2023 Program & Media

The Forecast Symposium connects the real estate community. Our carefully curated agenda covers a wide range of topics, providing attendees with actionable insights to drive their businesses forward.

Our 2023 program revolved around the theme Adapting to Unpredictability and featured four sessions, with experts in economics, banking, governance, insurance, and development.

Video (View the Playlist on YouTube)

Session One:
A Perspective on the Economy

In the first part of the 2023 program, Forecast Committee Chair Mignon Richard Díaz of NAI Latter & Blum provided welcoming remarks and introduced attendees to the day's content. Danushka Nanayakkara of the National Association of Home Builders provided a national perspective on the economy, Paul Hendershot of CoStar brought key insights that bridged national and local trends in real estate. Dr. Gary Wagner of the University of Louisiana Lafayette honed in on the ten parishes of the NOMAR region using ROAM MLS data. Dr. Wagner's presentation marked the first time housing data from the NOMAR region had been analyzed in an economic deep dive. Leading into the morning break, Paul Domingue of Home Bank delivered brief remarks.

Session Two:
The Challenge of Underwriting Today

Following the first break of the day, Cameron Lombardo, the 2024 president of NOMAR's Commercial Investment Division, welcomed attendees back to the Symposium, announced the results of the recent Board election, and introduced the members of the 2024 NOMAR CID Board. Session Two featured a banking panel moderated by Dr. Brian Andrews of Louisiana State University. Dr. Andrews is the Executive Director of the Real Estate Research Institute at Louisiana State University and the Hermann Moyse, Jr. / Louisiana Bankers Association Instructor in Banking in the Department of Finance at LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business. He was joined in a lively discussion by John Zollinger of Home Bank, Hamilton Blanton of Bank Plus, and Meghan Donelon of Red River Bank.

Session Three:
Insurance and the Environment

Bob Bergeron, principal in Crescent Title and 2023 NOMAR Affiliate of the Year, delivered remarks on economic trends and interest rates on return from lunch, touching on historical trends and insurance as well. Forecast Committee member Paul Richard of NAI Latter & Blum introduced Senator Kirk Talbot of District 10, who addressed insurance within the legislative environment. Sen. Talbot was followed by Chip Kline of GIS Engineering, who served as Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and spearheaded the 50-Year Coastal Master Plan. Mark Montiel of Montiel Hodge wrapped up Session Three with a perspective on Louisiana insurance and the legal environment.

Session Four:
The Evolving Development Model

After the afternoon break, attendees were welcomed back for the final session of the day. Louis David of the New Orleans Business Alliance moderated a panel on development featuring a diverse panel of the leading developers in the New Orleans region: Zach Kupperman of Kupperman Companies, Curtis Doucette, Jr. of Iris Development, Michael Merideth of VPG, and Luis Banos of Felicity Property Co. Panelists provided perspectives on how they have creatively leveraged resources to meet today's market demands, challenges, and opportunities.

Following Session Four, Forecast Committee Co-Chair David Keller of Stirling, LLC., thanked attendees, offered closing thoughts, and introduced Guy Williams, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company. Mr. Williams wrapped up the Symposium with a deep dive into interest rates.