Nationally-Syndicated SiriusXM Radio Host, CNN Host & Contributor, Newspaper Columnist, & New York Times Best-Selling Author

In addition to his acclaimed work as nationally-syndicated Sirius XM Radio talk show host, newspaper columnist, and New York Times best-selling author, Michael Smerconish hosts CNN’s Smerconish. He also provides analysis and opinion on CNN programming throughout the week. Prior to joining CNN, Smerconish was an MSNBC contributor and served as frequent guest-host on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews.

His presentations provide audiences with a balanced, thought-provoking, and entertaining analysis presidential elections. Smerconish details what he describes as the “rural rebellion” that led to President-Elect Donald Trump’s surprise victory. In so doing, he lends insight that could only come from someone who covered the election from start to finish daily on SiriusXM radio, and participated in CNN’s coverage of every primary, election night, party conventions, all four presidential and vice-presidential debates, and spent nine hours on set for the finale on election night. Smerconish has received numerous accolades for his talk show including the National Association of Broadcasters, which selected him as a 2011 Marconi Award finalist in the category of Best Network/Syndicated Host and TALKERS magazine, which has consistently named him one of America’s most important talk show hosts.

Session: Opening General Session, Wednesday, October 16 at 11:00 a.m.

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Geopolitical Strategist

Peter Zeihan is a geopolitical strategist, which is a fancy way of saying he helps people understand how the world works. Peter combines an expert understanding of demography, economics, energy, politics, technology, and security to help clients best prepare for an uncertain future.

Over the course of his career, Peter has worked for the US State Department in Australia, the DC think tank community, and helped develop the analytical models for Stratfor, one of the world’s premier private intelligence companies. Peter founded his own firm — Zeihan on Geopolitics — in 2012 in order to provide a select group of clients with direct, custom analytical products. Today those clients represent a vast array of sectors including energy majors, financial institutions, business associations, agricultural interests, universities and the U.S. military.

With a keen eye toward what will drive tomorrow’s headlines, his irreverent approach transforms topics that are normally dense and heavy into accessible, relevant takeaways for audiences of all types.

Peter is a critically-acclaimed author whose first two books — The Accidental Superpower and The Absent Superpower — have been recommended by Mitt Romney, Fareed Zakaria and Ian Bremmer. His most recent books are titled Disunited Nations: The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World and The End of the World Is Just the Beginning.

Session: Prologis Speaker Series, Thursday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m.

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Head of Commercial Real Estate Economics, Moody’s Analytics

Thomas P LaSalvia, PhD, is Head of Commercial Real Estate Economics at Moody's Analytics specializing in commercial real estate across property types. While his expertise encompasses space and capital market performance, Thomas’s keen interest lies within the subdiscipline of optimal location theory. Dr. LaSalvia regularly presents his research at industry events and his insights are frequently featured in leading periodicals. Prior to joining Moody's Analytics, Dr. LaSalvia was an industry consultant and served as a Lecturer of Economics at The College of William & Mary.

Session: Closing General Session, Friday, October 18 at 9:15 a.m.

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