Which CRE conferences are worth your time.
A curated calendar of CRE capital markets conferences and summits — with a practitioner's verdict on each. The events worth attending, the ones that are niche, and the ones to skip. Free. ICS subscribable.
May 2026
2 events- May 17–19
ICSC Las Vegas
Worth itLas Vegas Convention Center, NV
Verdict Worth it only if retail is a focus.
Audience Retail landlords, tenants, brokers, investors, developers
- May 18–20
IMN SFR East
OptionalMiami, FL
Verdict Only if SFR/BTR lending is part of strategy.
Audience SFR/BTR decision-makers, owners/operators, institutional landlords, lenders
June 2026
5 events- Jun 1–3
CRE.Converge (NAIOP)
OptionalChicago, IL
Verdict Best for industrial/logistics developers.
Audience Industrial/office developers, investors, brokers
- Jun 8–10
CREFC Annual
Must attendNew York Marriott Marquis, NYC
Verdict Must-attend. Premier CRE finance event.
Audience CMBS traders, debt fund managers, special servicers, rating agencies
- Jun 15–16
IMN Non-QM
SkipDana Point, CA
Verdict Skip — residential Non-QM, not CRE.
Audience Non-QM originators, warehouse lenders, ABS investors
- Jun 22–23
Bisnow National
OptionalVarious
Verdict Cheap local networking. Pick city-specific ones.
Audience Developers, brokers, investors, lenders
- Jun 28–30
BOMA International
SkipLos Angeles, CA
Verdict Skip. Property management focus.
Audience Property managers, building owners, facility managers
July 2026
1 event- Jul 14–15
Western States CREF
Worth itSan Francisco, CA
Verdict Good regional conference if active on West Coast.
Audience West Coast lenders, brokers, servicers
September 2026
3 events- Sep 15–16
IMN HELOCs & Second Liens
SkipAustin, TX
Verdict Skip — residential focused, not CRE.
Audience HELOC originators, second lien investors, servicers
- Sep 15–17
RealWorld (Buildout)
SkipAustin, TX
Verdict Skip. Brokerage tech niche.
Audience CRE brokers, PropTech, data providers
- Sep 22–24
RETCON 2026
OptionalLas Vegas, NV
Verdict Only if evaluating tech platforms.
Audience PropTech vendors, RE operators, VCs, innovation teams
October 2026
5 events- Oct 14–15
CRETech NY
SkipNew York, NY
Verdict Tech-focused. Skip unless evaluating platforms.
Audience PropTech founders, RE tech investors, CRE operators
- Oct 18–21
MBA Annual
Worth itDenver, CO
Verdict Good but broad. MBA CREF is better for CRE.
Audience Mortgage bankers, agency lenders, servicers
- Oct 19–21
SIOR Fall
SkipScottsdale, AZ
Verdict Skip unless broker relationships are key.
Audience Office/industrial brokers, tenant reps
- Oct 26–27
IMN Mortgage AI
OptionalDana Point, CA
Verdict Interesting tech angle — AI in lending ops.
Audience Mortgage tech vendors, AI/ML engineers, lender ops teams
- Oct 26–29
ULI Fall
Worth itDallas, TX
Verdict Good macro conference. Very broad audience.
Audience Institutional investors, developers, city planners, pension funds
November 2026
3 events- Nov 2–3
IMN MSR Fall
SkipNew York, NY
Verdict Skip — MSR focused, not CRE lending.
Audience MSR buyers/sellers, servicers, subservicers
- Nov 10–11
IMN CRE CLOs
Must attendNew York, NY
Verdict Must-attend for CRE debt. CLO managers, investors, rating agencies all in one room.
Audience CRE CLO managers, CMBS investors, debt fund originators, rating agencies, B-piece buyers
- Nov 13–16
NAR Conference
SkipOrlando, FL
Verdict Skip. Residential agent focused.
Audience Residential agents, brokers, some CRE
December 2026
1 event- Dec 6–9
IMN SFR West + Awards
OptionalFairmont Scottsdale Princess, AZ
Verdict Only if SFR/BTR lending is part of strategy.
Audience SFR/BTR decision-makers, owners/operators, institutional landlords, lenders