October 6-7, 2026
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
The Wisconsin Real Estate Trends Conference, sponsored by the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association, brings together one of the nation’s leading real estate networks for a day of focused industry insight and connection. Featuring compelling panels and expert perspectives, attendees explore the trends shaping real estate while connecting with professionals from across the industry.
Keynote Sessions
Featured Speakers
High-Stakes Communication: Lessons from a Crisis Negotiator for Real Estate Leader
Scott Tillema
Crisis Negotiation Expert & Founder
Negotiation Excellence, LLC
Negotiation Excellence, LLC
The CRE Outlook:
Capital Markets & Opportunity
Capital Markets & Opportunity
Spencer Levy
Global Client Strategist & Senior Economic Advisor
Host of The Weekly Take Podcast
CBRE
Host of The Weekly Take Podcast
CBRE
Don't miss out.
Register by August 25, 2026 for the Early Bird Rate.
We look forward to seeing you there!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Program Chair
Daniel Soyka, Northwestern Mutual Real Estate Investments
Schedule
All events take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
160 East Pearson Street at Water Tower Place
160 East Pearson Street at Water Tower Place
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
5:15-6:15 PM
Concurrent Property Type Forums
Industrial Forum
Location:
The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton
Sponsored by:
Multifamily Forum
Location:
The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton
Alternates Forum
Location:
The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton
5:00-6:30 PM
VIP Reception
By Invitation Only
This exclusive networking event will celebrate WREAA's board and regional leadership as well as the generosity of its annual corporate partners.
Sponsored by:
6:30-8:30 PM
Welcome Reception and Registration
The Cafe
12th Floor
12th Floor
Sponsored by:
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
All events take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
160 East Pearson Street at Water Tower Place
160 East Pearson Street at Water Tower Place
8:30 AM-3:00 PM
Refreshment Station
Sponsored by:
7:30-8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast and Registration
Grand Foyer
Registration continues until 3:00 PM
Sponsored by:
8:30-9:45 AM
Today’s Capital Markets: Debt, Equity, and Deal Flow
Ritz Carlton Ballroom
Industry experts examine how shifting market conditions are influencing deal flow, financing terms, and investment strategy.
Moderator:
TBD
Panelists:
Danny Kaufman, Senior Managing Director, Debt Platform Leader, Chicago Office Co Head, JLL Capital Markets
Rita Lai, Head of Debt Capital Markets, Portfolio Manager at JP Morgan
TBD
Panelists:
Danny Kaufman, Senior Managing Director, Debt Platform Leader, Chicago Office Co Head, JLL Capital Markets
Rita Lai, Head of Debt Capital Markets, Portfolio Manager at JP Morgan
Sponsored by:
9:45-10:45 AM
Industry Insights
The CRE Outlook with Spencer Levy
The CRE Outlook with Spencer Levy
Global Client Strategist & Senior Economic Advisor, Host of The Weekly Take Podcast
CBRE
CBRE
Ritz Carlton Ballroom
What opportunities and challenges lie ahead for commercial real estate? In this timely outlook session, attendees will gain insights into the economic forces, capital markets trends, and investment dynamics shaping the industry today. Drawing on perspectives from across the global real estate landscape, the presentation will explore emerging opportunities, market risks, and the factors influencing investment and development decisions as communities continue to evolve and grow.
10:45-11:10 AM
Networking Break
Grand Foyer
Sponsored by:
11:15 AM-12:15 PM
Asset Class Evolution: From Workspaces to Living Spaces
Office focused developers discuss how they are navigating post-pandemic market realities by pivoting capital allocation and development expertise toward living-oriented asset classes.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists:
Richard Ellis, Senior Vice President, Residential, BXP
Tony Scacco, President, Riverside
Panelists:
Richard Ellis, Senior Vice President, Residential, BXP
Tony Scacco, President, Riverside
Sponsored by:
12:20-1:20 PM
Networking Lunch
The Grand Foyer
Sponsored by:
1:30-2:30 PM
High-Stakes Communication:
Lessons from a Crisis Negotiator for Real Estate Leaders
Lessons from a Crisis Negotiator for Real Estate Leaders
Scott Tillema
Crisis Negotiation Expert & Founder of Negotiation Excellence
Crisis Negotiation Expert & Founder of Negotiation Excellence
In real estate, success often depends on the ability to navigate difficult conversations, build trust, and find common ground among competing interests. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience as a crisis and hostage negotiator, Scott Tillema will share practical strategies for communicating effectively under pressure, influencing outcomes, and strengthening relationships. Attendees will gain valuable insights into leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution that can be applied in boardrooms, project teams, client meetings, and community engagement efforts alike.
2:30-2:50 PM
Update on the Real Estate Program
Graaskamp Director Jacques Gordon will provide an update on new initiatives taking shape inside the top ranked real estate program at the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
2:50-3:50 PM
From AI Adoption to AI Advantage
AI is becoming table stakes as firms rush to adopt the latest tools. In this fireside chat, experts will discuss how to gain real advantage from what's already yours: proprietary data, approach to bottlenecks, and how you combine human judgment with AI.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists:
Matt Seitz, Executive Director, AI Hub for Business at Wisconsin School of Business
Panelists:
Matt Seitz, Executive Director, AI Hub for Business at Wisconsin School of Business
3:50-5:00 PM
Closing Networking Reception
The Cafe
Sponsors
Conference Information
Accommodations
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
160 E Pearson St.
Chicago, IL 60611-2124
Phone: 312-266-1000
Room Rate: $385 Single/Double
Room Block: Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association Block
160 E Pearson St.
Chicago, IL 60611-2124
Phone: 312-266-1000
Room Rate: $385 Single/Double
Room Block: Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association Block
The block will be released on september 15, 2026, or when the block has been filled.
Conference Venue
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
160 E Pearson St.
Chicago, IL 60611-2124
Phone: 312-266-1000
160 E Pearson St.
Chicago, IL 60611-2124
Phone: 312-266-1000
The Welcome Reception will be held in the Cafe', while WednesdAY's conference sessions will take PLACE in the ritz-carlton ballroom.
Trends Conference Sponsorship
Trends Conference Sponsorship highlights your company to WREAA's dynamic network of more than 2,000 alumni and friends of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Real Estate Program. Sponsors receive complimentary registration and are recognized on the WREAA website, in the newsletter and in all conference promotional materials. Companies may choose to sponsor at either the Patron or Event Sponsorship levels.
Contact the WREAA office at (262)746-9030 for available events. Download the sponsorship brochure for further information!
Registration Information
Early Bird Registration: Ends August 25, 2026
$550 Current WREAA Member
$675 Guest
Regular Registration: Ends September 18, 2026
$650 Current WREAA Member
$775 Guest
Registrations must be postmarked by September 18, 2026.
$550 Current WREAA Member
$675 Guest
Regular Registration: Ends September 18, 2026
$650 Current WREAA Member
$775 Guest
Registrations must be postmarked by September 18, 2026.
Please Note:
September 11, 2026, is the deadline to request a refund. Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing on or before September 11, 2026. Cancellations received by that date will receive a refund of the registration fee less a $100 administrative fee.
No refunds will be issued after September 11, 2026, including for no-shows.
September 11, 2026, is the deadline to request a refund. Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing on or before September 11, 2026. Cancellations received by that date will receive a refund of the registration fee less a $100 administrative fee.
No refunds will be issued after September 11, 2026, including for no-shows.
If you have any food restrictions or a disability and desire accommodations, please email the WREAA office or call us at 262-746-9030 by September 11, 2026. Requests will be confidential.
Conference Location
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 160 E Pearson St., Chicago, IL 60611-2124
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