Commercial brokers band together

FORT MYERS — Five commercial real estate brokerage firms plan to host the first Southwest Florida gathering of the International Council of Shopping Centers in Bonita Springs in early August.

In the commercial real estate industry, International Council of Shopping Centers gatherings are must-attend events for networking and deal making. The national events typically attract hundreds of brokers, tenants, investors and owners.

LandQwest Commercial, Kite Realty, Kova Partners, North American Properties and iCore Global are the firms launching the first of the council's Southwest Florida events. It will take place on Aug. 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs.

Speakers will include Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson Jr., Lee County Economic Development Office Director Shane Farnsworth, Collier County Director of Business and Economic Development Bruce Register, Collier County real estate appraiser Raymond Carroll and Marshal Goodman, Director at Catalyst Accelerator Network. There will be a question-and-answer session following the speaker presentations.

Cost is $30 in advance for council members or $45 at the door. Register online at www.icsc.org.