Industry leaders are getting ready to gather in Vancouver for the Connect Alternative Real Estate investment conference.

The first-time event will be held Thursday on Level 25 of Deloitte Summit, located at 410 West Georgia Street.

Sessions will include a special presentation from Prakash Venkat, a Deloitte property-valuation specialist and a panel discussion on how industry leaders are navigating macroeconomic headwinds, evolving demographics and changing regulation to capitalize on value and opportunities in such alternative sectors as seniors housing, self-storage, cold storage, student housing, hospital and other alternative asset classes.

In another panel discussion, leaders will offer their views on how to close deal amid demands for creativity and collaboration among investors, lenders and brokers. Also, Derek Fluker, Wesgroup’s chief investment officer will provide a legislative update in a special presentation.

Participants will include Andrew Kirkham, managing director for Colliers in Vancouver; Sitings Realty CEO and Managing Partner Stephen Knight, who is also a shareholder in Altea; Anegelo Lamanna, vice-president of national real estate advisory at CMLS; Robert Madsen, president of the Canadian Self-Storage Association and U-Lock Mini Storage; Jonathan Turnbull, managing director and head of Canada at Harrison Street; and Stephen Vermette, the Bank of Montreal’s senior managing director and regional market manager of CRE finance for Western Canada.

Deloitte is the event’s official host, while Colliers, Harrison Street and Siting are also sponsoring the event.