Faith Hope Consolo, Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group

Faith Hope Consolo, Chairman Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group 575 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 [email protected] 212-418-2000 What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2010? Launching the Women's Special Interest Group program at ICSC, a for-women-only series of education sessions held in conjunction with ICSC meetings around the United States. Our first meeting in Las Vegas drew hundreds of women seeking to improve their skills, knowledge and relationships, and our regional meetings in Boston, Orlando, San Diego, Chicago, Atlanta and New York drew equally large and enthusiastic audiences. I'm looking forward to expanding the program around the U.S. and internationally in 2011! What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2010? There were actually several because we introduced a number of world-renowned companies to the U.S., including DeLaneau and ToyWatch. But the most notable project this year has to be the national roll-out of Italian children's fashion brand MonnaLisa. In addition to expanding its flagship presence in the city with a new store on Madison Ave., we arranged stores on Oak St. in Chicago and Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Moreover, there are additional units in the works on the West Coast for 2011. What predictions do you have for commercial real estate in 2011? Retail across country is steadily improving. But in New York City, the recovery is moving at a much faster pace. And as the main corridors such as Fifth Ave. and Madison Ave. fill up, side streets will become attractive. Also look for interest to increase in the outer boroughs, the High Line, Meatpacking and Third Ave. The consumers have always been here, from our homegrown shopaholics to this year's 49 million tourists. In 2011, more deals will be made, vacancies will continue to fill up and rents will begin to rise toward pre-recession rates. What are some of your New Year's Resolutions? To further internationalize our business, and bring more retailers from emerging parts of the world to the United States. To continue working at a national level to introduce exciting retail brands to a wider variety of markets; To expand the Special Interest Group roundtables for ICSC and offer more networking and learning opportunities for people in our industry. Maintain current efforts on behalf of industry associations, such as NYCREW, AREW and CREW.