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LAS VEGAS—ICSC Recon held at the Westgate Hotel and Resort and Las Vegas Convention Center kicked off on Sunday. The opening session on Professional Development Day featured the VIVA awards, keynote speaker Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Denver Broncos, and author John C. Maxwell. Some 30,000-plus attendees registered for the conference.

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Ian Thomas, VIVA  awards chairman, presented the prestigious awards. The award for best marketing went to Yorkdale Shopping Center in Toronto. The Strand Arcade in Sydney won best small retail project. Best retail store design was awarded to Dhamani 1969 in Dubai. Much to the audience's surprise, McDonalds Egypt Sodic in Cairo won best restaurant design and the grand prize, design and development, went to Trinity Leeds UK, of Leeds UK.

Manning pleased the crowd likening football to commercial real estate: “We have a lot in common. We face fierce competition and you have to initiate change or you'll become a follower. Vision is essential to navigate to the pinnacle of success. What do you see in the retail space that may not be evident to your competitors?”

He received a standing ovation.

Below: two photos from the kickoff festivities from RECon15.