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In MKE Forward’s 2020 wrap up episode Colliers | Wisconsin market experts, Matt Fahey, Bill Langhoff and Josh Minkin, review the challenges and successes of their respective sectors from the past year.  Despite the challenges, the Office, Industrial and Retail markets all proved that the markets can be resilient and expectations can be exceeded with a thoughtful and intentional mindset. Tune in and listen to our year in review and the aspiration we have for the year ahead.

Where we work and how we work have changed trajectory drastically since March. Office space, specifically how we build and operate within space is a fascinating topic that is ever evolving. More and more, furniture designers are a key player in how a finished space is used by its occupants. On this episode of MKE Forward, listen in to hear our conversation with two individuals who are experiencing these shifts first hand.  We are fortunate to welcome New York based Dennis Murphy and Annette Barrelet of Teknion, a Toronto based global contract furniture designer and manufacture. Both work with clients all over the country and share the trends they are seeing, what companies around the country are doing and what trends they expect to continue both during a socially distant world and after. Listen in to hear the highlights of their conversation in just 15 minutes.  

On October 22, the west side of the Hoan Bridge was officially lit. At first look, the lights make for a pretty picture or a unique urban infrastructure project.  But those who were behind the lights will tell you it is so much more. Light the Hoan is a symbol for our community and our city. It is bridge between cultures, backgrounds and experiences meant to Shine a Light on the areas in which, as a community, we can do more to come together to strengthen our city. Listen in to hear from two of the men who made Lighting the Hoan a reality, Michael Hostad and Greg Marshall. Hear from them the things that you might not see at first, but what drove them and their partners to move forward with this project and how this is just the beginning.  

From memorable advertisements and marketing, to best-in-class customer service and selection, Wheel & Sprocket is Wisconsin’s most iconic bicycle shop. This week we sit down with is Noel Kegel as he gives an inside look at this larger than life brand. Noel’s father Chris was hired as a bicycle mechanic two weeks after their opening in 1973, and over the course of the next 16 years, worked his way up to sole owner and president. Fast forward to today, Wheel & Sprocket operates 9 locations throughout Wisconsin & Northern Illinois, and Noel, along with his sister Amelia, are the co-owners of this second-generation family company. Tune in as Noel shares the history of Wheel & Sprocket, explains the recent national bike shortage, and gives a look into their new Bay View headquarters. 

While many property types are facing uncertainty, industrial product nationwide seems to be persisting, and in some cases, even exceeding expectations. To gain insight on how the industrial market has changed and adapted during the ongoing pandemic, MKE Forward is talking with Senior Vice President of Acquisitions for STAG Industrial, Brad Sweeney. With 91.8 million square feet across 38 states, the team at STAG Industrial has a bird’s-eye view of the events, trends and activity impacting properties in the Wisconsin market and across the country. Listen in to hear about the current state of the industrial world, as well as how the SE Wisconsin market stacks up on a national scale. 

In the third part of our series on race, one of our community’s leading leader joins MKE Forward for this important conversation. Keith Stanley, Executive Director of Near West Side Partners shares the integral role his family had on his journey and also key experiences throughout his life when he has been exposed to new things. While for some, exposure to new things is nice to have, for Keith, and many others in our community, it can make all the difference. Keith credits the success of programs like the ACRE program to the exposure they bring to individuals who otherwise would not be able to achieve certain milestones, not because they can’t, but because they don’t know these milestones and opportunities even exist. His experience and passion for his community have translated into his work for the Near West Side Partners (NWSP), making it a model for future neighborhoods and communities. Keith details the experiences and work of the NWSP and more in the latest episode of MKE Forward. 

Our nation and our community are hurting. Over the next few episodes, we are taking a step back to have a difficult conversation about race on MKE Forward. We enter this conversation not because we have the answers but because we want and need to listen and learn. It’s too important not too. Our first guest is Michael Emem, founder of Emem Group and an important leader in the Milwaukee real estate industry. Michael, an ACRE and UWM graduate, is a black commercial real estate professional in an industry dominated by whites. Michael walks us through his journey, why and how he started out in real estate and his experience in the industry. He also discusses and explains some of the historical mechanisms that helped create the racial divide that exists today. 

Milwaukee’s downtown halted in mid-march. Now almost three months later, many are asking will downtown ever be the same? What will dining look like and when? While we don’t have all the answers, we at Colliers, along with our guests from Milwaukee Downtown BID #21, are eager to do our part. Hear from Beth Weirick and Erica Chang of BID 21 about what they have done through the pandemic to continue to serve our downtown community. From surveys to an exciting new challenge, Comeback Cuisine, that aims to support and bolster downtown restaurants and community outreach we cover it all on this episode. Listen in to hear actionable steps about how you can step up to the challenge and help support downtown businesses. 

To kick off year two, we are taking MKE Forward on the virtual road and are headed to Madison! The relationship between Madison and Milwaukee has not always been smooth, but this episode looks at how we can continue to connect the Wisconsin’s cities, especially as it relates to tech. Joining us to share his insight and experience is tech entrepreneur and former Madison City Councilperson, Scott Resnick. Listen in to hear about Scott’s journey, his take on how Madison has become a tech town and how Wisconsin is stronger with a robust network between Madison and Milwaukee. 

He may not be the most famous or well-known person in a room, but if you are lucky enough to be in the same room as him, you will be drawn to this guest. What is it that draws you in? His uncanny ability to tell a story. Lyle Landowski and Scott Welsh are joined by Greg Marshall, Chief Storyteller at Milwaukee based CI Design, for this episode of MKE Forward. Whether it’s a personal message, the story of a community, neighborhood or city, stories are powerful when conveying a message and Greg shares his insights on why this is and how storytelling became his passion. 

You’ve heard the name from events like the Night Market and Urban Island Beach Party, but what else do you know about social architecture agency Newaukee? From its beginnings 11 years ago, to where it is today, the impact Newaukee has had on our city extends far beyond its signature events. Jeremy Fojut joins MKE Forward to talk about Newaukee’s journey and how the group continues to evolve and adapt. Hear about the Beacon Project in Walker’s Point and what Newaukee has planned moving forward. 

From news stories, articles and webinars, it’s hard not to be inundated with COVID-19. But when it comes to how it impacts commercial real estate, specifically in southeastern Wisconsin, do you have a sense what the industry is seeing and experiencing on a large scale? Industry experts Andy Hunt (Marquette University), Tracy Johnson (CARW) and Jim Villa (NAIOP Wisconsin) join MKE Forward to discuss what they are hearing from YOU and have an open conversation about what that means for US. Join us for findings from the industry flash poll, special insights and much more. 

Across the United States, COVID-19 has drastically changed our lives. Since March 2020 working from home with our children, virtual meetings and nights in have become the norm. On this episode of MKE Forward, the team sits down with Todd McLees, founder of Pendio Group and an internationally known strategist and speaker, who has spent recent weeks uncovering how to maintain productivity with a suddenly remote workforce. Listen in to hear Todd’s advice and to understand how both you and your company can stay productive and make the most of your time at home. 

If you are looking for someone to dub “Mr. Milwaukee”, this guest is definitely a top contender. From devoting his time to arguably the best steakhouse in the city, giving back to community through multiple boards and organizations, and frequenting his children's wrestling tournaments, Omar Shaikh is constantly elevating our city. While Omar’s impact on our city is vast, most recently, he has been instrumental in phase three of the Convention Center expansion. Omar talks about his experiences, as well as those he has met and worked with along the way in the latest episode of MKE Forward. 

The latest episode of MKE Forward is all about pushing boundaries and embracing creativity and change. Hear from Tim Gokhman of New Land Enterprises on the trajectory of the development company and how they strive to step up to the challenge and solve problems creatively. From Crossroads Collective, “Milwaukee’s Foodiest Food Hall” on Farwell, to Ascent MKE, Milwaukee’s first Mass Timber project that is currently under construction, New Land Enterprises has and will continue to change Milwaukee’s landscape. Listen in to hear about how New Land Enterprises is not only bringing mass timber to Milwaukee but also creating the tallest timber structure in the Western Hemisphere. 

When it comes to supporting big box or local businesses, it’s not either or, it’s and. 85% of businesses are micro/small businesses, and helping them succeed in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin’s Women’s Business Initiative Corporation. On MKE Forward’s first episode of 2020, the team sat down with WWBIC’s President and Chief Visionary Officer, Wendy Baumann. Under the leadership of Wendy, the economic development corporation provides critical resources to individuals who face barriers to accessing critical resources needed to open, strengthen or expand their business. Listen in to hear about the great work WWBIC is doing in moving our city and state forward.  

On the last episode of 2019, MKE Forward is brought to you LIVE from PodFest MKE 2019. The team was joined by Reginald Baylor and Melissa Courtney from Reginald Baylor Studios, a brand icon that seeks to serve the creative industry culture. Throughout the conversation there is an intentionality around terminology and mission that is undeniable. It is through this intentionality that Reginald and Michelle aim to change the conversation around the creative industry in Milwaukee and beyond. 

Juli Kaufmann, one of the co-developers of Sherman Phoenix didn’t envision herself in real estate. Instead, her focus has always been her community. Sherman Phoenix is a community project that bucks the traditional real estate model and had it not been for the community responsiveness, relationships, and crowdfunding, the project might not have happened. For the various tenants and stakeholders, the road that led them to Sherman Phoenix is very different. On this episode of MKE Forward, the team sits down with Juli, and one of the tenants, TrueMan McGee owner of Funky Fresh Spring Rolls, to discuss their journey to Sherman Phoenix and what the experience and opportunity has meant to them.

Over 800,000 rides taken, 90,000 miles covered, 45,000 trips completed. It’s been one year since the Milwaukee Streetcar, known as The Hop began servicing Downtown Milwaukee. What’s next and where is the Hop headed? To reflect on the first year of the Hop and to discuss its future, the MKE Forward team sat down with Ashley Booth of HNTB.