The Philippine Real Estate Festival (PREF) heeds the call for a showcase of the best real estate properties to invest in as it rallies more than a thousand of the country’s biggest and most trusted real estate companies and projects, finance institutions, suppliers, contractors and professionals from all over the country in a grand exhibit and investment forum on July 23 to 25, 2009 at the World Trade Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

Now on its third year, this year's Philippine Real Estate Festival (PREF) intends to play a crucial role in strengthening the realty business in the Philippines in the midst of the global financial recession, which was triggered, among others, by high property speculation in the U.S. More than a mere showcase of commodities and services, the festival aims to provide a venue for key players in the real estate business to assemble and address critical issues concerning the industry. It intends to gather and involve the active participation of practically all sectors both from the government and private sectors. The Real Estate Industry remains as the No.1 pump primer of our economy and will continue to not only spur business but also touch the lives of so many people.

Not until the recession breakout last year, the Philippines was dubbed as Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economy and the “hottest” real-estate hub by leading international real-estate services company CB Richard Ellis. Recently though, property research company Colliers International Research Philippines, in its fourth quarter Philippine market review, predicted that real estate developers in the country will continue to post lower profit margins this year. This is due, according to Colliers, to high expenses and slow take-up of projects.

Although the prediction comes as a blow to an otherwise robust industry, PREF is confident that the real estate business will steer itself positively even on a gloomy global economic weather. As such, the festival serves as a springboard for the indusx`try to steer itself toward success in 2009 and in the coming years.

By actively participating in the event, industry players not only impress upon investors-both local and foreign-their active presence, but also secure the confidence of major supporters and potential stakeholders. The festival attracts a captured audience. The three-day event gathers prominent personalities and key economic players expecting new commodities and improved projects and services in the real estate market. It will be an immense opportunity for realty developers and allied businessmen to display their products to eager investors during the festival.