The third annual RealShare Phoenix, scheduled for Sept. 18, will focus on current market conditions, providing insight about surviving the downturn and comparing it to others. The half-day event will be held in Camelback Inn at 5401 E. Lincoln Dr. in Scottsdale. The RealShare Conference Series is sponsored by Real Estate Media, a division of Incisive Media.

The event's kick-off panel is "Comparing Cycles: Getting Realistic on Where the Market is Today, Where it is Going, and How This Compares to Down Markets of Past." It will be moderated by Jay Butler, director of realty studies at Arizona State University's Morrison School. The half-day lineup includes a town hall meeting about the current state of the market across all property types and a panel focused on the current credit crunch. The event is designed to offer a realistic view of what's going on and cut through any confusion, says Richard Kelley, executive director of the RealShare Conference Series.

"The Phoenix market is going through an extremely challenging period and what we're trying to do here is give a gauge on where things are and where they're going," Kelley says. "None of the speakers will pull any punches about where things are. But, they'll also remind people that the area has had downturns before and has emerged stronger from them."

But, the agenda isn't all gloom and doom. Topics will include deal sourcing, financing and how to get across the finish line in today's investment climate as well as how to prepare for the down cycle's end.

"In this type of market, it's important to be informed as well as finding ways to do deals and to generate business," Kelley tells GlobeSt.com. "We're hoping people will end up leaving here with contacts and a renewed sense of optimism."Kelley reports there has been good interest in the conference, with 150 to 200 participants expected to attend. While the majority of the registrants so far are local, Kelley predicts there will some out-of-state investors too.

"Outside firms are looking at the Phoenix market and are sensing that perhaps there will be opportunities out there," Kelley says. "As a result, we're expecting a combination of the local players as well as potential investors from outside the area."