Pinpointing new avenues and opportunities for property investment in a recovering global and domestic marketplace is the key thrust of the 9th Annual Investment Property Databank (IPD) Property Investment Conference, being held in Cape Town in July.

Aptly themed ‘Expanding Horizons’, the conference is presented by IPD, a leader in property investment benchmarking, in partnership with the SA Property Owners’ Association (SAPOA).

“The conference has become the gold standard for property investors looking to gain strategic insight and network with peers from across the country and property market,” says Stan Garrun, managing director of IPD SA.

Sponsored by Old Mutual Property, the conference will focus on eight need-to-know topics for property investors, including: property cycles; global capital flows; real estate investment trusts (REITs); legal issues; residential and social housing; operating costs; property market data; and fund management.

“By tapping into the IPD’s contacts world-wide, we’ve lined up a roster of exceptional speakers to tackle these issues,” adds Garrun.

International presenters include Sabina Kalyan of CBRE Investments UK; Arnoud Vlak of IPD Netherlands. Locals speakers exploring specialized property sectors include renowned columnist Max Du Preez, Andrew Brooking of Java Capital, Rob Wesselo of International Housing Solutions; John Loos of FNB Commercial, Wayne van der Vent of PIC REAM, Craig Hallowes of Pangbourne Property, Keillen Ndlovu of Stanlib, Rael Levitt of Auction Alliance; and Marius Muller of Pareto.

For property investors wishing to sharpen their skills, the conference will also present an optional workshop on property cycles and how best to maintain returns in a recovering market, facilitated by Professor Tony Key of Cass Business School in London.

A networking highlight is the glittering Property Investment Awards dinner, sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, which recognizes SA’s top-performing property funds.

The 9th Annual IPD Property Investment Conference will take place on the 28 and 29 July 2011 at the Westin Grand Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.