CEE Property Forum & Awards Gala 2025 - Vienna, Austria

Date: 24th - 25th November 2025    Venue: Palais Niederösterreich | Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere - A Concept By Hyatt

Agenda

24th November 2025

17:00-17:45 – TRAM RIDE TO THE GALA VENUE

Are you staying at Andaz or nearby? We've arranged a ride by a historic tramcar to take our guests from Andaz to Palais Niederösterreich, the venue of our Awards Gala and Networking Party. The tram departs at 17:20. If you'd like to take advantage of this free-of-charge transfer option, meet our team in the lobby of Andaz at 17:20. (The journey takes 30 minutes and involves 10 minutes of walking.)

17:45-22:00 – CEE PROPERTY AWARDS GALA 2025 & WARM-UP PARTY

Venue: Palais Niederösterreich. Tickets for CEE Property Forum 2025 also include entry for the Awards Gala and Networking Party.

 

17:45 - 18:15

Registration & Welcome Drinks

18:15 - 18:20

Introduction of the Annual CEE TOP 100 List

Building on the success of country-specific TOP 50 lists, Property Forum will unveil the second edition of its CEE TOP 100, a publication listing the 100 most influential people in the CEE real estate business.

18:20 - 18:30

Introduction of Property Forum's Charity Partner

Property Forum is partnering with the Ronald McDonald Foundation for an online charity auction aimed at supporting the Foundation's efforts to construct its third Ronald McDonald House in Poland, providing crucial support to families of seriously ill children. Our readers and visitors of CEE Property Forum can bid on items such as a football jersey signed by Robert Lewandowski, a painting by Polish artist Magdalena Lenartowicz or entry to an IRONMAN Poland 2026 race. 100% of the proceeds will support the Foundation's vital mission of "Keeping Families Close" by promoting family-centred care. Mateusz Bonca will introduce the activities of the Foundation. Learn more here

People:

  • Mateusz Bonca, CEO, JLL Poland, long-time friend of the Ronald McDonald Foundation

18:30 - 19:30

Awards Gala

Join us to celebrate the best projects, most impactful transactions, and most inspiring personalities and companies in the CEE real estate market. Nominations are now closed, and the shortlist is available on our website.

Award categories:
  • Concept of the Year: projects under planning or construction 
  • Project of the Year – Office / Retail / Logistics / Living: projects completed since Q4 2024
  • Investment Deal of the Year: transactions completed since Q4 2024
  • Financing Story of the Year: transactions completed since Q4 2024
  • Investment Professional of the Year
  • Financing Professional of the Year
  • Tech Gamechanger of the Year

Our confirmed jury members: 

Andrei Boca (Globalworth), Bogdan Doicescu (Bog’Art Holding Management), Charles Boudet (iO Partners), Christopher Mertlitz (W. P. Carey), Daniel Bienias (CBRE), Didier Balcaen (Speedwell), Dobrin Staykov (AG Capital), Dominik Uhe (Kaufland International), Doron Klein (AFI), Erik Drukker (BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland), Erwin Hanslik (Taylor Wessing Czech Republic), Ferenc Gondi (CTP Hungary), Florian Nowotny (Indotek Group), Günther Artner (Erste Group Bank AG), Hedwig Höfler (CA Immo), Inga Chkhaidze-Heynen (Revetas Capital), János Gárdai (Futureal), Jaroslav Kysela (Investika), Jiří Horák (REICO Erste Asset Management), Katarina Horvathova (Manova Partners), Mateusz Bonca (JLL Poland), Nicklas Lindberg (Echo Investment), Paul Hallam (GalCap Europe), Pavel Sovicka (Panattoni CZ & SK), Pavel Streblov (Penta Real Estate), Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa (Ţuca Zbârcea & Asociaţii), Renata Osiecka (AXI IMMO), Robert Ioniță (NEPI Rockcastle), Roxana Fratila (CMS Romania), Rudolf Nemec (Cushman & Wakefield Slovakia) and Tomas Cifra (Mitiska REIM)

19:30 - 22:00

Warm-up Party

Guests can enjoy an amazing food and drink offer, including several uniquely themed bars.

25th November 2025

7:15-8:00 – MORNING NETWORKING RUN SPONSORED BY TAYLOR WESSING

A casual morning run with fellow real estate runners starting from Hotel Andaz. You can either go for a shorter run (5 km) through the neighbouring Schweitzergarten and the breathtaking Belvedere Park - led by Viennese runner and personal trainer Verena Ullmann or you can go more hardcore and take the longer city tour (10 km) to the city centre and back. The longer city run will be led by longtime runners from the Taylor Wessing leadership: Erwin Hanslik (CEE Head of Real Estate and Head of the Prague office) and Dániel Ódor (Partner and Head of Real Estate of the Budapest office).

 

08:00-08:30 – REGISTRATION WITH WELCOME COFFEE

Venue: Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere - A Concept By Hyatt

SECTION 1: MONEY TALKS

Section host: James Dearsley, CEO EMEA, Verv

08:30 - 08:40

Welcome Remarks by Property Forum & Introducing the MCs of the Day

Following the welcoming words of Property Forum's CEO, the hosts of the day will introduce the agenda.

People:

08:40 - 08:45

Introduction of Property Forum's Charity Partner

Property Forum is partnering with the Ronald McDonald Foundation for an online charity auction aimed at supporting the Foundation's efforts to construct its third Ronald McDonald House in Poland, providing crucial support to families of seriously ill children. Our readers and visitors of CEE Property Forum can bid on items such as a football jersey signed by Robert Lewandowski, a painting by Polish artist Magdalena Lenartowicz or entry to an IRONMAN Poland 2026 race. 100% of the proceeds will support the Foundation's vital mission of "Keeping Families Close" by promoting family-centred care. Mateusz Bonca will introduce the activities of the Foundation. Learn more here

People:

  • Mateusz Bonca, CEO, JLL Poland, long-time friend of the Ronald McDonald Foundation

08:45 - 09:15

The Future of CEE: Opening Keynote by Zuzana Čaputová, Former President of Slovakia

In an exclusive opening keynote, former President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová, will discuss the most pressing challenges and future scenarios for the CEE region, followed by a fireside chat led by Property Forum founder Csanád Csűrös.

Over the past three decades, since the fall of communism, Central and Eastern Europe has been one of the world’s most remarkable economic success stories. But the question now is what lies ahead for CEE? Which political paths will the region take? What challenges and opportunities will shape our societies in the years to come?

Zuzana Čaputová served as the president of Slovakia from 2019 to 2024, the first female president in the Visegrád Four. A lawyer by profession, she was a strong advocate for the rule of law, environmental protection, and women's rights. In 2020, she was ranked 83rd on Forbes' list of the 100 most powerful women.

People:

09:15 - 10:00

The Funding Formula: Insights into Financing Strategies

Senior banking and corporate leaders will share perspectives on how developers and investors can secure capital in a high-interest environment. The panel will explore debt versus equity strategies, refinancing challenges, and the evolving role of banks in CEE’s growth story.

Chair: Dorota Wysokińska-Kuzdra, Senior Partner, Head of Corporate Finance & Living Services CEE, Colliers

Conversation participants:

10:00-10:30 – NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK WITH SACHER CAKE CORNER SPONSORED BY KAUFLAND

SECTION 2: ALL ABOUT INVESTMENTS

Section host: James Dearsley, CEO EMEA, Verv

10:30 - 10:50

The New Investment Map: CEE’s Emerging Hubs and Shifting Capital Flows

Experts from CBRE will present the latest research on how new cities and sectors are attracting capital across CEE. The presentation will highlight the regions and asset classes with the strongest growth potential.

People:

10:50 - 11:35

The Great Capital Hunt: Who’s Buying and Who's Selling in 2026?

This panel will bring together leading investors, lawyers, and advisors to analyse the current transaction landscape. The speakers will debate who is most active on the buy side, which assets are being traded, and what to expect from cross-border capital in the year ahead.

Chair: Philipp Zschaler, Managing Partner and Head of the Real Estate Industry Group, Andersen Germany

Conversation participants:

11:35 - 12:20

Building Resilient Portfolios: Rethinking Investment Management Strategies

Investment and asset management leaders will share their approaches to navigating market volatility. The conversation will focus on diversification, operational efficiency, and strategies for sustaining long-term value in changing market conditions.

Chair: Clare Sheils MRICS, Managing Director, CBRE Czech Republic

Conversation participants:

12:20 - 13:00

Local & Cross-Border Capital: Unlocking New Deal Flows

Regional and international players will examine how domestic investors and foreign capital can complement each other. The panel will address pricing, competition, and the partnerships driving transactions across CEE.

Chair: Dániel Ódor MRICS, Partner, Taylor Wessing Hungary

Conversation participants:

13:00 - 13:05

Closing of the Charity Auction

Property Forum is partnering with the Ronald McDonald Foundation for an online charity auction aimed at supporting the Foundation's efforts to construct its third Ronald McDonald House in Poland, providing crucial support to families of seriously ill children. Our readers and visitors of CEE Property Forum can bid on items such as a football jersey signed by Robert Lewandowski, a painting by Polish artist Magdalena Lenartowicz or entry to an IRONMAN Poland 2026 race. 100% of the proceeds will support the Foundation's vital mission of "Keeping Families Close" by promoting family-centred care.

After bidding closes at 12:00, we'll announce the winners of each auction item live on stage during CEE Property Forum.

13:05-14:00 –NETWORKING LUNCH

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: DRIVING PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE

Limited seats, registration needed: If you'd like to join, send us an email at info@property-forum.eu.

14:00 - 15:00

Executive Roundtable Discussion: Driving Portfolio Performance

Small workshop-style roundtable discussion with senior real estate executives. Confidential, high-level discussion on how trusted financial data drives portfolio performance, yield protection, and investor confidence. Participants will compare real-world experiences of managing data complexity across multiple CEE markets, exploring how they can move from fragmented reporting to transparent, AI-ready decision support. The goal is shared insight — not comparison. Every leader leaves with new perspectives, ideas to test, and stronger professional relationships.

Moderator: James Dearsley, CEO EMEA, Verv
Featured expert: Andreas Kozma, Founder & CEO, iREMS International AG

Topics:

1. Controlling the Truth Behind the Numbers: Ensuring accuracy and ownership of data used in valuations, forecasts, and investor reports.
2. Financial Data as a Performance Lever: How reliable, timely information affects yield, CapEx discipline, and financing terms.
3. The Right Data, Not More Data: Distilling what really drives returns while avoiding data overload.
4. AI-Ready Finance: Building internal standards and infrastructure that turn data into foresight.

SECTION 3/A: EXPLORING ALL ASSET CLASSES

Section host: Angelus Bernreuther, Moderator / Head of Business Development, DEFAMA

14:00 - 14:15

Inside Europe’s Data Centre Boom: Trends, Demand, and Investment Drivers

This presentation will unpack the forces behind Europe’s rapidly expanding data centre market. It will explore the demand drivers, key investment trends, and the role of digital infrastructure in reshaping real estate strategies across the continent.

People:

14:15 - 14:55

Urban Living 2.0: Residential, Mixed-Use and the Future of City Life

This session explores how changing lifestyles and demographics are reshaping urban development. Panellists will discuss residential demand, the role of mixed-use projects, and how cities can adapt to new living patterns.

Chair: Kinga Barchon, Partner, Real Estate Leader, PwC Polska

Conversation participants:

14:55 - 15:10

Anchor of Attraction: How Supermarkets Drive Retail Revitalisation

Dominik will explain how grocery-anchored retail formats continue to attract investors and revitalise shopping centres. The presentation will illustrate why supermarkets remain resilient even in times of market turbulence.

People:

  • Dominik Uhe, Head of Investor Relationship Management, Kaufland International

15:10 - 15:50

Office, Retail, Logistics: Finding the Best-Yielding Assets for 2026

Industry leaders will compare the performance of key asset classes and share insights on where yields remain strongest. The panel will weigh tenant demand, financing conditions, and development pipelines to identify the most attractive opportunities.

Chair: James Fitzgerald, Director, Head of Industrial Agency, iO Partners

Conversation participants:

15:50 - 16:30

Reposition, Reinvest, Reinvent: Navigating the New Office Reality

As hybrid work patterns, ESG pressures and cost challenges redefine office demand, owners and occupiers alike are rethinking what makes a workspace valuable. This panel will explore how capital, design and operations must evolve to future-proof office assets.

Chair: Paweł Nowakowski MRICS, Founder & CEO, PNC

Conversation participants:

SECTION 3/B: FOCUS ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Section host: Paul Toyne, Practice Leader, Sustainability, Grimshaw

14:00 - 14:15

AI at Work: Transforming Real Estate Through Data and Intelligence

James will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping real estate. His keynote will highlight practical applications of AI across project management, investment decisions, and asset operations, showing how data-driven intelligence can unlock new efficiencies and value for the industry.

People:

14:15 - 14:30

Energy & Sustainability Performance in Real Estate: What to Do Now, Next, and Beyond

This presentation will offer clear, hands-on guidance on developing financially viable transition roadmaps for real estate assets. It will outline the critical steps to take before pursuing renovation passports or transactions and demonstrate how to directly capitalise on sustainability upgrades, illustrated with case studies.

People:

14:30 - 15:10

Sustainable ROI: Delivering Profits Today While Building Value for Tomorrow

CEOs and innovators will share approaches to combining profitability with sustainability. The discussion will highlight ESG-driven business models and the tangible benefits of inclusive, green, and socially responsible strategies.

Chair: Tjidsger Wierda, ESG Partner, Walvius Partners

Conversation participants:

15:10 - 15:50

Data, Risk, and Returns: Rethinking Investment Logic

This panel will explore how investors can better balance risk and reward in today’s uncertain environment, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making. The session will highlight how technology and analytics are reshaping traditional investment logic.

Chair: James Garner, Global Head of AI & Data, Gleeds

Conversation participants:

15:50 - 16:30

SEE Rising: Navigating Growth Markets from the Adriatic to the Balkans

This panel will examine the growth potential of Southeastern Europe, focusing on dynamic markets from the Adriatic coast to the Balkans. The discussion will cover investor appetite, capital flows, and the opportunities shaping the region’s real estate landscape.

Chair: Maja Šubic, Partner, Andersen Slovenia | Senica & Partners

Conversation participants:

16:30-17:30 – CLOSING, PROSECCO & WHISKEY TASTING

Be visible at CEE Property Forum & Awards Gala 2025!

Get noticed, get your message across and reach hundreds of real estate decision-makers by sponsoring CEE Property Forum & Awards Gala 2025. Our partners benefit from speaking opportunities, free tickets, logo placement and other online and on-site advertisements, in addition to a number of tailor-made solutions. Reach out to us to get more details about the available sponsorship packages.

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