BACK
It’s that time of year again! RETCON 2027 speaker applications are officially open.
One question I often hear is: Why does the RETCON team open applications so soon after the conference ends?
The answer is simple: innovation doesn’t wait.
At RETCON, we’re constantly looking ahead at what’s next for real estate and technology. Opening applications early allows us to identify the ideas, trends, and strategies that are shaping the industry.
As RETCON’s Director of Content & Programming, I spend a lot of time thinking about one thing: What sessions and conversations will actually move the industry forward in year over year?
The best sessions are the ones that bring fresh thinking, practical takeaways, creativity, and honest conversations to the stage. As we begin building the RETCON 2027 agenda, here are a few things our team is specifically looking for in speaker submissions.
NEW IDEAS THAT PUSH THE INDUSTRY FORWARD
RETCON is where innovation meets real operational and portfolio strategies. We want to hear what’s genuinely changing the way the industry operates. At the same time, innovation is not always about something brand new. Sometimes it’s about finally solving a long-standing challenge the industry has struggled with for years.
One major theme continuing into 2027 is AI. While AI will absolutely remain a focal point at RETCON, we’re especially interested in conversations that go beyond surface-level discussions.
We want to hear the practical realities in areas like:
• The compliance and risk considerations around emerging technologies like AI
• Managing large amounts of data in actionable ways
• Developing cost-efficiencies with technology
• Creating operational efficiencies with technology without losing the human element
• Understanding what technology residents, occupiers, and tenants are actually using
Technology is evolving quickly, but the best conversations focus on how innovation impacts people, operations, and long-term business strategy.
PRACTICAL INSIGHTS OVER HIGH-LEVEL THEORY
Our audience values actionable content.
People attending RETCON want real examples, measurable outcomes, lessons learned, and honest perspectives on both successes and failures. They want to hear how companies are navigating change in a rapidly evolving market and how leaders are making smarter operational decisions under pressure.
Maybe you’ve reduced costs in a specific area. Maybe you’ve streamlined workflows across a portfolio. Maybe you’ve piloted a new technology that completely changed the way your team operates, or maybe it didn’t work the way you expected.
Those are the stories attendees connect with most. The strongest sessions focus on education, strategy, and practical learning rather than broad predictions or product-focused conversations. People want transparency around what worked, what didn’t, and what others can realistically implement within their own organizations.
Case studies are especially valuable because they bring those lessons to life. Attendees want to understand:
• What challenge were you solving?
• What was your approach?
• What results did you see?
• What would you do differently next time?
• What new challenges are emerging that the industry should prepare for?
BEYOND THE CORE ASSET CLASSES
RETCON’s four primary asset pillars are multifamily, office, retail, and industrial. But, innovation is happening across every corner of commercial real estate.
Some of the most exciting conversations happen when new perspectives are introduced to the broader industry across all assets. If there’s an emerging asset class, adjacent sector, or evolving area of the market gaining momentum, we also want to showcase it.
If you believe there’s an important story, strategy, or innovation that could benefit the broader industry, even if it falls outside our core pillars, we encourage you to submit it.
MORE INTERACTIVE & CONVERSATION-DRIVEN FORMATS
Panels and presentations will always have a place at RETCON, but we’re continuing to expand more interactive, conversation-driven formats for 2027 as the industry wants more than high-level information. The more practical and honest the conversation, the more impactful it becomes.
Real estate has always been a relationship-driven industry, and some of the best learning happens through direct conversations with peers facing similar challenges.
This year, we’re especially excited to continue growing and introducing formats like:
• Roundtables
• Workshops
• Lunch & Learns
Some topics simply work better in collaborative environments than on a traditional stage. If you have an idea that would thrive in a more interactive setting, we want to hear it.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP OVER PITCHES
One of the most important things to understand about RETCON content is that attendees are looking for thought leadership, not sales presentations.
The strongest sessions focus on solving problems, sharing insights, and advancing the industry through honest conversation.
People want practical strategies, lessons learned, and perspectives they can take back to their organizations — not product demos disguised as educational content.
We want speakers who are willing to share both the opportunities and the realities of innovation in today’s market.
INTERESTED IN SPEAKING AT RETCON 2027?
If you’re passionate about innovation in real estate and have insights the industry can learn from, we’d love to hear from you. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2026.
I can’t wait to see the ideas, perspectives, and conversations our speakers bring to RETCON 2027.
