About the Event

Over the past 50 years, the built environment has endured multiple cycles of fluctuating supply and demand, challenging financing, economic downturns, and other market forces. Impacting its ability to embrace technological innovation. After each “hype” cycle – we’ve witnessed numerous ones in recent history – comes a reversal phase marked by stricter financial scrutiny. In 2009, our theme “Show Me the ROI” reflected a clear shift from the irrational exuberance of the pre-2008 era to a sharper focus on the actual financial performance of technology investments.

Now in 2025, we stand at a pivotal crossroads. On one side, the technology hype cycle that began in 2008 – fueled by abundant, inexpensive capital – has come to a close negatively impacting the trajectory for hundreds of PropTech start-ups. Simultaneously, a new wave of innovations (AI, 5G, immersive experiences, IoT, cybersecurity, and more) is emerging.

For those in the built environment, these technological shifts intersect with pressing industry challenges: the functional obsolescence of certain real estate asset types – especially office buildings coinciding with ongoing financial recalibrations of debt and value, changing migration trends, and significant urban issues such as homelessness and crime.

This convergence creates a tension between moving forward rapidly to embrace innovation and ensuring that new technologies withstand rigorous, justified financial scrutiny. At Realcomm, we’ve spent over 25 years emphasizing how technology, automation, and innovation can significantly impact operational efficiency, energy sustainability, and the occupant experience. That conviction holds stronger than ever in 2025.

As AI evolves and advanced communications accelerate, we are poised to see some of the most substantial changes in design, construction, leasing, operations, transactions, and general building use over what we've seen in the past century. Commercial and corporate real estate professionals across every sector must understand and begin to embrace these innovations quickly if they want their buildings to meet the needs of 21st-century occupants.

The greatest challenge lies in pursuing transformation without compromising sound financial analysis. In other words, the business case must be compelling and measurable, offering a clear Return on Investment. It is a fine balancing act—what some might call “threading the needle.” Yet success in implementing enterprise systems, smart building solutions, and experiential technologies depends on balancing calculated risk, thoughtful dialogue, firm commitment, precise execution, and a clear focus on tackling major challenges and spurring transformational change.

Buildings are central to our daily lives, and as technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, finding this balance is critical. We invite you to join us in June to continue the journey and explore this year’s theme: The New ROI: Return on Innovation – Aligning the Business Case with a Transformative Technology Strategy.