About the Queen's Real Estate Roundtable (Q25)
Introducing the Organization
The Queen’s Real Estate Roundtable is a national, not-for-profit organization that brings together senior executives from a variety of types of companies within the commercial real estate sector, for the purposes of advancing and sharing best practices in the industry and discussing issues of common interest. This elite university-based organization is unique in Canada. Membership is limited to 25 of the most significant companies in the sector (the “Q25”), by invitation only, and the number of companies from each category is also limited. The Roundtable is a value-oriented forum, engaging in only those activities which its member companies feel add value to their business operations. It is run by its members, for its members.
The Origins of the Roundtable
The Roundtable builds on the strong reputation and success of the Queen’s University’s Executive Seminars on Corporate and Investment Real Estate, founded in 2004 and under the leadership of Dr. John Andrew since its inception. ESCIRE provides high-quality executive development events, drawing prominent speakers and senior executive attendees from across North America, and occasionally also internationally. Its hallmark is hosting small (capped at 100 participants) and interactive forums, with candid and intelligent discussions on current and emerging themes of importance to the industry.
Benefits of Membership
Member companies pay an annual fee, and receive many benefits (being phased in over time), including (but not necessarily limited to):
- Attendance at approximately three Executive Real Estate Seminars each year.
- Participation in all other events, including breakfast symposia and cocktail receptions with distinguished keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions and networking events.
- Participation in a one-day, summit-style annual members retreat.
- Exclusive access to publications written by experienced researchers working on current, emerging and directly-applicable real estate issues chosen by members.
- Access to ancillary opportunities offered by Queen’s University, e.g. recruiting graduates, hiring summer interns, guest speaking opportunities, consulting, etc.
- Receipt of a regular newsletter containing interesting articles, research findings and news from member companies and the industry.
- Advertising privileges at our seminars and other events.
- Participation in the governance of the Roundtable and direct input on all aspects of its operation.
- Exclusive, password-protected access to an online portal to research products, publications, an industry database, newsletters, etc.
A Complementary, Not Competing Industry Organization
There are already several well-established membership-based real estate organizations. We have studied and consulted with these organizations and many other advisors, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary overlap and duplication. The principal foci of the Roundtable are executive development and applied research. Another way in which the Roundtable distinguishes itself is through its inclusion of only senior executives from 25 of Canada’s leading companies from across a cross-section of the real estate industry. It is modeled after industry organizations based at leading U.S. universities with real estate programs. Among the Q25’s hallmark features are exclusivity, collegiality, seniority and confidentiality.
