Name: Future of Galveston County
Start: 2024-07-18T09:30:00-05:00
End: 2024-07-18T13:15:00-05:00
Location: South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center

Presented By

Speakers and Panels

Fireside Chat

Mayes Middleton

State Senator, Texas

Reid Wilson

Reid Wilson is recognized as southeast Texas' preeminent land use attorney, a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), and one of few practicing real estate attorneys holding the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) designation. Board-certified in commercial real estate law and homeowners association law, he brings to his practice his relationships and reputation with governmental lawyers and officials throughout southeast Texas. As the Chairman of Wilson Cribbs + Goren, Reid led the firm to become one of the go-to real estate boutiques in Texas. An adept critical thinker, problem-solver, and creative strategist, as well as a skilled negotiator, Reid advocates for the interests of a wide array of private clients, including residential and commercial developers, property owners, Fortune 500 companies, and owners and operators of industrial sites. He also has unique knowledge of the laws on land use rights of religious organizations; specifically, the constitutional and statutory exceptions granted to them under state and federal law. Reid approaches public land use law with a private real estate lawyer's understanding, experience, and perspective, while simultaneously possessing a thorough knowledge of the regulator mindset, resulting in the ability to achieve efficient and fair results for his clients. When challenges do arise, Reid is at his best and pursues difficult land-use problems to resolution. His commitment to his clients is unwavering, and he uses his negotiation skills and passion for problem-solving to craft and implement equitable resolutions between conflicting land owners and land uses. Houston's land-use laws lack a zoning component – but are bewildering in their variety and complexity. Outside the City of Houston lie numerous municipalities with zoning and other restrictive land-use regulations. Few people have the ability to efficiently navigate the diverse array of local statutes and administrative bodies, from boards of adjustment to zoning boards to city councils, as Reid can do. With his many years in Texas real estate, Reid has experience with most land use regulatory bodies in southeast Texas. This deep experience has allowed him to forge positive relationships with many local government bodies, a quality that provides clients with greater predictability and efficiency when pursuing their land use objectives. Reid's practice involves a broad array of work related to both public and private land-use regulations, such as deed restrictions (restrictive covenants), easements, development agreements, platting, economic development incentives, permitting and denial of permits, zoning approvals and denials, statutory vested rights, and traditional land use matters. As a trusted partner to his clients, Reid also counsels businesses proactively on land use and real estate matters to help avoid costly missteps before they occur. On the real estate side, Reid has a comprehensive general practice that addresses the needs of all types of private entities. He also consults with the firm's litigation team on matters as a high-level problem-solver and negotiator. As a leader of Wilson Cribbs + Goren, Reid leverages his extensive experience in land use and real estate law to mentor the firm's attorneys. Under his direction, the firm has made professional education a priority, ensuring that all attorneys are up to date on the latest in Texas land use and real estate laws and regulations.

Wilson Cribbs + Goren

Chairman

Moderator

Reid Wilson

Chairman, Wilson Cribbs + Goren

Projects Shaping Galveston County

Analyzing Growth, Key Developments, and Investment Opportunities

Rodger Rees

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO, oversees the fourth most popular cruise port in North America, located on one of the nation’s top 50 cargo waterways. This self-sustaining city entity generates more than 14,000 jobs and has an estimated annual state economic impact of $2.1 billion. Since Rees took the helm in January 2018, the Port of Galveston has grown its business, increased revenues 79 percent, developed and implemented a 20-Year Strategic Master Plan, and executed public-private partnerships to build two new cruise terminals. A $125 million cruise terminal, in partnership with Royal Caribbean International, opened in 2022. A fourth terminal to serve MSC Cruise Line will open in 2025. The port also was awarded $42.3 million in state grants in 2023, the largest grant amount in the port’s history, to fund critical cargo and transportation projects. The port is leveraging the state grant and cruise revenues to fund a phased $90 million cargo infrastructure improvement project beginning in mid-2024. The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce honored Rees as its 2022 Galvestonian of the Year for positively contributing to the betterment of the region’s business community. In addition, the Houston Business Journal named Rees one of the most admired CEOs in the Houston metroplex in 2023. Rees previously served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer for Port Canaveral, the world’s busiest cruise port. Rees spent his early years in Tennessee and is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. In addition, he is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Georgia, with over 25 years of executive management in private and public arenas. Rodger and his wife, Luci, have two sons at Ball High School in Galveston.

Galveston Wharves at the Port of Galveston, Texas

Port Director & CEO

Moderator

Rodger Rees

Port Director & CEO, Galveston Wharves at the Port of Galveston, Texas

$250 Million Beachside Mixed-Use Development

Mohamed Eldawy

CEO, Royal Crown Enterprise

Nancy Almodovar

Nancy Almodovar, CEO and co-founder of Nan and Company Properties, is a record-breaking leader in Houston's luxury real estate market. Recently named the #1 agent for selling the most expensive homes in the city, Nancy has consistently set new standards for excellence in high-end property transactions. Her unparalleled expertise and ability to break records have made her a trusted authority among Houston’s elite, handling the city’s most prestigious estates and multimillion-dollar properties. Starting from her kitchen table in 2014, Nancy built Nan and Company Properties into one of Houston’s top 10 brokerages, transforming it into a powerhouse of luxury real estate. With over 15 years of experience, her visionary leadership has led the firm to grow by more than 40% annually, driven by a commitment to excellence, bespoke service, and unmatched client satisfaction. Under her guidance, Nan and Company Properties has been repeatedly recognized by the Houston Business Journal as one of the best places to work, a distinction that Nancy values even more than her personal accolades, as it reflects the thriving, supportive environment she has cultivated for her team. Nancy’s influence extends beyond real estate; she is a dedicated community leader. In 2016, she founded the Nan Cares Toy Drive, an annual initiative that provides joy to underserved children in Houston. Her passion for giving back is reflected in her ongoing support of organizations like the Houston Ballet and her charitable efforts throughout the city. An alumna of the University of Houston Bauer College of Business and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program, Nancy blends her strong academic background with her entrepreneurial spirit. A devoted wife and mother of two, she also serves as a mentor to aspiring leaders in business and real estate, continuing to inspire and uplift the next generation.

Nan and Co.

CEO

Tiara on the Beach

Nancy Almodovar

CEO, Nan and Co.

Carl Schwab

President of RREAF Development Services, RREAF

Travis Huehlefeld

Travis focuses his practice on commercial real estate and land use law. He joined Wilson Cribbs + Goren in 2017 because of the firm’s expertise in servicing a wide range of real estate clients, from first time investors to publicly traded companies. Travis enjoys working with the firm’s many long-time clients as well as counseling clients who are new to the real estate industry. “Our clients have interesting projects that help shape the City of Houston. It’s extremely rewarding to work with the client to get these projects off the ground and across the finish line.” Travis serves clients in a wide range of real estate matters, including: Acquisitions, dispositions and development of all types of real estate (including commercial, multifamily, industrial, condominium projects, residential and raw land); Commercial leasing for office, retail, industrial, and warehouse space; Land use and entitlement matters such as zoning, platting, and vested rights; and Representing developers in forming property owners associations and drafting covenants and easements for commercial business parks; Business law matters such as entity creation and corporate governance. Prior to joining the firm, Travis practiced in the corporate department in the Houston office of Duane Morris, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, securities, and corporate governance. He is organized, transparent, reasonable and keeps a positive attitude when working with all parties of a real estate transaction. Travis understands that the complexities of the real estate business sometime require a lawyer to go above and beyond the call of duty. “Sometimes your client needs a hero, and you can’t miss that opportunity when it comes. Sometimes you have to drop everything you are doing to be there for a client when the deal is on the line.” The benefits of working at Wilson Cribbs + Goren go beyond what we do in the office. “It’s a source of pride to visit a restaurant that I negotiated the lease for or a building that was built thanks to a construction contract I negotiated. I love the City of Houston and I’m proud that I am playing a role in shaping its landscape. I am excited to service clients as they continue to make Houston a great place to live, work and play.” Travis obtained his B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of North Texas in 2012 and earned a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2015 where he was an Articles Editor for the Houston Law Review. He’s originally from Victoria, Texas. Travis enjoys playing guitar and mandolin, golfing, and spending time with his wife Katie, and their two daughters.

Wilson Cribbs + Goren

Shareholder

Moderator

Travis Huehlefeld

Shareholder, Wilson Cribbs + Goren

Resorts, Hospitality, and Restaurant Insights and Opportunity

A Deep Dive into the Tourism Boom Shaping Galveston's Coastline

Margaritaville Resort

Kip Sowden

Chairman & CEO, RREAF Holdings

Mario’s Seawall, Taquilo’s Tex-Mex Cantina And More

Johnny Smecca

President, Galveston Restaurant Group

Hotel Lucine

Dave Jacoby

Founder & Principal, Hotel Lucine

Hyatt Regency Baytown Hotel

Steve Galbreath

Chief Development Officer, Garfield Public/Private

La Quinta Inn & Suites

Jamail Virani

Partner, Level Capital

Moderator

Lance LaCour

President, Galveston County EDC

Why You Should Attend this Galveston County Commercial Real Estate Event

What You’ll Learn

Where are the investment and development opportunities in Galveston County's expanding real estate market?
How has Houston's growth influenced the population dynamics and development trends in the Galveston area?
Which major developments, such as Lago Mar, are significantly impacting the county's CRE landscape?
How have recent zoning changes altered the development landscape within Galveston?
What were the immediate impacts of Hurricane Beryl on Galveston County’s infrastructure and community? What steps are being taken to assist residents and businesses affected by the hurricane in their recovery efforts?
What challenges did Hurricane Beryl pose to hospitality businesses in Galveston County, and how are these challenges being overcome in terms of guest services and operational continuity?
What key developments and projects are shaping the landscape of cities such as Friendswood and League City?
What factors have propelled the growth of Galveston's tourism industry, and what economic benefits does it bring to the county?
How is Galveston investing in infrastructure and amenities to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors alike?
What impact does the growing port and its new terminal complex have on the area?
What are the future growth prospects for Galveston and what asset classes are anticipated to see the most growth outside of hospitality?
What economic and social factors are driving growth and development in Galveston County, and how are they interconnected?
In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, how is the hospitality industry in Galveston County adapting its operations and infrastructure to enhance resilience against future natural disasters?
How can the community and local government work together to ensure a swift and effective recovery, and what lessons can be learned from this recent event?

How You'll Do More Business By Attending:

Join us for a deep dive into the Galveston County real estate market, which is experiencing unprecedented growth. Nestled along the picturesque Gulf Coast, Galveston County is transforming into a premier vacation destination and economic powerhouse. While the county has traditionally been rooted in the oil and gas industry, in recent years, there has been an influx of development and economic opportunity from the hospitality and shipping and logistics industries due to proximity to the Port of Galveston and accessibility to Houston.

Discover how strategic transportation networks, including the I-45 corridor and major highway projects, are driving connectivity and accessibility, bolstering economic activities and enhancing residents' quality of life. Uncover the pulse of new development projects shaping Galveston County, from the Sports Illustrated Resort in Texas City to the Margaritaville Resort near East Beach, and gain insights into the evolution and opportunities within the region.

Who You’ll Meet During Networking: Owners, developers, investors, brokers, city and government officials, business consultants, architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants, bankers and technology companies.

Why You Should Attend: Bisnow events bring together the biggest power players in the industry to identify opportunities, build your network and expand your business. With the largest audience of commercial real estate professionals in the world, no one knows how to help your business more than us. Join Bisnow as we jump into the market to analyze its strengths and strategize on its areas of opportunity. You don't want to miss this event!

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Venue

South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center
2500 South Shore Blvd
League City, TX 77573

Ballroom: Marina Plaza

Parking Information:

Complimentary above ground and covered garage parking that is monitored by a roving security guard throughout the day and overnight.

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Agenda

Time	Activity
9:30 AM 10:30 AM	Breakfast, Networking, and Pre-Event Announcements
10:30 AM 11:00 AM	Fireside Chat with Senator Mayes Middleton and Wilson Cribbs + Goren's Reid Wilson
11:00 AM 11:45 AM	Projects Shaping Galveston County Analyzing Growth, Key Developments, and Investment Opportunities
11:45 AM 12:00 PM	Networking Break
12:00 PM 12:45 PM	Resorts, Hospitality, and Restaurant Insights and Opportunity A Deep Dive into the Tourism Boom Shaping Galveston's Coastline
12:50 PM 1:15 PM	Closing Networking

Galveston County News & Projects

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Future of Galveston County

The Latest Developments, Hospitality Boom & Insights into Pockets of Growth

Presented By

Speakers and Panels

Fireside Chat

Mayes Middleton

Reid Wilson

Projects Shaping Galveston County

Analyzing Growth, Key Developments, and Investment Opportunities

Rodger Rees

Mohamed Eldawy

Nancy Almodovar

Carl Schwab

Travis Huehlefeld

Resorts, Hospitality, and Restaurant Insights and Opportunity

A Deep Dive into the Tourism Boom Shaping Galveston's Coastline

Kip Sowden

Johnny Smecca

Dave Jacoby

Steve Galbreath

Jamail Virani

Lance LaCour

Why You Should Attend this Galveston County Commercial Real Estate Event

Venue

Agenda

Galveston County News & Projects

Sponsors

WANT THE ATTENDEE LIST FOR FREE?

Want to get a recap of everything covered at the event?

Don't Forget!