ICSC’s Researcher Awards For Outstanding Service
The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is pleased to announce that five research professionals have been awarded the ICSC Research Award for Outstanding Service for 2014. ICSC established the research award to recognize industry professionals who have demonstrated a significant commitment and contribution to ICSC’s research programs. The award winners have had an instrumental role in ICSC’s research, including, but not be limited to; writing, planning, speaking at ICSC Research events, advising, and fostering industry benchmarking through data sharing. This year, ICSC is also recognizing John T. Riordan for his lifetime of work within the organization and the industry, and is awarding him the first-ever honorary Research Award.
“Since the inception of the award, 25 industry researchers have recieved the ICSC Researcher Award to acknowledge their significant contribution to ICSC and the shopping-center industry,” said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and senior vice president of research for ICSC. “Today, five additional members join that prestigious global group of researchers who have gone the extra step in sharing their time, talents and efforts with the ICSC community. I am pleased to acknowledge their contributions,” he said.
ICSC’s Research Award for Outstanding Service has been endorsed by ICSC’s five research advisory group chairs and vice chairs. This award was established in 2007, following approval by five research committees—the North American, Canadian, European, Mexican and Asian-Pacific.
The recipients of this year’s awards are: Michael Baker, prinicipal, Baker Consulting, Sydney, Australia; Robert Berg, former president, Berg Marketing & Research, Mexico; Josep Camacho Cabiscol, MRICS, MSc, PhD, group economist, Eurocommercial Shopping Centers, London; Chris Igwe, head of retail France and senior director European retail leasing, CBRE, Paris, France; and Gary Weber, owner, Weber Realty Research LLC, Dallas, Texas. [Editor’s note: Biographical information for each of the recipients can be found starting on page two.]
2014 ICSC Researcher Award Winners
Michael Baker is principal of Baker Consulting, based in Sydney, Australia. He helps developers, retailers, investors, and local governments maximize the economic and social value of retail space. Prior to becoming a consultant, Mr. Baker was assistant director, then director of research at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) between 1998 and 2004. He was founding vice-chair of ICSC’s Asia-Pacific Research Group, and is an emeritus member of the North American Research Advisory Task Force.
Robert Berg founded Berg Marketing & Research in 1974, one of the leading firms for feasibility study research for shopping center development in Mexico. The firm is one of the most experienced companies in market research, public opinion surveys, and marketing consulting. Mr. Berg began his career as an account manager at International Research Associates (INRA) in 1964, and went on to establish the Agencia de Corresponales Americanos (ACA), a media monitoring, planning and consumer research firm.
Josep Camacho Cabiscol, MRICS, MSc, PhD, has been the Group Economist at Eurocommercial Properties since 2004, and is responsible for research and delivering strategic advice on economic developments, new investment opportunities and management/leasing of the group’s existing portfolio. Prior to joining Eurocommercial Properties, he was a group economic research analyst at Grosvenor, focusing on property forecasting, the European economy and property research in the Asia-Pacific region. He is an active member in ICSC, and has been part of the ICSC European Research Group since 2008, and is currently co-chair.
Chris Igwe is head of retail France and Senior Director EMEA for CBRE. He has been the advisor for many brands including AUDI City, Calvin Klein, Costco, Espirit, Hard Rock Café, Michael Kors, Nike, TUMI and many others. In 2002, Mr. Igwe formed Chris Igwe International, successfully repositioning and growing brands across Europe. Prior to that, he was European Real Estate Director for Foot Locker and Gap, and in 2000, he was ICSC’s Managing Director Europe. He is an active member of ICSC’s European Research Group.
John T. Riordan joined ICSC in 1982, and was named President and CEO in 1986. During his time with ICSC, membership quadrupled, and programs and services expanded into new and innovative areas, many of them educational. He pioneered ICSC’s Alliance programs that continue to bring together the public and private sector for economic development. In 2001, Mr. Riordan stepped down from his 15-year term as president and CEO, leaving a legacy that is unmatched. In 2003, ICSC’s professional development school was renamed as the John T. Riordan School for Professional Development. Mr. Riordan was the Thomas G. Eastman Chairman of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Real Estate until 2003. He received a lifetime achievement award from the International Center for Urban Economic Development.
Gary Webber has more than 35 years experience of real estate research, and in 2008 he established Weber Realty Research, LLC. In the years preceding the formation of his own company, he was director of area research for JC Penney, supporting the retailer’s expansion program. Mr. Weber is also currently a partner in Right Site Systems, a solutions provider to the banking sector. He is an Emeritus member of the ICSC North America Research Task Force, and has served as program chair, panelist and moderator at ICSC’s Spring Convention (now RECon) and the Fall Research Conference.
About ICSC
Founded in 1957, ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry. Its more than 63,000 members in over 100 countries include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, retailers and brokers, as well as academics and public officials. As the global industry trade association, ICSC links with more than 25 national and regional shopping center councils throughout the world. For more information, visit www.icsc.org.
