Top Industry Conferences Focused on Commercial Real Estate

05/10/2025

Industry Insights News

Staying on top of the commercial real estate industry means attending key events where you can network, learn about market trends, and discover new opportunities. From major commercial real estate conferences in the U.S. to influential international real estate events, the next 12 months (2024–2025) offer numerous real estate investment events for investors, brokers, developers, and other CRE professionals. Below we highlight the top property investment conferences and CRE networking events in the United States and around the world, along with their focus areas, timing, locations, and value for attendees.

Major U.S. Commercial Real Estate Conferences (2024–2025)

In the United States, several high-profile conferences cater to various sectors of commercial property. These events provide insights into markets like retail, multifamily housing, office, industrial, and more. Here are some of the most prominent U.S. CRE conferences coming up:

ICSC Las Vegas

Focus: Retail real estate – shopping centers, malls, and emerging retail marketplaces. Timing & Location: Held annually in May at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV (for example, the 2024 conference is mid-May in Las Vegas). What to Expect: As the premier retail real estate event, ICSC Las Vegas gathers thousands of dealmakers, retail developers, landlords, brokers, and brand representatives. It’s a hub for retail leasing and investment opportunities, featuring an extensive trade show floor and high-profile keynotes. Attendees benefit from networking with major retailers and learning about trends in brick-and-mortar retail, e-commerce integration, and experiential shopping. This conference is a must for anyone in retail property investment or development. (See official event site in References)

ULI Spring Meeting

Focus: Urban development and cross-sector real estate trends – including commercial, residential, and mixed-use development, land use, and city planning. Timing & Location: Each spring (typically April/May) in a different major city (e.g., April 2024 in New York City; May 2025 in Denver, CO). What to Expect: The Urban Land Institute’s Spring Meeting is an exclusive gathering for ULI members, bringing together top industry leaders, developers, investors, and urban planners. The meeting features expert panel discussions on the forces shaping the built environment, such as infrastructure, housing affordability, sustainability, and technological innovation in real estate. Attendees have opportunities to join roundtables, leadership discussions, and local project tours. For professionals seeking high-level insights into real estate finance, development strategy, and policy – all in an intimate networking setting – the ULI Spring Meeting is invaluable.

ULI Fall Meeting

Focus: Broad commercial real estate investment and development – covering capital markets, development trends, design, and industry innovation across all property types. Timing & Location: Every fall (typically October) in rotating cities (for example, October 2024 in Las Vegas, NV; fall 2025 in San Francisco, CA). What to Expect: The ULI Fall Meeting is one of the largest annual gatherings of real estate professionals, open to the full ULI membership and guests. Thousands of CRE executives, investors, developers, and public officials convene for several days of networking and insight. The agenda includes keynote presentations by renowned industry leaders and economists, educational sessions on topics ranging from capital market outlooks to the latest in proptech and sustainability, and project tours in the host city. Attendees can connect with potential partners during social events and product council meetings. The ULI Fall Meeting is known for fostering deal-making and sharing cutting-edge ideas that influence the direction of urban development and investment.

NAIOP CRE.Converge

Focus: Commercial real estate development and investment – with emphasis on industrial, office, and mixed-use properties (and some multifamily), as well as development trends and capital markets. Timing & Location: Annually in the fall; the 2024 conference is October 8–10 in Las Vegas, NV, and the 2025 event is slated for September in Toronto, Canada. What to Expect: NAIOP’s CRE.Converge is the flagship conference for commercial developers and investors, branded by the themes “Deals. Connections. Trends.” It brings together around 1,500+ top owners, developers, investors, and brokers for three days of networking and education. The agenda features sessions on the latest market outlooks for industrial and office real estate, strategies for mixed-use and logistics projects, and emerging opportunities in areas like last-mile distribution and life science facilities. There are also project tours, special events, and plenty of networking receptions. Attendees will find value in the focused deal-making environment – it’s a conference where many partnerships form and transactions begin, across the office and industrial real estate sectors.

BOMA International Conference & Expo

Focus: Commercial property management, operations, and building ownership – covering office, industrial, medical, and mixed-use assets, as well as new building technologies. Timing & Location: Held each summer (the 2024 conference is July 13–16 in Philadelphia, PA; 2025 dates to be announced, likely in June/July). What to Expect: Hosted by the Building Owners and Managers Association, this annual conference is the premier event for property owners, asset managers, and facilities management professionals. The BOMA Conference offers educational sessions on topics like asset management strategies, tenant relations, sustainability and ESG in buildings, the evolving workplace, and meeting new tenant demands. A major highlight is the expansive Expo, where hundreds of exhibitors showcase building technologies, services, and solutions – from smart building systems to energy efficiency innovations. Attendees can explore the expo floor for hands-on demos and also participate in networking events, keynote presentations, and workshops. This event is ideal for those looking to keep their commercial properties competitive and learn about operational best practices and trends in building management.

NMHC Annual Meeting

Focus: Multifamily housing investment and development – apartments and other residential rental assets. Timing & Location: Every January, at varying locations (for example, late January 2024 in San Diego, CA, and January 29–31, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV). What to Expect: The National Multifamily Housing Council’s Annual Meeting is the apartment industry’s most exclusive gathering, often attended by CEOs and senior executives from the largest multifamily owners, developers, and investors (note: this event is typically open to NMHC members only). The conference agenda includes high-level discussions on apartment market economics, investment strategy, and portfolio management, as well as closed-door roundtables on policy and trends affecting multifamily real estate. It’s common for major deals and partnerships to be initiated during the networking sessions and receptions at NMHC. Alongside the main meeting, NMHC also hosts an Apartment Strategies Conference (often the day prior) which is open to a broader audience and dives into market data, forecasts, and panel discussions with industry experts. For anyone in the multifamily investment sphere, the NMHC Annual Meeting is a critical networking opportunity and a barometer of the sector’s outlook for the year ahead.

Bisnow BMAC (Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference)

Focus: Multifamily real estate development and investment trends – with content on regional apartment markets, capital raising, and innovative housing strategies. Timing & Location: Multiple editions throughout the year; for instance, BMAC East is held in Washington, D.C. in late fall (the 2024 BMAC East took place in early December in the D.C. area) and BMAC West is slated for Los Angeles in November 2025. Bisnow also hosts BMAC events in other major cities (e.g., Texas, Midwest) during the year. What to Expect: Bisnow’s Multifamily Annual Conferences are full-day events packed with expert panels and networking focused on apartments. Each BMAC brings together local and national apartment owners, developers, investors, lenders, and proptech innovators. Panel discussions typically cover development pipelines, multifamily investment strategies, financing and capital markets, affordability and housing policy, design and amenity trends, and the outlook on rents and demand. Because these events are regional, attendees get market-specific insights (such as a “Southeast multifamily outlook” at BMAC East, or West Coast trends at BMAC West) and also benefit from networking with a mix of regional players and national firms. BMAC conferences are known for their energetic atmosphere and actionable content – attendees can gain new contacts and learn tactical strategies for succeeding in the multifamily sector.

Leading International Real Estate Investment Events

For a global perspective on property investment, several international conferences and trade fairs attract attendees from all over the world. These events are prime opportunities to expand your network across borders and learn about real estate markets in Europe, Asia, and beyond. Here are some top international real estate conferences to consider:

MIPIM (Cannes, France)

Focus: Global property markets – spanning commercial and residential real estate, with an emphasis on investment, development, and city innovation. Timing & Location: Every March in Cannes, France (hosted at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès – for example, MIPIM 2024 is March 12–15 in Cannes). What to Expect: MIPIM is one of the world’s largest and most influential real estate conferences, often described as a global property marketplace. Over 20,000 participants from 100+ countries come together, including institutional investors, fund managers, developers, architects, urban planners, and government city delegations. The event features four days of exhibitions, networking events, and conference sessions. Attendees can browse vast exhibition halls where cities and companies showcase development projects and investment opportunities. The conference program covers international investment trends, upcoming projects across the globe, innovative technologies, and pressing issues such as sustainable urban development. High-profile speakers (ranging from industry CEOs to world leaders) contribute to MIPIM’s prestige. Equally important are the networking opportunities – from formal meetings to yacht parties – that make MIPIM a key event for forging international partnerships and deal-making in commercial real estate.

EXPO REAL (Munich, Germany)

Focus: European real estate and investment – all major sectors (office, retail, industrial/logistics, hotel, residential) with a focus on transactions, development, and financing. Timing & Location: Annually in October at the Messe München exhibition center in Munich, Germany (for instance, EXPO REAL 2024 is scheduled for October 7–9 in Munich). What to Expect: EXPO REAL is Europe’s largest real estate trade fair and conference, drawing around 40,000 participants and nearly 1,800 exhibitors from dozens of countries. This three-day event provides a comprehensive overview of the European property market. The trade fair component means there are multiple exhibition halls where cities, regions, investment firms, developers, and service providers have booths to showcase projects and services. Concurrently, a high-level conference program runs, with panel discussions and forums on topics like European investment outlook, real estate finance, PropTech innovations, and sector-specific trends (e.g., the future of offices or the growth of logistics real estate). Attendees include a broad mix of professionals: investors looking for deals, bankers and financiers, developers seeking capital, and city economic development representatives marketing their locales. EXPO REAL is especially known for efficient networking – it’s a place to schedule back-to-back meetings with partners, clients, or prospects across the value chain. If you’re interested in transacting or learning in the European real estate arena, EXPO REAL is an essential event.

Cityscape Global (Dubai/UAE)

Focus: Real estate development and investment in emerging markets – with a core emphasis on the Middle East (Gulf region), as well as global urban development trends. Timing & Location: Traditionally held annually in Dubai, UAE (often in September or October at the Dubai World Trade Centre). **Update:** In recent editions, Cityscape Global has expanded to Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) as a host location (for example, a major Cityscape Global event was held in Riyadh in 2023, and another is planned for late 2025 in Riyadh). What to Expect: Cityscape Global is the premier property exhibition and conference in the Middle East. It is known for its impressive showcases of real estate projects – from skyscraper and megaproject unveilings to large-scale master planned communities. Developers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other regions exhibit scale models of upcoming projects, making it a visual feast for attendees. The conference portion includes talks on investment opportunities in Middle Eastern and emerging markets, discussions on architecture and urban design, smart cities, and financing in the region. Attendees range from global investors and sovereign wealth funds to regional developers, government officials, and even individual high-net-worth buyers looking for opportunities. Networking events often facilitate connections between international capital and local developers. Whether in Dubai or the newer Saudi format, Cityscape Global offers insight into some of the fastest-growing property markets and grandest development plans in the world.

REIW Asia (Singapore)

Focus: Asian real estate investment and capital markets – covering private equity real estate, REITs, and cross-border investment strategies across the Asia-Pacific region. Timing & Location: Typically held in Singapore, historically around mid-year (e.g., past events took place in June at the Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore). What to Expect: Real Estate Investment World Asia (REIW Asia) is one of Asia’s most established conferences focused on connecting investors with real estate opportunities. The event brings together LPs and GPs, including institutional investors (sovereign funds, pensions, endowments), fund managers, real estate investment trusts (REITs) executives, developers, and financiers active in Asian markets. The conference agenda dives into the strategic challenges and opportunities in Asia’s real estate landscape: panels and case studies address topics such as raising and deploying capital in Asia’s emerging markets, the growth and outlook of Asian REITs, the role of family office capital in real estate, and alternative sectors (e.g., data centers, logistics warehouses, student housing) that are gaining traction. Attendees gain insight into country-specific outlooks (with spotlights on key markets like China, India, Southeast Asia) and learn about macro-economic factors influencing real estate (interest rates, urbanization, etc.). Networking at REIW Asia is highly valuable for those looking to find partners or investors for cross-border deals in the Asia-Pacific. In essence, this conference equips real estate professionals with knowledge and contacts to navigate Asia’s dynamic investment environment.

PROVADA (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Focus: Real estate development and investment in the Netherlands and Europe – including commercial and residential projects, with a strong emphasis on networking and public-private partnerships. Timing & Location: Annually in June at the RAI Exhibition Center in Amsterdam, Netherlands (for example, PROVADA 2024 took place June 11–13, and PROVADA 2025 is set for June 17–19 in Amsterdam). What to Expect: PROVADA is the largest real estate fair in the Netherlands, functioning as a three-day networking exhibition and conference. It attracts over 25,000 visitors and hundreds of exhibitors each year. The event has a vibrant trade fair floor where developers, investors, banks, law firms, architecture firms, tech companies, and municipalities set up stands. A unique aspect of PROVADA is the significant presence of local and national government representatives (over 70 municipalities and public sector bodies participate), highlighting the fair’s focus on public-private collaboration in real estate. The programming includes panel discussions and keynote sessions (mostly in English and Dutch) on topics such as sustainable development, smart cities, housing solutions, and the state of the Dutch and European property markets. Attendees can drop into open discussions at exhibitor stands, attend award ceremonies (like the PROVADA Future Inspiration Awards for innovation in the built environment), and use the show’s app to schedule meetings. PROVADA’s atmosphere is collegial and deal-focused – it’s an ideal venue to connect with the who’s who of Dutch real estate, as well as international investors looking at the Netherlands and broader Europe. For anyone interested in European property investment with a focus on innovation and networking, PROVADA is a key event.