WREAA – 2026 Wisconsin Real Estate Trends Conference
Tuesday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 7
The 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 Leaders
Scott Tillema
Crisis Negotiation Expert & Founder
Negotiation Excellence, LLC
The Capital Strikes Back: Commercial
Real Estate Outlook & Economic Trends
Spencer Levy
Global Client Strategist & Senior Economic Advisor
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!
Program Chair
Daniel Soyka, Northwestern Mutual Real Estate Investments
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
5:15–6:15 PM
Concurrent Asset Class Forums
Industrial Forum
Location:
The Ritz-Carlton
Multifamily Forum
Location:
The Ritz-Carlton
Alternates Forum
Location:
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.
6:30–8:30 PM
Welcome Reception and Registration
Location:
The Cafe
12th Floor
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
All events take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
160 East Pearson Street at Water Tower Place
7:30–8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast and Registration
Location:
Grand Foyer
Registration continues until 3:00 PM.
8:30 AM–3:00 PM
Refreshment Station
8:30–9:45 AM
Today’s Capital Markets: Debt, Equity, and Deal Flow
Location:
Ritz Carlton Ballroom
Industry experts examine how shifting market conditions are influencing deal flow, financing terms, and investment strategy.
Moderator
Danny Kaufman
Senior Managing Director, Debt Platform Leader, Chicago Office Co Head, JLL Capital Markets
Panelists
- Rita Lai, Head of Debt Capital Markets, Portfolio Manager at JP Morgan
- Richard Ratke, Managing Principal, Walton Street
- Mike Svets, Managing Director, Wells Fargo Bank
9:45–10:45 AM
Industry Insights
The Capital Strikes Back: Commercial Real Estate Outlook & Economic Trends
Speaker
Spencer Levy
Global Client Strategist & Senior Economic Advisor
Host of The Weekly Take Podcast
CBRE
Location:
Ritz Carlton Ballroom
Spencer Levy, Senior Economic Advisor and host of CBRE’s The Weekly Take, looks ahead through insights shaped by ongoing dialogue with the world’s leading real estate owners and occupiers. The presentation offers a forward-looking perspective on the economy and commercial real estate, connecting emerging macro signals with sector-level implications. Designed to challenge conventional thinking, it encourages practitioners to anticipate change, adapt with confidence, and position for opportunity in the coming years.
10:45–11:10 AM
Networking Break
Location:
Grand Foyer
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
12:20–1:20 PM
Networking Lunch
Location:
The Grand Foyer
1:30–2:30 PM
High-Stakes Communication: Lessons from a Crisis Negotiator for Real Estate Leaders
Speaker
Scott Tillema
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
Fireside Chat: 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
Matt Seitz
Executive Director, AI Hub for Business at Wisconsin School of Business
Featured Speaker
Mike Hart
Executive Director, Global CTO, Revantage, A Blackstone Portfolio Company
3:50–5:00 PM
Closing Networking Reception
Location:
The Cafe
