By NREI Staff

Social dynamics — technologically driven changes that are having a profound effect on cities, workplaces, and personal lives — topped the educational agenda at CoreNet Global’s Midwest Summit that took place May 1-3 in Chicago.

Expert speakers on the topic included Greg Lindsay, futurist and author of Aerotropolis: The Way We’ll Live Next; Greg Clark, urbanization, globalization and innovation expert; and New York Times Internet columnist Virginia Heffernan.

Panelists noted the development of new, high-tech and ecologically conscious cities in Korea, China and the Middle East; the continuing emergence of mobile and tablet technology that’s soon to eclipse the personal computer; and corporate-municipal partnerships between companies such as Cisco and IBM and cities such as Singapore, Amsterdam and Toronto. These partnerships are turning some of the world’s major cities into hubs of connectivity and innovation.

Some 2,000 corporate real estate professionals, end users and economic developers gathered in Chicago to network and learn about industry trends. CoreNet Global’s membership has passed the 7,000 mark, with corporate end users of real estate accounting for 41% of that total.

Greg Lindsay, futurist and author of the book “Aerotropolis,” addresses CoreNet Global attendees in Chicago during the opening general session.