed at the 5th annual Future of Office Space Summit.

Join 200+ key executives involved in Australia’s office market – from landlords and investors – valuation, leasing and advisory specialists – construction and fit out firms – and large tenants and property managers— to discuss all the key trends and opportunities shaping the office market today and into the future.

Key themes being covered include:

Office year in review: Analysing the markets, assets and landlord strategies that have been generating the best returns.
Repositioning assets: Learn how unloved grade B/C assets are being refurbished and repositioned to attract tenants and unlock value.
Occupancy insights: Understanding how an office is used and what it provides to an organisation is complex. We’ll examine demand shifts, success stories across sectors, and the impact of hybrid models on occupancy and operational strategies.
Sustainable retrofits: Hear how building owners are meeting tenant demand and reducing operational costs within their office buildings through electrification.

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Summit

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Future of Office Space Summit

Meet Our Speakers

Peter Menagazzo

CEO, Investa

Fiona Denison

Head of Asset Management | Office, Charter Hall

Anjana Moran

Senior Portfolio Manager, Aware Super

Sarah Dowd

Senior Investment Manager, Cbus Property

Simon O’Brien

Director, Property Transformation, NAB

Letitia Hope

Head of Property Experience, ISPT

Matthew Brown

Group Executive, Head of Funds Management, ISPT

Stace Fishwick

Executive Director-Commercial, Property and Development NSW

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The 2025 Program

The Future of Office Space Summit 2025 will bring together senior leaders to discuss the following topics:

Key office market insights: what to expect in 2025
Economic and office market outlook
Office development and construction outlook
Office leasing demand outlook
Office capital market outlook
Hybrid work and office occupancy outlook by capital city
The Great Office Upgrade: tenant relocation
Opportunities to convert vacant office spaces into other assets

This is where they’ll come to:

Explore prevailing investment trends in the Australian office market, including how evolving market dynamics impact the underwriting and financing of office space
Understand if demand is still centred around 'prime' office assets, and if there is demand outside of that category
Learn where price will go for offices based on available data
Gain insights into upgrading office spaces with sustainability, longevity and quality in mind to attract tenants and investors
Learn more about leasing trends within the office sector and what amenities tenants want

................and much more

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THURSDAY | 20 MARCH 2024

Conference Schedule

08:30

Registration & welcome coffee

09:00

Welcome Remarks

09:05

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Vanessa Rader, Head of Research, Ray White Commercial

OFFICE MARKET OUTLOOK

09:20

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADRESS: Who’s going to win the return-to-office tug of war?

There’s a colossal tug of war happening right now in many workplaces around the country. At one end of the rope are employers. At the other end, holding on for dear life, are individual employees picking up the slack for the first time. And in the centre, providing all the tension, are lofty questions about where, when and how we should work. The implications for office owners are huge. In this revealing presentation, Tim Duggan will unpack the latest research from dozens of experts globally to make some educated predictions about the future.

Tim Duggan, Bestselling Author, Work Backwards

09:40

Office Leaders Panel: Examining the trends, opportunities and challenges for the office sector

In this session, market leaders discuss how they are navigating the profound structural changes induced by the pandemic in the office sector, the strategies they are adopting and predictions for the year ahead.

Are employer strategies for encouraging workers back into the office working and what are the implications for office demand, utilisation and design?

Examining the generational differences in Australian workplaces, how they interact and what this means for office use

Will the shift out of secondary into prime and premium locations continue and what does this mean for older building stock and new developments?

Evaluating the benefits of the green office – how can sustainable practices and a focus on the environment satisfy tenants’ demands and cut costs?

Panellists

Peter Menagazzo, CEO, Investa

Anjana Moran, Senior Portfolio Manager, Aware Super

Stace Fishwick, Executive Director-Commercial, Property and Development NSW

Fiona Denison, Head of Asset Management | Office, Charter Hall

Micah Schulz, Fund Manager, Australian Prime Property Fund Commercial, Lendlease

Facilitated by

Benjamin Martin-Henry, Head of Real Assets Research – Pacific, MSCI

10:20

SPECIAL ADRESS: Acquiring, repositioning and revamping office towers to elevate tenant appeal and provide opportunities for investors

The flight to quality provides an alluring incentive for investors to direct their capital towards refurbishing and reviving office towers into attractive new assets that draw greater occupancy. In this session, learn how existing assets can be repositioned in order to unlock renewed value and potential growth.

The implications of the ‘flight to quality’ for non-premium office assets

Allocating capital strategically to ensure optimal leasing appeal

Assessing technology and innovation transforming the sector

Evaluating the role ESG plays within Quintessential’ s portfolio management

Andrew Borger, Chief Investment Officer, Quintessential

10:40

Morning refreshments & networking break

11:20

INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES

In this session we bring landlords, developers, tenants, architects, fit-out companies, and tech firms together in small focus groups to talk through the most pressing issues facing the office real estate sector today. This will be followed by a 2-minute wrap up by table facilitators, summarising the dialogue at each of their tables.

Round Table 1: Thriving in the age of high cost: Optimising office development amidst soaring construction and input costs.

Mark Tait, Group Executive, Head of Development, Investa

Round Table 2: AI in Office Markets: Will AI fundamentally shift the way we interact with the workplace?

Tom Broderick, Head of Office and Capital Markets Research, CBRE

Round Table 3: Flex Space: Navigating partnership and management agreements

Round Table 4: The next generation workplace: what elements are key

Tanya Lanycia, Director – Commercial Development, Property and Development NSW

Stace Fishwick, Executive Director-Commercial, Property and Development NSW

Round Table 5: Key factors influencing tenant decision-making in the current office landscape

Round Table 6: Current trends reshaping the future of office space utilisation and design

Round Table 7: Leasing trends within the office sector and what amenities tenants want

Round Table 8: Attracting and retaining tenants through building refurbishment and asset repositioning

CAPITAL MARKETS OUTLOOK

12:00

National office market report

In this session, David Cannington will explore the latest demand, valuation, occupancy and broader trends shaping the future of Australian office space. David leads Investa’s property research team, working with investment, development and operations teams to deliver the latest market intelligence.

Unpacking the impacts of macroeconomic conditions and record migration levels on Australia’s office markets and future supply
What do recent office market trends mean for landlords and tenants
How has demand for office space changed post-pandemic and the implications on future markets

David Cannington, Head of Research and Strategy, Investa

12:20

CAPITAL MARKETS PANEL: Expert predictions and recommendations for 2025

Following on from the above session, our experts examine the impact of high interest rates, capital costs, and vacancy, which have proved significant headwinds for asset performance and transactions since the pandemic. Many, however, see a light at the end of the tunnel, and perceive an opportunity to capitalise on undervalued stock. In this panel, we examine strategies that are offering value for office assets today, and into the future.

Analysing the impact of the current economic cycle on office market capital flows and returns

Navigating downturn – how to shore up and right size portfolios to be resilient in a turbulent market

Recalculating asset valuations and what this will mean for portfolio composition

Examining the role of non-premium grade stock in portfolios and how landlords can enhance their return on these investments

Panellists

Matthew Brown, Group Executive, Head of Funds Management, ISPT

Sarah Dowd, Senior Investment Manager, Cbus Property

Andrew Borger, Chief Investment Officer, Quintessential

Tony Massaro, Partner, KordaMentha Real Estate

Facilitated By:

David Cannington, Head of Research and Strategy, Investa

13:00

Lunch & networking break

INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

14:00

CASE STUDY: Consolidating and rightsizing your portfolio: Effective strategies to ensure optimal office utilisation

Following their acquisition of MLC and ANZ’s OnePath P&I in 2020, Insignia Financial saw a rapid increase in both headcount and office space. In this session, Alana Divan reviews Insignia Financial’s office consolidation journey, covering the challenges faced, the successes achieved, and their strategies for the future:

Conducting a comprehensive analysis of strategy by city: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane

Identifying effective consolidation and expansion strategies and examples of each in action
Reviewing the insights and lessons learned from these projects to identify best practices and uncover opportunities for future growth and improvement

Alana Divan, Manager Property Services, Insignia Financial

14:20

INNOVATION TALKS

It’s more important than ever that landlords focus on retaining their tenants. It takes more than just negotiating lease terms to remain competitive. Employees are demanding activated and connected buildings that make them want to come to work, and companies are seeking flexible space options that enable them to scale up or down as needed and provide their workers with flexibility where they work. In this session you’ll hear from 5 innovative companies that are providing strategies and solutions to help landlords attract and retain tenants.

Talk 1: Maximising value from tenant engagement through advanced analytics

Talk 2: Facilities & Building Management

Talk 3: Implementing new tenant amenities

Talk 4: Creating a hospitality-like experience

Talk 5: Asset redevelopment & fit-out

15:00

CASE STUDY: Electrifying 101 Collins St

101 Collins Street has long stood out as one of Melbourne’s most prestigious premium office towers. Beginning in 2022 the team at 101 Collins undertook the daunting task of reducing their scope 1 emissions while maintaining a thriving occupied office tower, switching off their last natural gas boiler in 2024. In this case study, the team behind this feat takes us through their journey and the challenges they faced in the path to net-zero.

Identifying the barriers to efficient electrification

Assessing the feasibility of large scale ESG projects, and their impact on leasing desirability

Analysing the successes, challenges and lessons learned over the course of the project

Selva Thiru, Senior Engineering & Sustainability Manager, 101 Collins Street

15:20

Afternoon refreshments & networking break

TENANT PERSPECTIVES

15:50

CASE STUDY: Landlord-tenant partnerships: reimagining the relationship between owner and occupier

In the past, landlord-tenant relationships were often relegated to lease negotiations and the occasional maintenance request. More and more, however, owner and occupier relationships are becoming more cooperative, constructive and mutually beneficial. In this session, Letitia Hope highlights the way ISPT is working in partnership with their tenants to create an office environment conducive to productivity, conviviality and occupancy.

Gauging the responsibility of landlords in asset fit-out and experiential upgrades

Assessing strategies for greater collaboration, from co-creation workshops to CEO circles

Establishing the importance of good company culture, and the role of space in its promotion
Reviewing strategy: What has worked, what hasn’t, and how will ISPT engage with tenants in the future?

Letitia Hope, Head of Property Experience, ISPT

16:10

TENANT PERSPECTIVES: Recognising the needs of tenants and their employees to facilitate enhanced cooperation and mutual benefits for asset owners

Office tenants are already getting great deals on rent, but many want much more from their landlords. More smart building features, flexible lease terms and decarbonisation strategies are among tenants’ key demands. Are landlords doing enough to meet them and how can the needs and expectations of real estate owners and occupiers be reconciled to create a win-win CRE economy?

Evaluating attendance mandates and their impact on workforce productivity and satisfaction

What’s driving the shift to premium, green and healthy office buildings?

Reviewing the tech transforming the modern office; what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to be done to avoid obsolescence?

Establishing the requirements of space; from floorplates to foyer refurbishment

Moving beyond end of trip facilities and pets in the office: What is the next level of service landlords can provide tenants to justify the commute?

Panellists

Simon O’Brien, Director, Property Transformation, NAB

Alana Divan, Manager Property Services, Insignia Financial

Kate Pilgrim, Managing Director of Victoria and Joint Head of Tenant Representation Victoria, JLL

Tanya Lanycia, Director – Commercial Development, Property and Development NSW

Facilitated By:

Letitia Hope, Head of Property Experience, ISPT

16:50

Cocktail Reception and Networking

18:00

Close of Summit

Event Ticket Price

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE

$875+gst

1 Day Summit Virtual Ticket

Book and pay by 15 November 2024
Access to conference streamed sessions
Session recordings and presentation slides
No access to interactive round table and networking sessions

$1140+gst

1 Day Summit In-person Ticket

Book and pay by 15 November 2024
Access to all conference sessions
Access to networking opportunities
Session recordings and presentation slides

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BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

The Future of Office Space Summit is a Hybrid event. This format combines the traditional face-to-face conference with virtual elements, allowing both in-person and virtual attendees to access the same content and networking opportunities simultaneously.

High quality curated content

With expert sessions and industry leading speakers, delve into expertly curated content that you won’t find anywhere else.

Live and on-demand

Wherever you are at the time of the event, you’ll be in control. You’ll have the ability to consume all the content being delivered at your leisure through either a live stream of the physical event or on-demand.

Time efficient

If you are based outside of Sydney and for whatever reason can’t make it to the event in-person, you can save on travel time and accommodation costs while still networking with global industry professionals.

Business matchmaking live

Take part in intelligently curated meetings with like-minded individuals that share similar interests and challenges from all over the world through our AI powered matchmaking delivered via our virtual platform.

Accessible from all your devices

Get insights and network at your fingertips – all content sessions and networking activities will be accessible from your laptop, tablets or mobile devices.

Engage, interact and influence

Make the most of your experience by being a truly active participant. Whether at the event or attending virtually, you’ll have the ability to ask questions, participate in polls, and share your experience with other attendees via break-out sessions.