Segal to speak at NAIOP breakfast

Legendary philanthropist, entrepreneur and real estate investor Joe Segal will share his views on the commercial property market during this month's NAIOP breakfast in Vancouver.
Segal , founder of Vancouver-based venture capital and development company Kingswood Capital, will explain why he has been actively investing in commercial real estate this year despite the global economic downturn. Kingswood launched in 1979 after Segal built the Fields department store chain, turned it into Zeller's and then sold the operation to the Hudson's Bay Company.
Among his many other pursuits, he has also built a clothing-store business, expanded First National Properties, formerly Block Bros., into a land development and property-investment powerhouse, acquired several clothing manufacturing companies and spearheaded the creation of Simon Fraser University's downtown campus.
the company formerly known Block Bros. into a land developm
During these years the company acquired many other clothing manufacturing companies.
In 1985, Mr. Segal acquired national retailer Collegiate Sporting Goods from Imasco. In 1986, he merged Collegiate with Sports Experts and became Chairman of both.
In 1988, Mr. Segal was instrumental in the 150 million dollar acquisition of Block Bros., a Western Canadian company in the land development and property investment field which now operates as First National Properties.
Mr. Segal served on the board of Simon Fraser University for over 12 years & was Chancellor for 6 years. In 1989, Mr. Segal was one of the individuals instrumental in establishing the Simon Fraser University Harbour Center downtown campus. Meanwhile, he has worked with, and financially supported countless charities, and provided the building virtually free of charge that now serves as the home of Vancouver's Olympic organizing committee (VANOC).
The NAIOP breakfast will be held Wednesday (instead of its usual Thursday) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, starting at 7:30 a.m.