30th Annual Real Estate Conference Explores the Structural Shifts Reshaping the Industry

Celebrating its 30th year, the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate welcomed nearly 450 commercial real estate professionals, industry leaders, alumni and students to its Annual Real Estate Conference on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Centered on the theme, Adapting to Structural Shifts Transforming Real Estate, the conference continued its long-standing tradition of bringing together commercial real estate leaders to examine the issues shaping the industry while fostering the relationships that strengthen the profession.

The morning began with breakfast and relationship building, bringing together professionals from across the region alongside students from the University of San Diego and other universities. During the opening remarks, Stath Karras, Executive Director of the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate, recognized the University of San Diego team for winning the NAIOP University Challenge the evening before the conference. Joined by several family members, the students received well-deserved recognition for their outstanding achievement before the day's program began.

Keynote speaker Spencer Levy, Global Client Strategist and Senior Economic Advisor at CBRE, challenged attendees to embrace change rather than fear it. Drawing inspiration from the career of musician David Bowie, Levy illustrated how continual reinvention and adaptability have become essential traits for success in today's commercial real estate landscape. His presentation explored the evolving economic environment, emerging investment opportunities, and the importance of operational excellence, encouraging attendees to look beyond today's headlines and identify long-term value in a rapidly changing market.

The conference concluded with an engaging AI strategy discussion moderated by Stath Karras, featuring Jim Young, Founder and CEO of Realcomm; Jon Hamby, Managing Partner of Verde Equity Partners; and Rob Cain, SVP of Product at Dealpath and Managing Partner at Realcomm. Together, they explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping every phase of the commercial real estate lifecycle and challenged attendees to think beyond AI as simply another technology tool.

While the discussion highlighted AI's ability to streamline workflows and accelerate decision-making, the panel reinforced that leadership, sound judgment and strong relationships will remain essential to success in an increasingly AI-enabled industry.

Throughout the morning, a consistent message emerged: the commercial real estate industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, creating new opportunities for organizations and professionals willing to adapt, innovate and lead through change. From discussions on economic trends and investment strategies to the growing role of artificial intelligence, attendees gained practical insights they can apply within their own organizations and careers.

The Burnham-Moores Center extends its sincere appreciation to its conference sponsors, especially presenting sponsor U.S. Bank, whose support helped make this milestone event possible. As the industry continues to adapt to structural shifts, the Annual Real Estate Conference remains a cornerstone event for convening industry leaders, preparing future professionals and advancing meaningful conversations about the future of commercial real estate.